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Retina MacBook Air FAQ (A1932/A2179) @ EveryMac.com
Update Published May 16, 2022
Also see: MacBook Air Specs | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com's Retina MacBook Air Q&A answers questions about the 2018, 2019, and 2020 MacBook Air models with a 13-Inch high-resolution "Retina Display." The 2018 and 2019 models with a "butterfly" keyboard can be collectively identified by the A1932 model number. The 2020 models with a "scissor switch" keyboard can be collectively identified by the A2179 model number.
Questions range from "What are all the differences between the '2019' and '2020' Retina MacBook Air models? Is a Retina MacBook Air right for me?" to "How do you replace the battery in the Retina MacBook Air? Is it even possible?" and cover everything in between.
Please note that the "Late 2018", "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models all have been discontinued. This Q&A covers each Retina MacBook Air model in detail.
Earlier MacBook Air models (2008-2017) use similar thin designs, but have lower resolution 11" or 13" displays. They can be identified by the A1237, A1304, A1369, A1370, A1465, and A1466 model numbers.
Later MacBook Air models (2020+) look practically identical, but use a completely different internal architecture. They can be identified by the A2337 model number.
EveryMac.com offers a separate MacBook Air Q&A and Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A that covers these earlier and later models, respectively.
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Most Frequently Asked Retina MacBook Air Q&As:
What are all the differences between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models? Is a Retina MacBook Air right for me? Which "2020" Retina MacBook Air is best?
How fast is the "2020" MacBook Air compared to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast is it compared to recent MacBook Pro models?
What are all the differences between the Retina MacBook Air and 13" Retina MacBook Pro models?
How do you replace the battery in the Retina MacBook Air? Is it even possible?
How do you connect an external display to the Retina MacBook Air? What is the maximum supported resolution? Are adapters required?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Retina MacBook Air? Is it for me?
How do you connect external storage to the Retina MacBook Air? Which is the best option?
What type of power connector does the Retina MacBook Air use? Is it compatible with "MagSafe" power connectors?
What are all the differences between the older pre-Retina MacBook Air and the Retina MacBook Air?
What type of internal storage does the Retina MacBook Air use? Is it possible to upgrade it?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of the macOS is pre-installed on the Retina MacBook Air?
How do you transfer data from an older Mac to a Retina MacBook Air? Are adapters required?
How do you restore the operating system on the Retina MacBook Air?
Can the Retina MacBook Air run iPad apps?
Can the Retina MacBook Air run Windows?
Is it true that Apple has blocked Linux from working on the Retina MacBook Air?
Comparison & Performance Q&As:
What are all the differences between the "2019" and "2020" Retina MacBook Air models? Is a Retina MacBook Air right for me? Which "2020" Retina MacBook Air is best?
How fast is the "2020" MacBook Air compared to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast is it compared to recent MacBook Pro models?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2018" and "2019" Retina MacBook Air models? Is a Retina MacBook Air right for me?
How fast is the "2019" MacBook Air compared to 13" MacBook Pro models released around the same time? How fast is it compared to earlier MacBook Air models?
What are all the differences between the "Late 2018" Retina MacBook Air models?
How fast is the "Late 2018" Retina MacBook Air compared to the Retina MacBook and Retina MacBook Pro? How fast is it compared to the older pre-Retina MacBook Air?
What are all the differences between the Retina MacBook Air and 13" Retina MacBook Pro models?
What are all the differences between the Retina MacBook and Retina MacBook Air?
What are all the differences between the older pre-Retina MacBook Air and the Retina MacBook Air?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Retina MacBook Air? Is it for me?
Upgrades, Expansion, Battery, & Power Q&As:
What custom processor options are available for the Retina MacBook Air?
What type of RAM does the Retina MacBook Air use? Can it be upgraded?
What type of internal storage does the Retina MacBook Air use? Is it possible to upgrade it?
How do you connect external storage to the Retina MacBook Air? Which is the best option?
How do you connect an external display to the Retina MacBook Air? What is the maximum supported resolution? Are adapters required?
What type of video processor is provided by the Retina MacBook Air? Does it have "integrated" or "dedicated" video memory? Is it upgradable?
How do you replace the battery in the Retina MacBook Air? Is it even possible?
How do you connect the Retina MacBook Air to a wired Ethernet network? Is it possible?
What type of power connector does the Retina MacBook Air use? Is it compatible with "MagSafe" power connectors?
Design, Configuration & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the Retina MacBook Air?
Where can I buy a Retina MacBook Air?
What are the custom configuration options for the Retina MacBook Air?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Retina MacBook Air? Is it for me?
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