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Apple Silicon MacBook Air FAQ @ EveryMac.com
Update Published March 18, 2024
Also see: MacBook Air Specs | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com's Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A answers questions about the 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024 MacBook Air models with 13" or 15" displays and powered by an Apple Silicon M1, M2, or M3 processor.
These MacBook Air models can be collectively identified by the A2337, A2681, A2941, A3113, and A3114 model numbers.
Questions range from "What are all the differences between the 'M3' Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are all the differences between these models and the earlier 'M2' MacBook Air?" to "How many external displays does each Apple Silicon MacBook Air support? Are there any adapters or 'hacks' to use more displays than are offically supported?" and cover everything in between.
Please note that most configurations of the Apple Silicon MacBook Air are current. This Q&A covers all of the MacBook Air models in detail whether available new or only used.
The "original" MacBook Air models (2008-2017) use similar thin designs, but always are silver color, have tapered cases, and lower resolution 11" or 13" displays.
They can be identified by the A1237, A1304, A1369, A1370, A1465, and A1466 model numbers.
"Retina" MacBook Air models (2018-2020) look practically identical to the original "Apple Silicon" MacBook Air (A2337), but all have 13" displays and use a completely different internal architecture powered by Intel processors.
These models can be identified by the A1932 and A2179 model numbers.
EveryMac.com offers a separate MacBook Air Q&A and Retina MacBook Air Q&A that covers these earlier models.
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Most Frequently Asked Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&As:
What are all the differences between the "2024 M3" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are all the differences between these models and the earlier "2022/2023 M2" MacBook Air?
What are all the differences between the 13" and 15" Apple Silicon MacBook Air "M3" and the 14" MacBook Pro "M3"? Which is best for my needs?
How many external displays does each Apple Silicon MacBook Air support? Are there any adapters or 'hacks' to use more displays than are offically supported?
Is it possible to replace the battery in the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? How?
What are all the differences between the "2020 M1" Apple Silicon MacBook Air and the also "2020" MacBook Air it replaced?
What are all the differences between the "2022 M2" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are the differences between these models and the earlier "2020 M1" MacBook Air?
How do you connect external storage to the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Which is the best option?
Can the Apple Silicon MacBook Air run iPad apps?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Is it for me?
How do you connect the Apple Silicon MacBook Air to a wired Ethernet network? Is it possible?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of the macOS is pre-installed on the Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
How do you transfer data from an older Mac to an Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Are adapters required?
How do you restore the operating system on the Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
Can the Apple Silicon MacBook Air run iPad apps?
Can the Apple Silicon MacBook Air run older macOS apps?
Can the Apple Silicon MacBook Air run Windows?
Comparison & Performance Q&As:
What are all the differences between the "2024 M3" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are all the differences between these models and the earlier "2022/2023 M2" MacBook Air?
What are all the differences between the 13" and 15" Apple Silicon MacBook Air "M3" and the 14" MacBook Pro "M3"? Which is best for my needs?
What are all the differences between the 13" and 15" Apple Silicon MacBook Air "M2" models?
What are all the differences between the "2022 M2" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? What are the differences between these models and the earlier "2020 M1" MacBook Air?
What are all the differences between the "M2" 13" MacBook Pro and "M2" 13" MacBook Air? Which is best for my needs?
What are all the differences between the "2020 M1" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models? Which is best?
What are all the differences between the "2020 M1" Apple Silicon MacBook Air and the also "2020" MacBook Air it replaced?
What are all the differences between the "2020 M1" Apple Silicon MacBook Air and 13" MacBook Pro? Which is best for my needs?
How fast are the "2022 M2" and "2023 M2" Apple Silicon MacBook Air models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to earlier MacBook Air models and the MacBook Pro?
How fast is the "2020 M1" Apple Silicon MacBook Air compared to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast is it compared to the MacBook Pro?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Is it for me?
Upgrades, Expansion, Battery, & Power Q&As:
What custom processor options are available for the Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
What type of RAM does the Apple Silicon MacBook Air use? Can it be upgraded?
What type of internal storage does the Apple Silicon MacBook Air use? Is it possible to upgrade it?
How do you connect external storage to the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Which is the best option?
How many external displays does each Apple Silicon MacBook Air support? Are there any adapters or 'hacks' to use more displays than are offically supported?
What type of video processor is provided by the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Does it have "integrated" or "dedicated" video memory? Is it upgradable?
Is it possible to replace the battery in the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? How?
How do you connect the Apple Silicon MacBook Air to a wired Ethernet network? Is it possible?
What type of power connector does the Apple Silicon MacBook Air use? Is it compatible with "MagSafe" power connectors?
Design, Configuration & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
Where can I buy a Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
What are the custom configuration options for the Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
What are the "pros and cons" of the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Is it for me?
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