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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published March 12, 2024
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What custom processor options are available for the Apple Silicon MacBook Air?
For the MacBook Air "M1" and "M2" models, there are -- or were -- no custom processor options available, but a number of different processors were available by default:
| MacBook Air | Default Processor |
| "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU 13" | 3.2 GHz M1 (8-Core CPU/7-Core GPU) |
| "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13" | 3.2 GHz M1 (8-Core CPU/8-Core GPU) |
| "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13" | 3.49 GHz M2 (8-Core CPU/8-Core GPU) |
| "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13" | 3.49 GHz M2 (8-Core CPU/10-Core GPU) |
| "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15" | 3.49 GHz M2 (8-Core CPU/10-Core GPU) |
Unlike earlier models, the current entry-level MacBook Air "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13", can be custom configured with an Apple M3 8-Core CPU/10-Core GPU for an extra US$100.
What type of RAM does the Apple Silicon MacBook Air use? Can it be upgraded?
By default, Apple Silicon MacBook Air models have either 8 GB or 16 GB of "unified" RAM integrated with the SoC. No Apple Silicon MacBook Air models can have the RAM upgraded after the initial system purchase.
The original M1-powered MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU 13-Inch and MacBook Air "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch -- are configured with 8 GB of RAM by default, but originally could be custom configured with 16 GB of RAM for an additional US$200 at the time of system purchase.
Subsequent MacBook Air models with M2 processors -- the MacBook Air "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch, "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch, and "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15-Inch -- are configured with 8 GB of RAM by default, but can, or could, be custom configured at the time of purchase with 16 GB of RAM for an additional US$200 or 24 GB of RAM for an additional US$400.
The latest MacBook Air models with M3 processors -- the MacBook Air "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13", "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13", and "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15" -- are configured by default with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, but also can be custom configured with as much as 24 GB of RAM at additional cost.
What type of internal storage does the Apple Silicon MacBook Air use? Is it possible to upgrade it?
The Apple Silicon MacBook Air models all have onboard storage.
Different models can, or could, be custom configured at the time of initial system purchase with larger internal storage than was available by default at additional cost:
| MacBook Air | Default SSD | Custom SSD |
| "M1" 8 CPU/7 GPU 13-Inch | 256 GB | 512 GB 1 TB 2 TB |
| "M1" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch | 512 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
| "M2" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch | 256 GB | 512 GB 1 TB 2 TB |
| "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch | 512 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
| "M2" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15-Inch | 256 GB 512 GB |
1 TB 2 TB |
| "M3" 8 CPU/8 GPU 13-Inch | 256 GB | 512 GB 1 TB 2 TB |
| "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 13-Inch | 512 GB | 1 TB 2 TB |
| "M3" 8 CPU/10 GPU 15-Inch | 256 GB 512 GB |
1 TB 2 TB |
The storage in all Apple Silicon MacBok Air models cannot be upgraded after purchase.
How do you connect external storage to the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? Which is the best option?
The Apple Silicon MacBook Air models have two Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports (USB-C connectors) and can directly use any USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 storage.
For maximum performance, it is best to use Thunderbolt 3-based storage. One good option is the affordable, portable, and rugged OWC Envoy Pro FX from site sponsor Other World Computing.
Photo Credit: Other World Computing (OWC Envoy Pro FX)
Although performance will be slower, it also is possible to use an older USB 3.0 (USB-A connector) or Thunderbolt 2 hard drive with an Apple USB-C to USB adapter (MJ1M2AM/A) or an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C to Thunderbolt 2) (MMEL2AM/A) adapter, respectively.
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