The Apple 13" MacBook Air features Apple's first chip designed specifically for Mac. The Apple M1 integrates the CPU, GPU, Neural Engine, I/O, and more into a single system on a chip (SoC). Tackle your projects with the fast 8-Core CPU and take on graphics-intensive apps and games with the 8-core GPU. Accelerate machine learning tasks with the 16-core Neural Engine. Complete with a silent, fanless design and up to 18 hours of battery life, the MacBook Air is still portable, but now a lot more powerful. It also has 16GB of unified RAM and a 1TB SSD.
With over 4 million pixels, the 13.3" Retina Display features a 2560 x 1600 screen resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio for 227 pixels per inch (ppi). The display also features up to 48 percent more color than the previous generation. With True Tone technology, the white balance automatically adjusts to match the color temperature of the light around you for a more natural viewing experience.
Connect to the internet via Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and use compatible wireless peripherals and accessories with Bluetooth 5.0. The two Thunderbolt 3 ports provide USB4 support and can even connect to the Apple Pro Display XDR in full 6K resolution. Apple also included studio-quality mics for clear recordings and calls. There is also Apple's latest camera ISP in the M1 chip, which enables sharper images and more details in shadows and highlights in video calls. Keep your MacBook Air secure with Secure Enclave in M1 as well as Touch ID. The backlit Magic Keyboard provides a comfortable typing experience, and the Force Touch trackpad allows for precise cursor control, pressure-sensing capabilities, and Multi-Touch gestures.
Please note that this MacBook Air can only output to a single external display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz.
This Mac comes preloaded with macOS. Updates can be downloaded for free via the Mac App Store. Please check Apple's website for upgrade eligibility.
Product SKU:
1604865
133_2560_x_1600_retina_ips_display:
8-Core GPU | 16-Core Neural Engine
apple_m1_8-core_cpu:
16GB Unified RAM | 1TB SSD
aspect_ratio:
16:10
color_gamut:
100% DCI-P3
finish:
Glossy
maximum_brightness:
400 nits / cd/m2
panel_type:
IPS-Type LCD
resolution:
2560 x 1600
size:
13.3"
touchscreen:
No
Community Notes
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I have this laptop from a previous B&H sale, from around Black Friday when both Gold and Space Gray were being offered at the same $1200 price point.
First and foremost, it's an excellent performing device. This $1200 machine absolutely beats the tar out of my $2400 late-2019 16" Macbook Pro Intel i7 + 16gb ram + 512gb ssd in terms of performance.
I've run the M1 Air as a daily driver since the beginning of December 2022 - admin tasks, software development, media creation, etc. I've been nothing but thrilled with it. Best dollar-to-weight-to-performance laptop I've ever owned. Sure, the M1/M2 Pro/Max/Ultra is faster -- but if you know you need that level of processing power, you probably already have one.
Comparing this to my not-so-old 16" MBP, the keyboard + trackpad + screen are exactly the same high quality and usability (albeit smaller for the screen size & trackpad). The machine is very lightweight, and it's nothing but an afterthought to carry around daily.
The M1 Air needs to be intentionally run long and hard to even get slightly warm, whereas the i7 MBP immediately becomes a space heater when on idle upon a fresh boot -- getting so warm that you can feel the heat on the underside of your desk. This also comes with a much better battery longevity -- the 16" Pro lasts 4-6 hours, the Air is 8+ hours. And I'm not changing my behavior to conserve battery life.
You can also charge it with a 30W USB-C adapter, whereas the 16" Pro should have a 100W adapter. 30W USB-C chargers are much cheaper and more widely available. Or you can use a single higher-capacity multi-port charger to run several devices -- something that you can't do with a Macbook Pro.
Unless you know you're not a heavy user, I think you're better off getting the 16gb ram version. Furthermore, the larger 1tb storage is a nice perk to have, but can easily be mitigated by external USB-C SSDs for general file storage.
Cons: As expected, the speakers and microphone in the M1 Air aren't as robust as they are in the 16" Macbook Pro line. And you do lose 2x USB-C ports. And you can only attach a single external monitor. Granted, when I plugged in an external monitor into the 16" pro, the fan kicks on as if I'm stressing the poor device -- the M1 Air handles it calmly. The webcam is below average, but that's the case with almost every laptop.
To combat the dip in audio fidelity, you can always plug in external speakers -- or use a wired/wireless headset. USB mics, such as the AT2020usb+ are available for $100 or less that give stellar performance. Though to be fair, the built-in mic is absolutely acceptable. Webcam? Nothing built-in is going to beat a $70-200 purpose-built external camera.
The M1 Air doesn't have a touchbar. Some people really liked that atrocious thing. More power to them, I suppose. No literally, they needed the power to run the obnoxious, glitchy feature.
Final note -- Get AppleCare. For $200 more, it covers you another 2 more years in case anything goes wrong. Given how highly integrated these machines are, you're taking a gamble otherwise.
How well does it handle VM? I'm thinking of getting one for PLC programming and AutoCAD electrical (not 3D). I know that a Windows machine is best for what I need, but Apple has the best trackpads.
You'll need a USB C dongle for HDMI out, $20ish on Amazon, mine works well with all sorts of monitors (that's Apple's secret to thin sleek laptops, you need to carry around big AC adapter and dongles)
You'll need a USB C dongle for HDMI out, $20ish on Amazon, mine works well with all sorts of monitors (that's Apple's secret to thin sleek laptops, you need to carry around big AC adapter and dongles)
not necessarily true, I only bring one USB-C charger for my phone, laptop, and cameras when travelling.
1TB is just enough to go without an external SSD, 512 that I currently have is a tad tight on space.
hdmi and separate ports are separate issues, a lot of peripherals would make it cumbersome.
I think the only issue with these is the external dual monitor capabilities. I use an m1 MBP 2020 and it doesn't support dual monitors, so unfortunately although it is an amazing laptop I just can't get enough use for it on desktop. Portability it is second to none, amazing battery and performance
I am new to Apple laptops but my daughter wants one for college. How is a MacBook air different than a mbp if both have m1 processor?
first of all, get this
second, MBP has some added features like a fan and touchbar on top for added functionality and longer battery life..... and IMO, not worth it.
key features are the 1tb and 16gb, you cant upgrade this stuff, and everything else is good enough. I use an MBA with lesser stuff to run a business, and run a ton of heavy apps, like making video campaigns and this thing is a monster. I have a 32gb windows machine with much heavier specs and the performance is better on the mac for basically everything. As long as you maintain space responsibly, this thing will last through her college years and then some. Battery life is insanely good, and USB-C can charge it up full quite fast.
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I am new to Apple laptops but my daughter wants one for college. How is a MacBook air different than a mbp if both have m1 processor?
my understanding is the Air line has passive cooling, Pro has active cooling (i.e. less CPU/GPU throttling) Also the Pro is slightly bigger screen, and has the option of that dynamic ribbon thing at the top of the keyboard. Pro has an extra CPU/GPU core I believe as well... since the active cooling can help...
spec wise, this unit is much better than an entry MBP (M1) at least in terms of memory/storage, but not sure whether the extra ram/storage help much with the throttling... but for college use... I'm tempted myself, for my daughter (also college), except she wants the stupid ribbon...
Last edited by araczynski May 2, 2023 at 01:12 PM.
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This isn't my wife's computer, it's mine. Compiling millions of lines of code and processing hundreds of gigs of data silently and without choking.
you're just incompetent
First and foremost, it's an excellent performing device. This $1200 machine absolutely beats the tar out of my $2400 late-2019 16" Macbook Pro Intel i7 + 16gb ram + 512gb ssd in terms of performance.
I've run the M1 Air as a daily driver since the beginning of December 2022 - admin tasks, software development, media creation, etc. I've been nothing but thrilled with it. Best dollar-to-weight-to-performance laptop I've ever owned. Sure, the M1/M2 Pro/Max/Ultra is faster -- but if you know you need that level of processing power, you probably already have one.
Comparing this to my not-so-old 16" MBP, the keyboard + trackpad + screen are exactly the same high quality and usability (albeit smaller for the screen size & trackpad). The machine is very lightweight, and it's nothing but an afterthought to carry around daily.
The M1 Air needs to be intentionally run long and hard to even get slightly warm, whereas the i7 MBP immediately becomes a space heater when on idle upon a fresh boot -- getting so warm that you can feel the heat on the underside of your desk. This also comes with a much better battery longevity -- the 16" Pro lasts 4-6 hours, the Air is 8+ hours. And I'm not changing my behavior to conserve battery life.
You can also charge it with a 30W USB-C adapter, whereas the 16" Pro should have a 100W adapter. 30W USB-C chargers are much cheaper and more widely available. Or you can use a single higher-capacity multi-port charger to run several devices -- something that you can't do with a Macbook Pro.
Unless you know you're not a heavy user, I think you're better off getting the 16gb ram version. Furthermore, the larger 1tb storage is a nice perk to have, but can easily be mitigated by external USB-C SSDs for general file storage.
Cons: As expected, the speakers and microphone in the M1 Air aren't as robust as they are in the 16" Macbook Pro line. And you do lose 2x USB-C ports. And you can only attach a single external monitor. Granted, when I plugged in an external monitor into the 16" pro, the fan kicks on as if I'm stressing the poor device -- the M1 Air handles it calmly. The webcam is below average, but that's the case with almost every laptop.
To combat the dip in audio fidelity, you can always plug in external speakers -- or use a wired/wireless headset. USB mics, such as the AT2020usb+ are available for $100 or less that give stellar performance. Though to be fair, the built-in mic is absolutely acceptable. Webcam? Nothing built-in is going to beat a $70-200 purpose-built external camera.
The M1 Air doesn't have a touchbar. Some people really liked that atrocious thing. More power to them, I suppose. No literally, they needed the power to run the obnoxious, glitchy feature.
Final note -- Get AppleCare. For $200 more, it covers you another 2 more years in case anything goes wrong. Given how highly integrated these machines are, you're taking a gamble otherwise.
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This isn't my wife's computer, it's mine. Compiling millions of lines of code and processing hundreds of gigs of data silently and without choking.
This isn't my wife's computer, it's mine. Compiling millions of lines of code and processing hundreds of gigs of data silently and without choking.
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1TB is just enough to go without an external SSD, 512 that I currently have is a tad tight on space.
hdmi and separate ports are separate issues, a lot of peripherals would make it cumbersome.
second, MBP has some added features like a fan and touchbar on top for added functionality and longer battery life..... and IMO, not worth it.
key features are the 1tb and 16gb, you cant upgrade this stuff, and everything else is good enough. I use an MBA with lesser stuff to run a business, and run a ton of heavy apps, like making video campaigns and this thing is a monster. I have a 32gb windows machine with much heavier specs and the performance is better on the mac for basically everything. As long as you maintain space responsibly, this thing will last through her college years and then some. Battery life is insanely good, and USB-C can charge it up full quite fast.
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spec wise, this unit is much better than an entry MBP (M1) at least in terms of memory/storage, but not sure whether the extra ram/storage help much with the throttling... but for college use... I'm tempted myself, for my daughter (also college), except she wants the stupid ribbon...
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Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
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