MacBook Air (11-inch and 13-inch, Mid 2011)
Sandy Bridge power, a backlit keyboard and Thunderbolt for the Air.
Overview
The Mid 2011 update gave both Air sizes dual-core Core i5 processors at 1.6 or 1.7 GHz, Intel HD Graphics 3000 and a Thunderbolt port. The keyboard gained backlighting, and the camera was upgraded to FaceTime HD.
The base 11-inch model started at 999 dollars with 2 GB of memory and 64 GB of flash; the 13-inch started at 1,199. Both used the same slim wedge design as 2010, and the new Thunderbolt connector could also be used with an optional external display.
Mac OS X Lion came preinstalled, and the model proved so popular that the Air became the best-selling Mac notebook in the following years.
Why it mattered
The update that made the Air fast enough to replace the white MacBook and push Apple into mainstream ultraportables.
At a glance
- Announced
- July 20, 2011
- Released
- July 20, 2011
- Discontinued
- June 11, 2012
- Launch price
- $999
- Chip / processor
- Intel Core i5, 1.6 or 1.7 GHz
- Display
- 11.6" or 13.3"
- Storage
- 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- Dual-core Core i5
- Thunderbolt port
- Backlit keyboard
- Mac OS X Lion preinstalled
- 11-inch and 13-inch models
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Display
- Size
- 11.6-inch or 13.3-inch
- Type
- LED-backlit widescreen
- Resolution
- 1366 x 768 (11-inch), 1440 x 900 (13-inch)
Chip
- Chip
- Intel Core i5, 1.6 or 1.7 GHz
- CPU cores
- 2
Memory
- RAM
- 2 GB or 4 GB
- Storage options
- 64 GB to 256 GB flash
Camera
- Camera
- 720p FaceTime HD
Software
- Launch OS
- Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
How it compares
More in the MacBook Air family
MacBook Air (Original, 2008)
The laptop that came out of an envelope.
MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010)
A wedge-shaped 11-inch laptop with instant-on flash storage.
MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2010)
The 13-inch Air gained a higher-resolution display and an SD slot.
MacBook Air (Mid 2013)
Haswell brought all-day battery life to the Air.
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
A Retina screen and Touch ID finally reached the Air.
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020)
The last Intel MacBook Air brought the Magic Keyboard to the entry level.
MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
The first Apple silicon MacBook Air, fast and fanless.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022)
A flat redesign with a bigger display, MagSafe and a 1080p camera.
MacBook Air (15-inch, M2, 2023)
The first 15-inch Air: a big screen with a thin body.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M3, 2024)
M3 speeds and dual-display support for the 13-inch Air.
MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024)
The big Air gets M3 and a faster wireless chip.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)
16 GB of memory as standard and a new Sky Blue color.
MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025)
The bigger Air got M4, 16 GB and a better camera.
MacBook Air (13-inch, M5, 2026)
M5 and 512 GB of storage arrive on the 13-inch Air.
MacBook Air (15-inch, M5, 2026)
The large Air gets the M5 chip, 512 GB and Wi-Fi 7.