MacBook Air (M1)
2020The chip transition that reset what a thin laptop could do.
Launch price $999Today $649
Then vs. now
9173The frontier has moved: down 18 points since 2020.
View as table
| Dimension | At launch | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 95 | 62 |
| Battery | 96 | 74 |
| Display | 85 | 67 |
| Build | 90 | 80 |
| Portability | 92 | 81 |
| Value | 90 | 74 |
Today-scores are recomputed against the current market frontier. How scoring works
Why the MacBook Air (M1) stands out
Where it beats the average laptop in its class.
Weight
1.29 kg
116.3× less than the 150 average
Battery life
Up to 18 h
35% more than the 13 average
Our verdict
The laptop that reset expectations for thin-and-light — fanless, all-day battery, and still fast enough for most people five years on.
Pros
- Silent, fanless design
- Outstanding battery life
- Still snappy for everyday work
Cons
- Only two Thunderbolt ports
- 8 GB base RAM ages poorly
- Older 400-nit display
Best for: Students and everyday users who want a bargain that still feels fast.
Specifications
Core
- Chip
- Apple M1 (8-core)
- RAM
- 8–16 GB
- Display
- 13.3" Retina, 400 nits
- Battery life
- Up to 18 h
Body
- Weight
- 1.29 kg
- Thickness
- 16.1 mm
- Ports
- 2× Thunderbolt 3
- Fan
- Fanless
