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
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
