What are the differences between the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models? Which is the best choice for my needs?

Please note that the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models have been discontinued. These models were replaced by the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air line on July 20, 2011. For more recent comparison Q&As, please refer to the main MacBook Air Q&A page.

With even a quick glance, it is obvious that the "Late 2010" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "Core 2 Duo" 1.4 11-Inch and MacBook Air "Core 2 Duo" 1.86 13-Inch -- have different size displays and housings, but there also are a variety of external and internal differences. Although size alone is an important distinction, some other differences may be as important or even more important to many users.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - 11" MacBook Air, Right - 13" MacBook Air)

Both "Late 2010" MacBook Air models use extremely thin all aluminum cases. Both are 0.11 of an inch at the front and taper to 0.68 of an inch at the rear, but the 11-Inch model is 11.8 inches by 7.56 inches when closed whereas the 13-Inch model is 12.8 inches by 8.94 inches when closed to accommodate the larger display. The 11-Inch model weighs 2.3 pounds and the 13-Inch model weighs 2.9 pounds. Both models have displays that are high-resolution for their physical dimensions -- an 11.6" 1366x768 display for the 11-Inch model and a 13.3" 1440x900 display for the 13-Inch model.

Each has a "full size" keyboard -- essentially the same "chiclet" keyboard used by all previous MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models -- but these lack backlighting. The 11-Inch model also has smaller function keys with the power key integrated into the same row to save space. Both models also have glass "no button" trackpads with "inertial scrolling" support. Both likewise have integrated stereo speakers and an integrated "FaceTime" webcam.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Left - 13" MacBook Air, Right - 11" MacBook Air)

For the benefit of future readers, when such identification information may be useful, the model number on the bottom of the 11-Inch model is A1370 and the model number on the bottom of the 13-Inch model is A1369.

Connectivity is the same with one notable exception. Both models have AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, dual USB 2.0 ports, analog audio out (that also supports an iPhone/iPod touch headset with microphone), and a Mini DisplayPort that supports an external 30-Inch display (2560x1600) as well as a side mounted internal microphone. However, the 13-Inch model additionally has an integrated SD Card slot. Neither has Firewire, optical audio in/out, or Ethernet, although an external 10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter is available as a US$29 option. Neither supports a remote via IR, either.

Internally, there are some similarities between these systems. Both have 2 GB of memory onboard by default (but, thankfully, can be upgraded to 4 GB as a US$100 option only at the time of purchase), Mini-SATA connected flash memory for storage that is not intended to be upgraded, and non-removable battery designs (with an estimate of 5 hours of runtime for the 11-Inch model and 7 hours of runtime for the 13-Inch model).

However, there are notable processor and architecture differences. The 11-Inch model has a 1.4 GHz Core 2 Duo (SU9400) processor with 3 MB of "on chip" level 2 cache and an 800 MHz system bus. The 13-Inch model, on the other hand, has a 1.86 GHz Core 2 Duo (SL9400) processor with a 6 MB "on chip" level 2 cache and a 1066 MHz system bus.

The 11-Inch model is available with either 64 GB of flash storage (MC505LL/A) or 128 GB of flash storage (MC506LL/A), and the MC506LL/A configuration can be upgraded to a 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo (SU9600) processor as a US$100 option at the time of purchase. The 13-Inch model is available with 128 GB of flash storage (MC503LL/A) or 256 GB of flash storage (MC504LL/A) and the MC504LL/A configuration can be upgraded to a 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo (SL9600) processor as a US$100 option.

The differences between the "Late 2010" MacBook Air -- size, display size, connectivity, battery life, processor, technical architecture and configuration -- are summarized below:

	11-Inch	13-Inch
Processor Speed:	1.4 GHz*	1.86 GHz**
Processor Type:	Core 2 Duo (SU9400)*	Core 2 Duo (SL9400)**
On-Chip L2 Cache:	3 MB	6 MB
System Bus:	800 MHz	1066 MHz
Standard RAM:	2 GB	2 GB
Maximum RAM:	4 GB†	4 GB†
Internal Storage:	64 GB, 128 GB	128 GB, 256 GB
USB 2.0 Ports:	2	2
SD Card Slot:	No	Yes
Display Size:	11.6" Widescreen	13.3" Widescreen
Display Resolution:	1366x768	1440x900
Battery Life:	5 Hours	7 Hours
Dimensions:	.11-.68 x 11.8 x 7.56	.11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94
Weight:	2.3 Pounds	2.9 Pounds
Order Numbers:	MC505LL/A, MC506LL/A	MC503LL/A, MC504LL/A
Model Numbers:	A1370	A1369
Model Identifier:	MacBookAir3,1	MacBookAir3,2
Intro Price:	US$999, US$1199	US$1299, US$1599

* The MC506LL/A configuration of the 11-Inch model, which has 128 GB of storage, can be upgraded to a 1.6 GHz Core 2 Duo (SU9600) processor as a US$100 option at the time of purchase.

** The MC504LL/A configuration of the 13-Inch model, which has 256 GB of storage, can be upgraded to a 2.13 GHz Core 2 Duo (SL9600) processor as a US$100 option at the time of purchase.

† Either model can be upgraded to 4 GB of RAM at the time of purchase. This RAM is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.

Which is the best choice for my needs?

To determine which MacBook Air is best for your needs -- if either is best for you -- it is necessary to first decide which aspect of the purchase is most important. Both MacBook Air models are designed for those who place more importance on size and weight than performance, connectivity or expansion. If high performance, connectivity (Firewire, for example), or expansion (the ability to upgrade RAM and storage) are more important than weight or size, you would be better off considering a MacBook or MacBook Pro.

If size and weight are the most important purchasing criteria to you, and you do not do demanding tasks while on the go (high-end video editing, for example), then a MacBook Air could be a great choice. In general, the 11-Inch display -- although high-resolution for its physical size -- still is rather limiting and most who do more than basic multitasking likely would prefer a 13-Inch model as the difference between the two in size and weight is unlikely to be enough to be critical for most. The 13-Inch model also is noticeably faster, has better battery life and the SD Card slot could be useful as well.

For those who only do simple tasks on the go -- word processing, e-mail, web browsing, listening to music, and basic photo editing, for example -- or who are looking for a small portable notebook to complement a desktop Mac, the 11-Inch model could be perfect. If price is important, then the 11-Inch model is less expensive as well (although a used MacBook would be cheaper, still).

Regardless of the model you choose, the stock 2 GB of RAM is rather inadequate and upgrading to 4 GB of RAM at the time of purchase for US$100 would be wise.

Site sponsor PowerMax sells the MacBook Air models as well as the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines.

Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Air model to any other G3 or later Mac.