What are all the differences between the education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air and the standard 13-Inch "Mid-2011" MacBook Air?

Externally, the education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 13-Inch (Early 2012) -- and the standard 13-Inch "Mid-2011" MacBook Air -- the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.7 13-Inch (Mid-2011) -- are identical.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13-Inch MacBook Air, Right)

However, there are internal configuration differences that merit evaluation. It also is worth noting that the "Early 2012" MacBook Air only is available for purchase by educational institutions, it is not available to the general public or even to individuals with an educational affiliation. Furthermore, this model only is available for educational institutions to purchase in minimum quantities of five for US$4995 (US$995 each).

For purposes of identification, EveryMac.com also can help one differentiate these models, too.

Configuration Differences

The standard 13-Inch MacBook Air is configured with a 1.7 GHz Core i5 (I5-2557M) processor, 4 GB of RAM with 384 MB allocated to video, and either 128 GB or 256 GB of storage. The education-only 13-Inch MacBook Air has a slower 1.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-2467M) processor and just 2 GB of RAM with 256 MB allocated to video as well as just 64 GB of storage.

Identification Differences

Unfortunately, the 13-Inch MacBook Air "Mid-2011" and education-only "Early 2012" models share model numbers and even the 2469 EMC number on hardware. In software, these models also share the MacBookAir4,2 model identifier.

Consequently, these models only can be uniquely identified by the last four characters of their serial numbers courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.

External & Internal Similarities

With the exception of purchasing channel and method, configuration and serial number "snippet," these models essentially are identical.

Both models use the same razor thin all aluminum case -- 0.11 of an inch at the front and tapers to 0.68 of an inch at the rear -- and weigh 2.96 pounds. Both have the same 13.3" 1440x900 display, same full-size "chiclet-style"backlit keyboard, glass "no button" trackpad with "inertial scrolling" support, integrated stereo speakers and integrated "FaceTime" webcam.

Connectivity is the same, as well. Both models have 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual USB 2.0 ports, analog audio out, a side mounted internal microphone, an SDXC-capable SD Card slot, and a "Thunderbolt" port that is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and likewise supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal as well. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.

Likewise, internal architectures are the same. Both models have "Sandy Bridge" Core i5 processors of differing clockspeeds, 3 MB of shared level 3 cache, a 5 GT/s "Direct Media Interface," and Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processors that share memory with the system (384 MB of RAM is allocated for the "Mid-2011" model and 256 MB of RAM is allocated for the "Early 2012" model).

Both have Mini-SATA connected flash memory for storage that is not intended to be upgraded, onboard 1333 MHz DDR3 memory that cannot be upgraded after purchase at all, and non-removable battery designs with an estimate of 7 hours of runtime.

Comparison Chart

The differences between the standard "Mid-2011" MacBook Air and education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air -- processor, configuration, and price -- are summarized below:

	Mid-2011 13"	Early 2012 13" (Edu)
Processor Speed:	1.7 GHz*	1.6 GHz
Processor Type:	Core i5 (I5-2557M)*	Core i5 (I5-2467M)
Shared L3 Cache:	3 MB	3 MB
Direct Media Interface:	5 GT/s	5 GT/s
Standard RAM:	4 GB	2 GB
Maximum RAM:	4 GB**	2 GB**
Internal Storage:	128 GB, 256 GB	64 GB
Graphics Processor:	HD Graphics 3000	HD Graphics 3000
Shared VRAM:	384 MB	256 MB
Display Size:	13.3" Widescreen	13.3" Widescreen
Display Resolution:	1440x900	1440x900
Battery Life:	7 Hours	7 Hours
SDXC Card Slot:	Yes	Yes
Dimensions:	.11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94	.11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94
Weight:	2.96 Pounds	2.96 Pounds
Order Numbers:	MC965LL/A, MC966LL/A	BH302LL/A†
EMC Number:	2469	2469
Model Identifier:	MacBookAir4,2	MacBookAir4,2
Intro Price:	US$1299, US$1599	US$995†

* A 1.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-2677M) processor also is available via custom order for the 13-Inch MC966LL/A configuration (which has 256 GB of flash storage by default) as a US$100 upgrade. EveryMac.com also has documented this BTO/CTO configuration as its own model.

** RAM in both models is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.

† BH302LL/A refers to a "five pack" of these systems for US$4995 (US$995 each).

Comparison Summary

Ultimately, the education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air model has traded a reduction in speed, memory, and storage to cut US$300 off the price of each unit when purchased in quantities of five.

As academic institutions commonly are cash strapped, it no doubt is tempting for school boards or administrators to purchase the education-only "Early 2012" model over a standard "Mid-2011" MacBook Air, at least when five or more systems would be purchased regardless. The reduction in speed and storage capacity for the education-only model are likely to be "worth it" in many contexts, but the reduction in RAM from 4 GB to just 2 GB -- which cannot be upgraded later -- is a serious compromise.

Having less RAM likely will reduce the lifespan of the machine and require the purchase of new systems sooner. Consequently, the "per year cost" of the education-only MacBook Air likely will be higher than the the standard MacBook Air with more RAM or another Mac with RAM that can be upgraded after the initial purchase of the system.

In particular, given discount prices for discontinued MacBook Air, MacBook and MacBook Pro models, some might find bulk purchases on the used market to be an equally good deal or better deal than the education-only model.

The education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air only is available direct from Apple and for purchase by educational institutions in quantities of five or more. Site sponsor PowerMax sells both new and used MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models individually -- and in bulk -- free of sales tax.

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