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MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published May 19, 2014
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What are all the differences between the education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air and the standard 13-Inch "Mid-2011" MacBook Air?
Please note that the "Mid-2011" and "Early 2012" MacBook Air models both have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone considering either line on the used market. Please also note that officially Apple just refers to the education-only model as another "Mid-2011" MacBook Air even though it was released in February 2012.
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 was available for purchase by educational institutions, it was not sold to the general public or even to individuals with an educational affiliation. Furthermore, this model only was 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 was 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.
By contrast, 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 their serial numbers courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
External & Internal Similarities
With the exception of purchasing channel and method, configuration and serial number, 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 initial 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 was 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 traded a reduction in speed, memory, and storage to cut US$300 off the original price of each unit when purchased in quantities of five.
As academic institutions commonly are cash strapped, it no doubt was 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 have been purchased regardless. The reduction in speed and storage capacity for the education-only model likely were "worth it" in many contexts, but the reduction in RAM from 4 GB to just 2 GB -- which could not, and cannot, be upgraded later -- was a serious compromise at the time, and even more so on the used market now.
At the time of introduction, EveryMac.com warned that because these education-only "Early 2012" MacBook Air models have less RAM, they effectively would have a reduced lifespan and new systems would have to be purchased sooner. Consequently, the "per year cost" of the education-only MacBook Air likely would 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.
Also at the time of introduction, EveryMac.com noted that given discount prices for earlier 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.
Although these models now are discontinued, EveryMac.com still would recommend buying a MacBook Air with more than 2 GB of RAM if your budget allows it.
MacBook Air Purchase & Sale Options
There are any number of places to purchase a new or used MacBook Air. However, purchasing from a quality seller with extensive experience in the Mac market -- and after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Air models with free shipping. Other World Computing and JemJem sell used and refurb MacBook Air models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Air, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Air models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Air models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Air model to any other G3 or later Mac.
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