Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.7 13" (Mid-2011) Specs
Identifiers: Mid-2011 - MC965LL/A* - MacBookAir4,2 - A1369 - 2469
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The Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.7 13" (Mid-2011/Thunderbolt) features a 32-nm "Sandy Bridge" 1.7 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (2557M) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of onboard 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded after purchase), 128 GB or 256 GB of flash storage, and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with system memory.
This all is packed in a razor thin (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.96 pound, aluminum case with an integrated "FaceTime" video camera, a backlit full-size keyboard and an 13.3" widescreen TFT LED backlit active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution).
Connectivity includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual USB 2.0 ports and analog audio out as well as an SDXC card slot and a new "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. It lacks internal Ethernet (an external USB adapter was offered as a US$29 option) and lacks Firewire and optical audio in/out as well.
Compared to its predecessor, this model has a very similar external enclosure, although it has the aforementioned Thunderbolt port, a backlit keyboard, and is slightly heavier. Internally, however, it has a faster processor, architecture and RAM as well as improved wireless capabilities.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models? Which is the best choice for my needs?
- What are the differences between the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models and the "Late 2010" MacBook Air that they replaced?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax.
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Fix This Mac -- free diagnosis and affordable 24-hour repair at site sponsor Mission Repair.
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| Introduction Date: |
July 20, 2011 |
Discontinued Date: |
June 11, 2012 |
| Details: |
The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2011. |
| Processors: |
1 (2 Cores) |
Geekbench: |
5266/5952* |
| Details: |
*These Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively.
Geekbench 2 benchmarks reflect results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. Individual user-submitted benchmarks can vary, but an average can be useful to get an idea of the relative performance of different Macs. You also might be interested in combing through all Geekbench user-submissions for Macs with the MacBookAir4,2 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, please see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
|
| Processor Speed: |
1.7 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core i5 (I5-2557M) |
| Details: |
This model is powered by a 32 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i5 "Sandy Bridge" (I5-2557M) processor which includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 3 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel).
This system also supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" -- which "automatically increases the speed of the active cores" to improve performance when needed (up to 2.7 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize four "virtual cores" or "threads."
Also see: How fast are the 'Mid-2011' MacBook Air models compared to one another and to earlier MacBook Air models? How fast are these models compared to the 'Early 2011' MacBook Pro models? |
| Custom Speeds: |
1.8 GHz (Core i7) |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| Details: |
A 1.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-2677M) processor was available via custom order for the MC966LL/A configuration (which has 256 GB of flash storage by default) as a US$100 upgrade.
As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.
Also see: How much faster are the custom configured Core i7-powered "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models than the stock Core i5-powered models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost? |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| System Bus Speed: |
5 GT/s* |
Cache Bus Speed: |
1.7 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
*This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 5 GT/s. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
EFI Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k x2 |
L2/L3 Cache: |
256k x2, 3 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 3 MB of shared level 3 cache. |
| RAM Type: |
DDR3 SDRAM* |
Min. RAM Speed: |
1333 MHz |
| Details: |
Shipped standard with 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM onboard. |
| Standard RAM: |
4 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
4 GB* |
| Motherboard RAM: |
4 GB* |
RAM Slots: |
None |
| Details: |
*There are no RAM slots. 4 GB of RAM is soldered onboard and cannot be upgraded later. |
| Video Card: |
HD Graphics 3000 |
VRAM Type: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
This model has an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system. |
| Standard VRAM: |
384 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
384 MB |
| Details: |
Apple reports that "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs" and that the minimum graphics usage is 384 MB for this model. |
| Built-in Display: |
13.3" Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
1440x900 |
| Details: |
13.3" color widescreen TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1440 by 900 native resolution. Apple reports that it also supports "1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio".
Site sponsor Mission Repair offers free diagnosis of MacBook Air hardware problems and a 24-hour repair service for this MacBook Air. Display repacement, keyboard replacement, and more are provided. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
2560x1600 |
| Details: |
The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2560x1600. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
128 GB, 256 GB |
Int. HD Interface: |
Mini SATA (6 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
The MC965LL/A configuration has 128 GB of flash storage and the MC966LL/A configuration has 256 MB of flash storage. Apple did not offer other capacities via custom configuration and it is not intended to be upgraded after purchase either.
Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
Site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Air. |
| Standard Optical: |
None* |
Standard Disk: |
None |
| Details: |
*The MacBook Air does not have an internal optical drive. An external MacBook Air SuperDrive is offered for US$79. It writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, reads DVD at 8X, writes CD-R at 24X, writes CD-RW at 16X, and reads CD at 24X.
Also see: What are the capabilities of the external SuperDrive available for the MacBook Air? Can it be used with other Macs? |
| Standard Modem: |
None |
Standard Ethernet: |
None* |
| Details: |
*No MacBook Air models have an internal Ethernet port. However, an external Apple USB 10/100Base-T Ethernet adapter is offered as a US$29 option. |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n |
Standard Bluetooth: |
4.0 |
| Details: |
802.11n (802.11a/b/g capable as well) Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 standard. As a minor point, Apple quietly stopped referring to the wireless networking (802.11n) as AirPort Extreme with this MacBook Air.
Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a? |
| USB Ports: |
2 (2.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
None |
| Details: |
Two 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, no Firewire ports.
Also see: What is a good USB hub to use with the MacBook Air while traveling? |
| Expansion Slots: |
SD Card (SDXC) |
Expansion Bays: |
None |
| Details: |
This model has an SDXC Card slot. |
| Incl. Keyboard: |
Full-size |
Incl. Input: |
Trackpad (Inertial) |
| Details: |
Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)." Unlike earlier MacBook Air models, it is backlit.
For this MacBook Air, Apple no longer formally mentions the trackpad capabilities, but it is fully multi-touch capable. |
| Case Type: |
Notebook |
Form Factor: |
MacBook Air 13" |
| Details: |
This MacBook Air uses a razor thin aluminum case design with a "catchless" magnetic latch. |
| Apple Order No: |
MC965LL/A* |
Apple Subfamily: |
Mid-2011 |
| Details: |
*MC965LL/A is configured with 128 GB of flash storage and MC966LL/A is configured with 256 GB of flash storage. Both are configured with 4 GB of RAM. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1369 (EMC 2469) |
Model ID: |
MacBookAir4,2 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1369 Model Number, the 2469 EMC Number, and the MacBookAir4,2 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section. |
| Battery Type: |
50 W h Li-Poly |
Battery Life: |
7 Hours |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this model has a "built-in 50-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" and the company claims that it can provide up to 7 hours of "wireless web" use. Apple additionally notes that it provides "up to" 30 days of standby time.
Also see: What is the battery life of the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? Do the faster custom-configured Core i7 models have inferior battery life than the standard models? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.7 (11A2063) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current |
| Details: |
This system fully supports the current version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion." |
| Minimum Windows: |
7 (32-Bit)* |
Maximum Windows: |
7 (64-Bit)* |
| Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp only formally supports the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 on this model.
Also see: Which Intel Macs are capable of booting the 32-Bit and 64-Bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7? Which are supported by Apple's Boot Camp? |
| MacOS 9 Support: |
None |
Windows Support: |
Boot/Virtualization |
| Details: |
Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A. |
| Dimensions: |
.11-.68 x 12.8 x 8.94 |
Avg. Weight: |
2.96 lbs (1.35 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - minimum height to maximum height by width by depth, (0.3 cm-1.7 cm, 32.5 cm, 22.7 cm). |
| Original Price (US): |
US$1299, US$1599 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$1050-US$1250 |
| Details: |
This MacBook Air was offered with 128 GB of flash storage (MC965LL/A) for US$1299 and 256 GB of flash storage (MC966LL/A) for US$1599. Both are equipped with 4 GB of RAM.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
Global original prices for the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.7 13" (Mid-2011) in 24 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.
For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.
Original Prices - North America
| Canada: |
C$1299, C$1599 |
United States: |
US$1299, US$1599 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€1249, €1499 |
Belgium: |
€1279, €1579 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 9,799, 11,999 |
Finland: |
€1279, €1579 |
| France: |
€1249, €1499 |
Germany: |
€1249, €1499 |
| Ireland: |
€1279, €1579 |
Italy: |
€1249, €1499 |
| Netherlands: |
€1249, €1499 |
Norway: |
NOK 10.290, 12.590 |
| Portugal: |
€1279, €1579 |
Spain: |
€1249, €1499 |
| Sweden: |
SEK 11.995, 14.995 |
Switzerland: |
CHF 1'349, 1'649 |
| United Kingdom: |
£1099, £1349 |
|
|
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 9,998, 12,498 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$9,998, HK$12,488 |
| Japan: |
¥110,800, ¥138,800 |
Singapore: |
S$1,688, S$2,088 |
| Taiwan: |
NT$41,900, NT$51,900 |
|
|
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$1449, A$1799 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$1999, NZ$2499 |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Air models follow.
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