Apple MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.0 13" (Mid-2012) Specs
Identifiers: Mid-2012 - BTO/CTO - MacBookAir5,2 - A1466 - 2559
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The MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.0 13-Inch (Mid-2012/USB 3.0) technically is a "configure-to-order" configuration of the MD232LL/A MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13-Inch (Mid-2012), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding larger level 3 cache), these two models are identical.
The Apple MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.0 13" (Mid-2012/USB 3.0) features a 22-nm "Ivy Bridge" 2.0 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (3667U) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded after purchase), 256 GB of flash storage, and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares system memory.
This all is packed in a razor thin (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.96 pound, aluminum case with an integrated 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard and a 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, analog audio out, a "Thunderbolt" port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot. It lacks internal Ethernet, although an external Thunderbolt adapter was offered as a US$29 option.
Compared to its predecessor, this model has a very similar external enclosure, although it has the aforementioned USB 3.0 ports and a new thinner and wider "MagSafe 2" power connector. Internally, however, it has a faster processor, architecture, graphics, RAM, and storage.Also see:
- What are all the differences between the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models?
- What are all the differences between the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models and the "Mid-2011" MacBook Air that they replaced?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax.
Accessorize This Mac and much more at site sponsor MegaMacs.
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives & more.
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: |
June 11, 2012 |
Discontinued Date: |
June 10, 2013 |
| 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 2012. |
| Processors: |
1 (2 Cores) |
Geekbench: |
6785/7644* |
| 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 MacBookAir5,2 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: |
2.0 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core i7 (I7-3667U) |
| Details: |
This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i7 "Ivy Bridge" (I5-3667U) processor which includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 4 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 3.2 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize four "virtual cores" or "threads."
Also see: How much faster are the custom processor configured "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models than the stock models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost? |
| Custom Speeds: |
N/A |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| System Bus Speed: |
5 GT/s* |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.0 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, 4 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 4 MB of shared level 3 cache. |
| RAM Type: |
DDR3L SDRAM* |
Min. RAM Speed: |
1600 MHz |
| Details: |
Shipped standard with 4 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM onboard. |
| Standard RAM: |
4 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
8 GB* |
| Details: |
*4 GB of RAM is onboard. It could be upgraded at the time of purchase to 8 GB as a US$100 option, but it cannot be upgraded later.
Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs. |
| Motherboard RAM: |
4 GB* |
RAM Slots: |
None |
| Details: |
*There are no RAM slots. 4 GB of RAM is onboard. It could be upgraded at the time of purchase to 8 GB as a US$100 option, but it cannot be upgraded later. |
| Video Card: |
HD Graphics 4000 |
VRAM Type: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
This model has an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system. |
| Standard VRAM: |
384 MB* |
Maximum VRAM: |
512 MB* |
| Details: |
*Apple and Intel do not report the minimum memory usage for the Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor. However, with 4 GB of RAM standard, 384 MB of memory is reserved for graphics use. With the 8 GB RAM upgrade, 512 MB of memory is reserved for graphics. |
| 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 replacement, keyboard replacement, and more are provided. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring* |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
2560x1600 (x2) |
| Details: |
*Although Apple makes no mention of it, third-parties have discovered that this model can simultaneously support two external displays up to 2560x1600 "daisy chained" via Thunderbolt. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
256 GB |
Int. HD Interface: |
Proprietary* (6 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
This model also could be equipped with 512 GB of storage at the time of purchase. Originally, this storage upgrade was an additional US$500, but Apple lowered the price to US$300 on February 13, 2013. The storage is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, but it is quite possible.
*As first discovered by site sponsor OWC, the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models use a different connector than previous models.
Also see: How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the "Mid-2012" 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 was 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, for the "Mid-2012" models, an Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet adapter was offered for US$29. |
| 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.
Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a? |
| USB Ports: |
2 (3.0) |
Firewire Ports: |
None |
| Details: |
Two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5 Gbps), no Firewire ports. |
| 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) with ambient light sensor."
The multi-touch trackpad supports "inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities." |
| 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: |
BTO/CTO |
Apple Subfamily: |
Mid-2012 |
| Apple Model No: |
A1466 (EMC 2559) |
Model ID: |
MacBookAir5,2 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1466 Model Number, the 2559 EMC Number, and the MacBookAir5,2 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. It is bundled with a 45W MagSafe 2 power adapter.
Also see: What is the battery life of the "Mid-2012" MacBook Air models in "real-world" usage tests? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.7.4 (11E2520) |
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: |
8 (64-Bit)* |
| Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp 4 supports the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 on this model. To run Windows 8, Boot Camp 5 is required, which only supports the 64-bit version. The 32-bit version of Windows 8 is not supported. |
| 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$1599* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$1200-US$1400 |
| Details: |
*This configure-to-order MacBook Air has the same 4 GB of RAM and 256 GB of flash storage as the MD232LL/A configuration, but has been custom configured with a 2.0 GHz "Core i7" processor for an additional US$100, which originally brought the total to US$1599. On February 13, 2013, Apple dropped the price of the standard configuration by US$100, so this custom configuration became US$1499 total.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
Global original prices for the MacBook Air "Core i7" 2.0 13" (Mid-2012) 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$1649 |
United States: |
US$1599* |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€1649 |
Belgium: |
€1679 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 12,899 |
Finland: |
€1699 |
| France: |
€1699 |
Germany: |
€1699 |
| Ireland: |
€1699 |
Italy: |
€1729 |
| Netherlands: |
€1699 |
Norway: |
NOK 13.290 |
| Portugal: |
€1699 |
Spain: |
€1699 |
| Sweden: |
SEK 15.775 |
Switzerland: |
CHF 1'699 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 11,248 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$12,208 |
| Japan: |
¥136,200 |
Singapore: |
S$2,228 |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$1814 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$2559 |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Air models follow.
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1 (Thunderbolt) 
None 
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2 (3.0)
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1 (Internal)
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None*
1*
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