MacBook Air facts for kids
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| Developer | Apple |
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| Product family | MacBook |
| Type | Laptop |
| Release date | January 29, 2008 |
| Operating system | macOS |
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| Marketing target | Consumer / Home purpose |
| Related | MacBook, MacBook Pro |
The MacBook Air is a popular series of laptop computers made by Apple. Since 2008, these laptops have been known for being super thin and light. They come in a cool aluminum case and usually have a 13-inch or 15-inch screen. The MacBook Air is often a great choice for students and families because it's more affordable than the powerful MacBook Pro models.
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Early MacBook Air Models (Intel Processors)
For many years, MacBook Air laptops used Intel processors. These models were known for their slim design and good performance.
The First MacBook Air (2008-2009)
The very first MacBook Air was shown by Steve Jobs in January 2008. It was super thin, only about 19 millimeters thick! This made it one of the thinnest laptops in the world at that time.
It had a 13.3-inch screen and a special trackpad that understood multi-touch gestures. This meant you could pinch to zoom or swipe with multiple fingers. To keep it so thin, it didn't have a built-in CD/DVD drive. You could buy an external drive or use software to access another computer's drive.
Later in 2008, Apple updated this model with a faster processor and better graphics. They also offered a solid-state drive (SSD) option, which is much faster than traditional hard drives.
Redesigned Models (2010-2017)
In 2010, the MacBook Air got a big redesign. It became even thinner with a cool tapered shape. Apple also introduced a smaller 11.6-inch model alongside the 13.3-inch one. Both models came with SSD storage as standard, making them very fast.
Over the years, these models received many updates. They got faster Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, better graphics, and features like Thunderbolt ports for connecting accessories. They also gained USB 3.0 ports and improved Wi-Fi for faster internet.
A special feature was the MagSafe charging port. It used magnets, so if someone tripped over the charging cable, it would just detach safely. This helped prevent the laptop from falling.
The 11-inch model was stopped in 2016. The 13-inch model continued to be sold until 2019. It was the last MacBook Air to have older USB-A ports and a screen that wasn't a Retina display.
Retina Display and Modern Features (2018-2020)
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In 2018, the MacBook Air got a big upgrade with a beautiful Retina display. This screen made everything look super sharp and colorful. It also included Touch ID, which let you unlock your laptop with your fingerprint.
These models were thinner and lighter than before. They used USB-C ports, which are smaller and more versatile. They also came in new colors like space gray and gold.
In 2020, the last Intel-based MacBook Air models were released. They featured improved processors and a much better keyboard, called the Magic Keyboard. This keyboard was more comfortable and reliable for typing.
MacBook Air with Apple's Own Chips
In recent years, Apple started making its own special computer chips, called Apple silicon. These chips are designed to make Macs work even faster and more efficiently.
The M1 MacBook Air (2020-2024)
In November 2020, Apple introduced the MacBook Air with its first custom chip, the M1. This was a big change! The M1 chip made the MacBook Air incredibly fast and gave it amazing battery life.
One cool thing about the M1 MacBook Air is that it didn't need a fan to stay cool. This made it super quiet. It also supported faster Wi-Fi 6 and USB4 connections. People loved how powerful and long-lasting this laptop was.
M2, M3, and M4 MacBook Air (2022-Present)
In June 2022, Apple launched a redesigned MacBook Air with the new M2 chip. This model looked different, with a flat design similar to the more powerful MacBook Pro. It also brought back the magnetic MagSafe charger, which was a popular feature.
The M2 MacBook Air had a slightly larger 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a better 1080p FaceTime camera, and an improved sound system. It also came in new colors like Starlight and Midnight.
In June 2023, Apple added a larger 15-inch screen option for the M2 MacBook Air. This gave users more space to work and play.
March 2024 saw the release of the M3 MacBook Air. It kept the same great design but offered even faster performance. A new feature was the ability to connect two external displays when the laptop lid was closed.
Most recently, in March 2025, Apple updated the MacBook Air again with the powerful M4 chip. This model continued the same design but added support for two external displays even with the laptop's screen open. It also introduced a new Sky Blue color and an upgraded 12MP Center Stage camera. The M4 MacBook Air can last up to 20 hours on a single charge, making it the longest-lasting Air battery yet.
Operating Systems
MacBook Air laptops run on Apple's own operating system, called macOS. Each year, Apple releases a new version of macOS with exciting new features. While newer MacBook Air models can run the latest macOS versions, older models might not be able to update to the very newest software.
Intel-based MacBook Airs also had a special feature called Boot Camp. This allowed users to install and run Windows on their Mac. However, MacBook Airs with Apple's M-series chips do not support Boot Camp.
Current MacBook Air Models
| Release date | Model | Processor |
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| March 12, 2025 | MacBook Air (13 in (330 mm) , 2025) | Apple M4 |
| MacBook Air (15 in (380 mm), 2025) |
Timeline
| Timeline of portable Macintoshes |
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See also
In Spanish: MacBook Air para niños
- MacBook family
- MacBook
- MacBook (12-inch)
- MacBook Pro
- iBook
Images for kids
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The original 2008 MacBook Air
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Left side of a second generation MacBook Air. From left to right, MagSafe 2 power connector, USB port, headphone jack and built-in microphone.
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MacBook Air (third generation)
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MacBook Air (M1, 2020)
 | Laphonza Butler |
 | Daisy Bates |
 | Elizabeth Piper Ensley |
