Apple MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014) vs Apple MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014) compared with MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010)
AppleMacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014)AppleMacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010)
Overview
ReleasedApril 2014October 2010
Display
Screen size11.6″11.6″
Resolution1366 × 7681366 × 768
PanelTN LCDTN LCD
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeGlossy LED-backlit widescreen LCD, millions of colours; TN panel confirmed by Geeknetic's exact-model review. Refresh rate and brightness unpublished by Apple.Glossy LED-backlit widescreen LCD, millions of colours; TN panel confirmed by Notebookcheck's exact-model review. Refresh rate and brightness unpublished by Apple.
Performance
ProcessorIntel Core i5-4260U or Intel Core i7-4650UIntel Core 2 Duo SU9400 or Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600
CPU cores22
CPU threads4–
GraphicsIntel HD Graphics 5000NVIDIA GeForce 320M
Memory4 GB or 8 GB (better)2 GB or 4 GB
Storage128 GB to 512 GB (better)64 GB to 128 GB
CPUDual-core Intel Core i5-4260U at 1.4 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 2.7 GHz and 3 MB shared L3 cache; configurable to Core i7-4650U at 1.7 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 3.3 GHz and 4 MB shared L3 cache. Exact processor identities confirmed by Geeknetic and EveryMac.Dual-core Intel Core 2 Duo SU9400 at 1.4 GHz or optional SU9600 at 1.6 GHz, with 3 MB shared L2 cache and 800 MHz frontside bus. Exact identities confirmed by Notebookcheck and EveryMac; the faster processor is offered only on the higher storage base, as documented by Macworld.
GPUIntel HD Graphics 5000 integrated graphicsNVIDIA GeForce 320M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory
Memory type4 GB of 1600 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory, configurable to 8 GB2 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 onboard memory, configurable to 4 GB
Storage type128 GB or 256 GB PCIe-based flash storage; the 256 GB base is configurable to 512 GB. Processor and memory upgrades apply to either base.64 GB flash storage with SU9400; 128 GB base supports SU9400 or SU9600. Configurations preserve the base-specific upgrade restrictions; memory cannot be upgraded after purchase.
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 9 hoursUp to 5 hours
Battery capacity38 Wh (better)35 Wh
Weight1.08 kg1.06 kg (better)
Thickness17 mm17 mm
Width × depth300 × 192 mm299.5 × 192 mm
Battery life detailBuilt-in 38 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 9 hours wireless web, 9 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby under Apple's test conditions. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.Built-in 35 Wh lithium-polymer battery; up to 5 hours wireless productivity or 30 days standby under Apple's test conditions. Reference weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger45 W MagSafe 2 Power Adapter with cable management45 W MagSafe Power Adapter with cable management
MaterialsAluminium enclosure; tapered thickness from 3 to 17 mmAluminium enclosure; tapered thickness from 3 to 17 mm
ColoursSilverSilver
Connections
Ports2 × USB-A, Thunderbolt, MagSafe 2, headphone jack2 × USB-A, MagSafe, headphone jack
Wi-Fi802.11ac AirPort Extreme (draft specification); compatible with 802.11a/b/g/n802.11n; compatible with 802.11a/b/g
Bluetooth4.02.1 + EDR
Webcam720p FaceTime HDFaceTime camera
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo USB 3 ports up to 5 Gb/s, Thunderbolt up to 10 Gb/s with native Mini DisplayPort output, MagSafe 2 and headphone jack supporting the Apple iPhone headset remote and microphone; no card reader. DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI require separate adapters.Two USB 2.0 ports up to 480 Mb/s, Mini DisplayPort output, MagSafe and headphone jack supporting the Apple iPhone headset remote and microphone; no card reader. DVI, VGA and dual-link DVI require separate adapters.
External displaysBuilt-in screen plus one external display up to 2560 × 1600, both with millions of colours; dual display and video mirroring, HDMI audio and video through a compatible adapterBuilt-in screen plus one external display up to 2560 × 1600, both with millions of colours; dual display and video mirroring
KeyboardFull-size backlit keyboard with 78 US or 79 ISO keys, 12 function keys, four arrow keys and ambient light sensorFull-size keyboard without backlighting
TrackpadMulti-Touch trackpad with inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap and dragMulti-Touch trackpad
SpeakersStereo speakersStereo speakers
MicrophonesDual microphonesOmnidirectional microphone
In the boxMacBook Air, power adapter, AC wall plug and power cord; OS X Mavericks and iLife; iWork is free for qualifying new Mac purchasesMacBook Air, power adapter, AC wall plug and power cord; Mac OS X Snow Leopard, iLife ’11, Software Reinstall Drive and documentation

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