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Apple MacBook Air 13″ (M1) vs Apple MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleMacBook Air 13″ (M1)AppleMacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018)
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2020November 2018
Display
Screen size13.3″13.3″
Resolution2560 × 16002560 × 1600
PanelIPS LCDIPS LCD
Refresh rate60 Hz–
Brightness400 nits–
TouchscreenNoNo
Display typeRetina display; LED-backlit with IPS technologyRetina display; LED-backlit IPS; 16:10 aspect ratio
Pixel density227 ppi227 ppi
Colour rangeWide colour (P3); millions of coloursMillions of colours; sRGB rather than P3 (Macworld)
Screen finishGlossy (Notebookcheck)–
Display featuresTrue Tone; 60 Hz refresh rate (Notebookcheck)–
Performance
ProcessorApple M1Intel Core i5-8210Y
CPU cores82
CPU threads–4
Graphics7-core GPU or 8-core GPUIntel UHD Graphics 617
Memory8 GB or 16 GB8 GB or 16 GB
Storage128 GB to 2 TB128 GB to 1.536 TB
CPU8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency coresEighth-generation dual-core Intel Core i5 at 1.6 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz, with 4 MB L3 cache; exact i5-8210Y identifier confirmed by Macworld and TechRadar. Apple T2 Security Chip with secure boot and storage encryption.
GPU7-core or 8-core GPUIntel UHD Graphics 617; compatible Thunderbolt 3 external graphics processors supported
AI engine16-core Neural Engine–
Memory typeUnified memory, configurable to 16 GB8 GB or 16 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
Storage typeSSD; consumer models started at 256 GB, configurable to 512 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB. Apple's US education price list also lists an 8 GB / 128 GB model with a 7-core GPU.PCIe-based SSD; 128 GB or 256 GB standard, configurable to 512 GB or 1.5 TB
CoolingFanless–
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 18 hoursUp to 13 hours
Battery capacity49.9 Wh50.3 Wh
Weight1.29 kg1.25 kg
Thickness16.1 mm15.6 mm
Width × depth304.1 × 212.4 mm304.1 × 212.4 mm
Battery life detailUp to 15 hours wireless web; lithium-polymer batteryUp to 12 hours wireless web, 13 hours iTunes movie playback or 30 days standby; lithium-polymer. Apple's tests used 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. Chassis height tapers from 4.1 to 15.6 mm; weight varies by configuration and manufacturing process.
Charger30 W USB-C Power Adapter30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C charging
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosure100% recycled aluminium enclosure
ColoursGold, Silver, Space GreyGold, Silver, Space Grey
Connections
Ports2 × Thunderbolt 3, headphone jack2 × Thunderbolt 3, headphone jack
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.04.2
Webcam720p FaceTime HD720p FaceTime HD
Operating systemmacOSmacOS
Port detailTwo Thunderbolt / USB 4 ports with charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 up to 40 Gb/s, and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; 3.5 mm headphone jackTwo Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports with charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt up to 40 Gb/s and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; 3.5 mm headphone jack
External displaysOne external display at up to 6K 60 Hz alongside the built-in displayOne display at 5120 × 2880 and up to 60 Hz, or two at 4096 × 2304 and up to 60 Hz alongside the built-in display; VGA, HDMI and Thunderbolt 2 through separate adaptors
KeyboardBacklit Magic Keyboard; 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys with 12 function keys and inverted-T arrow keys; ambient light sensorThird-generation butterfly mechanism (Macworld); 78 US or 79 ISO individually LED-backlit keys, 12 function keys and four arrow keys; ambient light sensor
TrackpadForce Touch trackpadForce Touch trackpad with pressure sensing and Multi-Touch gestures
SpeakersStereo speakers; wide stereo sound; Dolby Atmos playbackStereo speakers; wide stereo playback
MicrophonesThree-mic array with directional beamformingThree microphones
BiometricsTouch IDTouch ID
In the boxMacBook Air, 30 W USB-C Power Adapter, USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)MacBook Air; 30 W USB-C Power Adapter; USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)

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