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Apple MacBook Air 13″ (M1) vs Apple MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019)

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, 2019)
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2020July 2019
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
Screen finishGlossy (Notebookcheck)–
Display featuresTrue Tone; 60 Hz refresh rate (Notebookcheck)True Tone; scaled resolutions of 1680 × 1050, 1440 × 900 or 1024 × 640
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 TB
CPU8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency coresDual-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 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 standard, configurable to 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB
CoolingFanless–
Battery and size
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 18 hoursUp to 13 hours
Battery capacity49.9 Wh49.9 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 Apple TV app video playback or 30 days standby; lithium-polymer. 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; Apple's identification image uses the same enclosure render for the 2018 and 2019 models
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-C 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 sensorRevised 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
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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