MacBook Air 13” 2018 vs. Intel MacBook Air - Specs Comparison

Here is a comparison between the specifications of the MacBook Air 13” 2018 and Intel MacBook Air, including differences in the chip, memory, storage, display, battery, ports, and more.

MacBook Air 13” 2018 vs. Intel MacBook Air

The MacBook Air 13” 2018 features the 7W 8th Generation Intel Amber Lake Y dual-core Intel Core i5-8210Y with the boost speed up to 3.60 GHz. While the 2020 Intel MacBook Air features the 9W 10th Generation Intel Ice Lake dual-core Intel Core i3-1000NG4 up to quad-core Intel Core i7-1060NG7 with the boost speed up to 3.80 GHz.

If you are in the market looking for a laptop and don't know what's the difference between the 13.3″ MacBook Air 13” 2018 and the 13.3″ Intel MacBook Air (2020), we have a detailed tech specs comparison between both devices for you to check out here.

MacBook Air 13” 2018 vs. Intel MacBook Air: Specs Comparison

MacBook Air 13” 2018 image

MacBook Air 13” 2018

Intel MacBook Air image

Intel MacBook Air

Key Features
What's new

New Design

It's now even more compact and portable with the all-new distinct smaller wedge-shaped design. It's 10% thinner, 17% less volume, and a quarter pound lighter than the previous generation. It is also available in three different colors.

New Retina Display

Adopting the latest retina display, MacBook Air now displays over 4 million pixels with more color that make text, images, and animation look sharp and smooth.

Touch ID & Apple T2 Chip

You can now log in to your MacBook Air much faster, easier, and more securely than ever before with the latest Touch ID sensor with deep integration with Apple T2's Secure Enclave chip.

Latest Intel Core Processors

It's powered by an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with faster-integrated graphics, faster 2133 MHz LPDDR3 memory, and faster SSD.

Thunderbolt 3 ports

The most versatile port now arrives in MacBook Air, it allows you to charge your notebook, have lightning-fast data transfer, output 5K displays, and support external GPUs (eGPUs).

3rd-generation butterfly keyboard

Larger trackpad.

More immersive audio experience.

New Magic Keyboard
Featuring a new Magic Keyboard with a refined scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm of key travel and a stable key feel, as well as an Apple-designed rubber dome that stores more potential energy for a responsive key press.
Double the Storage
The 2020 models now come with double the storage of the previous generation starting at 256GB up to 512GB. It can be also configured to even more storage up to 2TB SSD.
Better Performance
It now comes with the 10th Gen Intel Ice Lake processors with Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.8GHz. The integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics also gain 80 percent than the previous generation.
More and Faster Memory
The new 2020 models come with 8GB of 3733 LPDDR4X memory and can be configured up to 16GB.
Built-in Security and Privacy
With the Apple T2 Security Chip, Apple’s own custom-designed second-generation silicon, MacBook Air checks that software loaded during the boot process has not been tampered with and provides on-the-fly data encryption for everything stored on the SSD.
More
  • A three-mic array for more clear voice capture for FaceTime calls.
  • The industry-best Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and multi-touch navigation.
  • Thunderbolt 3 ports for data transfer, charging and video output in a single connector.
  • Support for up to a 6K external display, a first for MacBook Air.
  • Advanced stereo speakers for immersive and wide stereo sound.
What's missing

Has fewer ports

No MagSafe

AvailabilityMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Released20182020
Release Info
  • Available on October 30, 2018
  • Announced on March 18th, 2020
  • Available on March 18th, 2020
Pricing
  • $1,199
    Intel Core i5 8210Y | 8GB RAM | 128GB SSD
  • $1,399
    Intel Core i5 8210Y | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $999 - Intel Core i3 | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD
  • $1,299 - Intel Core i5 | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD
DisplayMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Size13.3 Inches13.3 Inches
InfoRetina display
  • 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1440 by 900
    • 1024 by 640
  • 16:10 aspect ratio
Retina display
  • 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2560-by-1600 native resolution at 227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors
  • Supported scaled resolutions:
    • 1680 by 1050
    • 1440 by 900
    • 1024 by 640
  • 16:10 aspect ratio
  • True Tone technology
ExteriorMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Size Comparison
Dimensions11.97” x 8.36” x 0.16 - 0.61” (304.1 mm x  212.4 mm x 4.1 – 15.6 mm)
  • Width: 11.97 inches (30.41 cm)
  • Depth: 8.36 inches (21.24 cm)
  • Height: 0.16–0.63 inch (0.41–1.61 cm)
WeightStarting at 2.75 pounds (1.25 kg)Starting at 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg)
Colors
GoldSpace GraySilver
GoldSpace GraySilver
Keyboard and TrackpadBacklit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) individual LED-backlit keys, including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
Backlit Magic Keyboard with:
  • 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys including 12 function keys and 4 arrow keys in an inverted-T arrangement
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Force Touch trackpad for precise cursor control and pressure-sensing capabilities; enables Force clicks, accelerators, pressure-sensitive drawing, and Multi-Touch gestures
PortsTwo Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) ports with support for:
  • Charging
  • DisplayPort
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB‑C) ports with support for:
  • Charging
  • DisplayPort
  • Thunderbolt (up to 40Gb/s)
  • USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10Gb/s)
Internal SpecsMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Processor
  • 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8210Y
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.60 → 3.60 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 7W
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1000NG4
    2 cores, 4 threads, 1.10 → 3.20 GHz, 4MB SmartCache, 9W
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1030NG7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 1.10 → 3.50 GHz, 6MB SmartCache, 10W
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1060NG7
    4 cores, 8 threads, 1.20 → 3.80 GHz, 8MB SmartCache, 10W
Integrated Graphics
  • 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-8210Y
    Intel® UHD Graphics 617
    24 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1000NG4
    Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics
    48 Execution Units, 300 → 900 MHz
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1030NG7
    Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics
    64 Execution Units, 300 → 1050 MHz
  • 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1060NG7
    Intel® Iris® Plus Graphics
    64 Execution Units, 300 → 1100 MHz
Discrete GraphicsSupport for Thunderbolt 3–enabled external graphics processors (eGPUs)
Memory
8GB
Configurable to 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
8GB
Configurable to 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X onboard memory
Storage
128GB256GB
Configurable to 512GB or 1TB SSD
256GB512GB
Configurable to 1TB and 2TB SSD
ConnectivityMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Wi-Fi
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
  • 802.11ac Wi‑Fi wireless networking
  • IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2 wireless technologyBluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
BatteryMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Size50.3 Wh lithium‑polymer battery49.9 Wh lithium‑polymer battery
Battery Life
  • Up to 12 hours wireless web
  • Up to 13 hours Apple TV app video playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
  • Up to 11 hours wireless web
  • Up to 12 hours Apple TV app movie playback
  • Up to 30 days of standby time
Power Supply30W USB‑C Power Adapter30W USB‑C Power Adapter
SoftwareMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
OSShipped with macOS MojaveShipped with macOS Catalina
Built-in Apps
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
PhotosiMovieGarageBandPagesNumbersKeynoteSiriSafariMailFaceTimeMessagesMapsNewsStocksHomeVoice MemosNotesCalendarContactsRemindersPhoto BoothPreviewMusicPodcastsTVBooksApp StoreTime MachineFind MyQuickTime Player
Camera & AudioMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Camera720p FaceTime HD camera720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • Three microphones
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
  • Stereo speakers
  • Wide stereo sound
  • Support for Dolby Atmos playback
  • Three-mic array with directional beamforming
  • 3.5 mm headphone jack
MiscMacBook Air 13” 2018Intel MacBook Air
Sensors
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
Security
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
  • Touch ID sensor
  • Apple T2 Security Chip
In the box
  • MacBook Air
  • 30W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
  • MacBook Air
  • 30W USB‑C Power Adapter
  • USB-C Charge Cable (2 m)
WarrantyYour MacBook Air comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.Your MacBook Air comes with 90 days of complimentary technical support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase AppleCare+ to extend your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and add up to two incidents of accidental damage coverage, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other repairable damage, plus applicable tax.
MoreVideo Support
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
    • One external display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at up to 60Hz
    • Up to two external displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at up to 60Hz
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 2 output using adapters (sold separately)
Video Support
  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:
    • One external 6K display with 6016-by-3384 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors, or
    • One external 5K display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors, or
    • Up to two external 4K displays with 4096-by-2304 resolution at 60Hz at millions of colors
  • Thunderbolt 3 digital video output
    • Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C
    • VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

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