MacBook Air Mid-2013

The Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 11-Inch (Mid-2013/Haswell) is powered by a 22-nm "Haswell" 1.3 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (4250U), which includes two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of onboard 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (upgradable to 8 GB at the time of purchase, but not later), either 128 GB or 256 GB of PCIe-based flash storage, and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 5000 graphics processor that shares system memory.

All of this is housed in a slim (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.3-pound aluminum case featuring an integrated 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard, and an 11.6-inch widescreen TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "glossy" display with a native resolution of 1366x768.

Connectivity options include 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, analog audio out, a "Thunderbolt" port, and two USB 3.0 ports. It does not have an internal Ethernet port, though an external Thunderbolt adapter was available as a US$29 option.

Compared to its predecessor, this model features a nearly identical external enclosure but incorporates a significantly more efficient processor and architecture, leading to substantially improved battery life. It also boasts faster graphics (which allocate more system memory), faster storage, and faster Wi-Fi.

The Mid-2013 11-inch model was hailed as a massive leap forward, primarily due to the new Haswell processor. This chip delivered not only a noticeable performance improvement but, more importantly, a revolutionary jump in battery life, allowing for all-day use. The upgrade to faster PCIe-based storage was another key enhancement, making the system feel incredibly snappy. Furthermore, the introduction of 802.11ac Wi-Fi provided faster wireless speeds. Despite its small size, this model was seen as a powerful and highly practical ultraportable, setting a new standard for the category.