MacBook Air Mid-2013

The Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 13-Inch (Mid-2013/Haswell) includes a 22-nm "Haswell" 1.3 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (4250U) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of onboard 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (which was upgradable to 8 GB at the time of purchase, but not later), 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 enclosed in a razor-thin (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.96-pound aluminum case that features an integrated 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard, and a 13.3-inch widescreen TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "glossy" display with a native resolution of 1440x900.

Connectivity options consist of 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, analog audio out, a "Thunderbolt" port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot. It lacks an internal Ethernet port, though an external Thunderbolt adapter was offered as a US$29 option.

In comparison to its predecessor, this model maintains a virtually identical external enclosure but is equipped with a much more efficient processor and architecture, which results in significantly longer battery life. Additionally, it offers faster graphics (that reserve more system memory), faster storage, and faster Wi-Fi capabilities.

This 13-inch model from mid-2013 was a landmark release, primarily celebrated for its phenomenal battery life, thanks to the energy-efficient Haswell processor. Users and reviewers were astounded by its ability to last through a full workday and beyond on a single charge. Performance also received a significant boost from the new CPU and the much faster PCIe-based flash storage. Combined with faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi and the addition of a second microphone for improved audio, this MacBook Air was widely acclaimed as one of the best laptops ever made, offering an almost perfect blend of portability and endurance.