MacBook Air Early 2015

The Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 13-Inch (Early 2015/Broadwell) is equipped with a 14-nm "Broadwell ULT" 1.6 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (5250U), which has two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, either 4 GB or 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (originally 4 GB with an 8 GB upgrade option at purchase, with 8 GB becoming standard on April 19, 2016), 128 GB or 256 GB of 4-Lane PCIe-based flash storage, and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 6000 graphics processor that shares system memory.

All of this is housed in a slim (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.96-pound aluminum case with an integrated 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard, and a 13.3-inch widescreen TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution).

Connectivity options include 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, analog audio out, a single "Thunderbolt" 2 port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot.

In comparison to its predecessor, this model appears virtually identical but features a more advanced processor and architecture, superior graphics, "twice as fast" 4x PCIe storage, and Thunderbolt 2 support. It also carries some different identifiers.

The Early 2015 13-inch MacBook Air continued its refinement with the introduction of the Broadwell CPU architecture. This brought modest processor gains but a more significant improvement in graphics performance with the Intel HD Graphics 6000. The most lauded upgrade was the move to PCIe-based storage that was up to twice as fast as the previous generation, making the system feel noticeably snappier. The addition of Thunderbolt 2 enhanced its professional appeal. This model was seen as the perfection of a classic design, delivering a robust and highly efficient experience that kept it a top seller for years.