MacBook Air Mid-2011

Initially a "configure-to-order" option for the MC966LL/A MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.7 13-Inch (Mid-2011), the MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.8 13-Inch (Mid-2011/Thunderbolt) was later also sold as a standard configuration. Aside from the processor and its corresponding larger level 3 cache, these two models are identical.

The Apple MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.8 13" (Mid-2011/Thunderbolt) is powered by a 32-nm "Sandy Bridge" 1.8 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (2677M) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 4 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of non-upgradable onboard 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, 256 GB of flash storage, and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with system memory.

This is all housed in a slim (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.96-pound aluminum case with an integrated "FaceTime" video camera, a backlit full-size keyboard, and a 13.3-inch widescreen TFT LED-backlit active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution).

Connectivity includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual USB 2.0 ports, analog audio out, an SDXC card slot, and a new "Thunderbolt" port. This port is backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort and supports an external display at 2560x1600 while also passing an audio signal. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals using the Thunderbolt standard, providing up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions. It lacks internal Ethernet (a US$29 external USB adapter was an option) and also omits Firewire and optical audio in/out.

Compared to its predecessor, this model features a very similar external enclosure, though it includes the aforementioned Thunderbolt port, a backlit keyboard, and is slightly heavier. Internally, however, it boasts a faster processor, architecture, and RAM, along with improved wireless capabilities.

This top-of-the-line Core i7 configuration of the Mid-2011 13-inch MacBook Air was a performance-focused upgrade. The faster 1.8 GHz Sandy Bridge processor provided a noticeable speed advantage for processor-intensive tasks, appealing to power users and professionals. Coupled with the newly added Thunderbolt port and the return of the backlit keyboard, it was seen as a highly capable and versatile machine. It solidified the MacBook Air's transformation from a stylish but underpowered device into a serious contender that could serve as a primary computer for a wide range of demanding users.