Apple MacBook Air M1 vs Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Core i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128gb Ssd, Space Gray
Buy the MacBook Air M1 if you want the faster, longer-lasting laptop. Its Apple silicon chip, 8GB of unified memory and 256GB SSD beat the Intel Core i3 and 128GB SSD in the other Air. The M1's lowest recent price was $285.55 on October 30, 2026, against $364.99 at Walmart for the Core i3 model. The Core i3 only makes sense if you need macOS for light web and email work and find it cheaper on the day you buy.
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Apple MacBook Air M1
4.5Choose the MacBook Air M1 if you want better performance, a 256GB SSD and up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Apple M1 chip is much faster than a 1.1GHz Core i3
- 256GB SSD holds twice as much as the 128GB model
- Up to 18 hours of battery life
- Fanless, so it runs silent
- Retina display at 2560 x 1600
- 720p webcam is dated
- Memory capped at 16GB
- M1 is several generations behind current Apple chips
- Only two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports
What separates them
| Apple MacBook Air M1 | Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Core i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128gb Ssd, Space Gray | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M1, 8 cores (4 performance, 4 efficiency) | Intel Core i3, 1.1GHz |
| Storage | 256GB SSD (up to 2TB available) | 128GB SSD |
| Memory | 8GB unified, up to 16GB | 8GB |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours, 15 hours web browsing | Not listed; older Intel Airs typically run far shorter |
| Cooling | Fanless, silent | Fan-cooled Intel design |
| Display | 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600 Retina | 13.3-inch, 2560 x 1600 |
| Camera | 720p FaceTime HD | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Price history
- Apple MacBook Air M1: lowest $285.55 on Oct 30.
- Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Core i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128gb Ssd, Space Gray: lowest $364.99 on Oct 28.
Prices at every store
Apple MacBook Air M1
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Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Core i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128gb Ssd, Space Gray
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Specs compared
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air M1 | Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Core i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128gb Ssd, Space Gray |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Screen Size | 13.3 inches | 13.3 in |
| CPU cores | 8 CPU cores total: 4 high-performance and 4 hig… | — |
| GPU cores | 8 GPU cores total | — |
| Neural Engine | 16 Neural Engine cores | — |
| Display size | 13.3” | — |
| Display resolution | 2560 x 1600 | — |
| Battery life | 18 hours | — |
| Web browsing battery | 15 hours | — |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | — |
What reviewers say
Apple MacBook Air M1
Owners and reviewers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across about 8,200 ratings. Most praise the silence, battery life and price for a Mac; the common complaints are the 8GB base memory and the soft webcam.
- Silent, fanless operation
- Battery lasts a full workday
- Fast for browsing, writing and video
- Good value as an entry Mac
- 8GB memory fills up with many browser tabs
- 720p camera is soft on calls
- Only two USB-C ports
- Bezels and design feel dated
Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch Core i3 1.1GHz 8GB RAM 128gb Ssd, Space Gray
Owners of the 2020 Intel Air generally like the screen, keyboard and light build for everyday tasks, but call the Core i3 and 128GB storage limiting. Most say it is fine for browsing and documents and frustrating for heavy multitasking or large files.
Questions and answers
- Which is faster, the MacBook Air M1 or the Core i3 Air?
- The M1 is much faster. Its 8 cores beat the 1.1GHz dual-core Core i3 in both single-task speed and multitasking.
- Which has better battery life?
- The M1 Air. Apple rates it at up to 18 hours, and 15 hours of web browsing. The Core i3 model's battery life is not listed and is shorter in practice.
- Is the Core i3 Air worth buying at $364.99?
- Only for light web, email and document work. The M1 has twice the storage and far more power, and its lowest recent price was $285.55 on October 30, 2026.
- Do both have the same screen?
- Yes. Both are 13.3-inch panels at 2560 x 1600, so sharpness is the same. The M1 adds Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
- How much storage do I get?
- The M1 model has a 256GB SSD. The Core i3 model has 128GB, which fills quickly with photos, apps and updates.
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