Model determination MacBook Air 13"

The MacBook Air 13" is a very popular, portable notebook. There are three basic models: The "original" with the model number A1237 or A1304, which can be recognized by the small flap on the side that hides the USB, headphone and monitor ports. And the newer model introduced from 2010 onwards, recognisable by the imprint "A1369" or "A1466" on the underside.

No longer legible? If your MacBook Air has an enclosure width of 32.5 cm, it's a 13-inch model. Does it have a real TrackPad button? Then it's the A1237 or A1304. If it has a full-length trackpad without an extra button, it's an A1369 or A1466.

The A1369 is available in two versions - both with the old MagSafe connector, which is slightly thicker than the newer MagSafe2 connector that was used in the A1465 models from 2012 onwards. On the A1466 model you have to distinguish again: Is it the one from mid 2012 or the one from 2013? Here you only have to look at the left side with the MagSafe and USB connectors: If there are two small holes for the microphone here, you have an A1466 from 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2017, with these all components are compatible.

We do not yet have the latest model from 2018 and 2019 in our stock. It can be recognized by the black display edge, similar to the MacBook Pro models, but still has the MacBook Air design.

This is a MacBook Air 13":

 

If your MacBook Air has a TrackPad key, you need to differentiate between the 2008 A1237 model and the A1304 model from late 2008 and early 2009 by opening the side connector panel: The A1237 has a rather wide specific monitor port (Micro DVI) that looks almost like the USB port, the A1304 has a more square port.

 

If your 13-inch MacBook Air doesn't have a TrackPad button or a small flap for connections, it's the newer model starting from 2010.

The 2010 model is easy to identify, it has no further function on the function key F5, as it has no keyboard illumination. All other models have the functions for the brightness of the keyboard illumination on the F5 and F6 keys.

The distinction between the 2011 model and the following can be made via the MagSafe connection: If MacBook Air has a backlit keyboard and the older, thicker MagSafe connector, it's the 2011 A1369, and the thinner MagSafe2 connector means the model is an A1466.

 

Now we still have to distinguish: If you have an A1466 from 2012 or one from 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2017, the 2012 model has a lot of small circular holes on the left side as microphone opening, the models from 2013 have two single holes. The models from 2013 on are 100% compatible with each other.

 

Once again, the following models can be distinguished:

• A1237: Trackpad button available, display connector looks almost like the USB connector
• A1304: Trackpad button available, display connector is much more square than the USB connector
• A1369 2010: Function key F5 without additional function = no background lighting of the keyboard
• A1369 2011: Keyboard with backlight but MagSafe (old) Connection
• A1466 2012: MagSafe2 connector and microphone with many small circular holes
• A1466 2013/2014/2015/2017: two single holes on the left side for microphone connection