Mac · The Aluminum Age · 2010
MacBook Air (2010)
The Air found its identity: all-flash, instant-on, and finally affordable, with a tiny 11.6" model. It quietly became the laptop most people actually wanted.
MacBook Air (2010): key facts
When was the MacBook Air (2010) released?
The MacBook Air (2010) was released in October 2010. Apple discontinued it in July 2011.
How much did the MacBook Air (2010) cost?
The MacBook Air (2010) launched at $999 in 2010 — about $1,469 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What are the MacBook Air (2010)’s specs?
The MacBook Air (2010) used a Intel Core 2 Duo running at 1.40 GHz, with 2 GB of memory and 62.5 GB of storage. It ran Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.
Why does the MacBook Air (2010) matter?
Redesigned around flash storage, with a new pocketable 11.6" size and a $999 price.
Full specifications
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo · 1.40 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 2 |
| Memory (RAM) | 2 GB (up to 4 GB) |
| Storage | 62.5 GB |
| Display | 11.6" or 13.3" LED LCD |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce 320M |
| Ports | 2× USB, Mini DisplayPort, MagSafe |
| Weight | 1.06 kg (11") |
| Dimensions | Tapered wedge, flash storage |
| Operating system | Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard |
| Released | October 2010 |
| Discontinued | July 2011 |
| Launch price | $999 |
How the MacBook Air (2010) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 8.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 1.40 GHz, the clock is roughly 2.3× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro — and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 16,000 modern phone photos — a respectable library even today.
Launched at $999 in 2010 — about $1,469 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Cross-architecture speed figures are clock-only and approximate; inflation figures use US CPI.
Did you know?
Its flash-on-a-stick design and price reset killed the netbook overnight.
Related Mac models
Open the MacBook Air (2010) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-06-25