Apple MacBook Air "Core i7" 13" 8GB 128GB

Apple MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.7 13" 8GB 128GB

The MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.7 13-Inch (Mid-2013/Haswell) technically is a "configure-to-order" configuration of the MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.3 13-Inch (Mid-2013/Haswell), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding larger level 3 cache), these two models are identical.

The Apple MacBook Air "Core i7" 1.7 13-Inch (Mid-2013/Haswell) features a 22-nm "Haswell" 1.7 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (4650U) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 4 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of onboard 1600 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM (which could be upgraded to 8 GB at the time of purchase, but cannot be upgraded later), 128 GB or 256 GB of PCIe-based flash storage, and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 5000 graphics processor that shares system memory.

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

Connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, analog audio out, a "Thunderbolt" port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot. It lacks internal Ethernet, although an external Thunderbolt adapter was offered as a US$29 option.

Compared to its predecessor, this model has effectively the same external enclosure, but it has a much more efficient processor and architecture -- which results in significantly improved battery life -- as well as faster graphics (that reserve more system memory), faster storage, and faster Wi-Fi.