You're probably looking at a used or refurbished listing right now. Or maybe there's one sitting in your drawer, and you're wondering if it's worth reviving for a kid or a secondary work machine. Buying a MacBook Air Retina 13 inch 2020 in the current market is a bit of a gamble because, honestly, Apple released two completely different versions of this laptop in the same calendar year. One of them is a legendary workhorse that changed the industry. The other is a loud, hot reminder of why Apple eventually ditched Intel processors altogether. It's confusing.
If you don't check the "About This Mac" section carefully, you might end up with the Intel version. That’s the one that sounds like a jet engine taking off just because you opened three tabs in Chrome. But if you find the M1 version—which also carries that 2020 designation—you’ve struck gold.
The keyboard drama finally ended here
Let’s talk about the biggest win for this specific model: the Magic Keyboard. Before this, Apple spent years trying to make the "Butterfly" keyboard work. It didn't. It was a disaster that cost the company millions in repairs and even more in lost reputation. The MacBook Air Retina 13 inch 2020 was the glorious return to form. It uses a scissor-switch mechanism that actually has travel. You can feel the keys move. They don't get stuck because a literal grain of sand fell under the "E" key.
I've typed on almost every laptop Apple has made since the late 90s. The 2020 Air feels like home. It’s snappy. It’s reliable. For a writer or a student, this change alone makes the 2020 model infinitely better than the 2018 or 2019 versions. Those older ones are ticking time bombs for your wallet.
Intel vs. M1: The split personality of 2020
This is where things get tricky. In early 2020, Apple updated the Air with 10th-generation Intel processors. They were... fine. But then, in November 2020, they dropped the M1 chip.
The Intel model (Core i3, i5, or i7) has a major flaw: heat. Because the MacBook Air is so thin, it doesn't have a massive cooling system. The fan in the Intel version is barely connected to the heat sink. It’s basically just moving air around the inside of the case without actually cooling the processor effectively. If you try to jump on a Zoom call while having a spreadsheet open, that fan is going to scream.
Then came the M1.
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The M1 MacBook Air Retina 13 inch 2020 doesn't even have a fan. It doesn't need one. It runs so efficiently that the entire aluminum chassis acts as a heat sink. It’s silent. Always. You could be editing a 4K video or exporting a massive photo library, and it won't make a peep. This was the moment everything changed for the Mac.
Why the Retina display still holds up
Even years later, the 13.3-inch Retina display is a gem. It has a resolution of 2560 by 1600. That gives you 227 pixels per inch. It supports P3 wide color, which means colors look punchy and accurate, not washed out like a cheap Windows laptop from the same era. True Tone is also there. It adjusts the color temperature based on the light in your room. If you’re working late at night under warm lamps, the screen shifts to a warmer hue so it doesn’t burn your retinas.
Is it as bright as the new MacBook Pro? No. It tops out at 400 nits. If you’re trying to work outside at a coffee shop in direct sunlight, you’re going to struggle to see what’s on the screen. But indoors? It’s perfect.
Real-world performance and the 8GB RAM question
Most people bought the base model with 8GB of unified memory (on the M1) or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM (on the Intel). In the Windows world, 8GB is barely enough to run the OS. On the M1 Mac, it’s surprisingly capable because of how macOS handles swap memory.
I’ve seen people push the M1 MacBook Air Retina 13 inch 2020 with 20+ Safari tabs, Slack, Spotify, and Lightroom all running at once. It handles it. The Intel version with 8GB? Not so much. It starts to chug. If you’re a power user—someone doing heavy coding or 4K video editing daily—you really want to hunt down a 16GB model. They are harder to find on the used market because people tend to hold onto them longer.
Storage starts at 256GB. It’s plenty for documents and some photos. But if you’re a digital hoarder, you’ll be living the dongle life with an external SSD.
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The Port Situation (The "Dongle Life")
Apple kept it simple. Too simple. You get two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on the left side and a headphone jack on the right. That’s it.
- You want to plug in a thumb drive? Get an adapter.
- Want to use an HDMI cable for a TV? Get a hub.
- Charging? That takes up one of your two ports.
It’s annoying, but it’s the price you pay for a laptop that tapers down to a thickness of just 0.16 inches at its thinnest point. It weighs 2.8 pounds. You can slide it into a backpack and genuinely forget it's there.
Battery life: The great divider
The battery life on the Intel 2020 Air is "okay." You might get 6 to 8 hours of real work done. But the M1 version? It’s a marathon runner. Apple claimed 18 hours. In reality, you get about 12 to 14 hours of heavy web browsing and productivity. You can leave your charger at home. That was unheard of for a laptop this size back in 2020.
If you’re buying used, check the cycle count. Lithium-ion batteries degrade. A "normal" cycle count for a four-year-old laptop is usually between 300 and 500. If it’s over 800, you’ll probably need to pay Apple or a third-party shop about $130 to $150 to replace the battery soon.
Software support: How much time is left?
Apple is pretty good about supporting old hardware, but they aren't forever. The Intel MacBook Air Retina 13 inch 2020 will likely be the first to lose support. We’ve already seen Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3) getting exclusive features in macOS that Intel chips can't handle, like certain On-Device AI features or advanced dictation.
The M1 version likely has a long life ahead of it. It’s so powerful that it still beats most entry-level laptops sold in big-box stores today. I would bet on it receiving macOS updates for at least another three to four years, and security patches for even longer.
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What usually breaks?
Nothing is perfect. Even though this model solved the keyboard issue, there are a few things to watch for:
- The Webcam: It’s 720p. In a world of 1080p and 4K video calls, it looks grainy. It's especially bad in low light. You’ll look like you’re calling from 2012.
- Screen Cracks: The clearance between the screen and the keyboard is microscopic. If you leave a tiny crumb or a staple on your keyboard and slam the lid, the screen will crack. Repairing a Retina display costs nearly as much as buying another used laptop.
- USB-C Wear: Sometimes the ports get "loose" over time. If your charger keeps disconnecting, it might just be lint in the port, or the physical pins are wearing out.
Is it better than the M2 or M3 Air?
The M2 and M3 models have a new "boxy" design, better webcams, and MagSafe charging. MagSafe is great because if someone trips over your cord, the laptop doesn't fly off the table.
However, the 2020 M1 Air has that classic wedge shape that many people (including me) actually prefer. It’s more comfortable for typing because it angles down toward your wrists. And honestly, for basic tasks like emailing, Netflix, and Google Docs, you will not notice the speed difference between an M1 and an M2. Save your money.
Actionable Buying Advice
If you are going to pull the trigger on a MacBook Air Retina 13 inch 2020, follow these steps to make sure you don't get burned:
- Identify the processor first. Go to the Apple menu > About This Mac. If it says "Intel," the price should be significantly lower (think $300-$400 range). If it says "Apple M1," it's worth the premium ($500-$600).
- Check the "Activation Lock." Never buy a used Mac unless the seller has signed out of iCloud and "Find My." If it’s locked, it’s a paperweight. There is no easy way around this.
- Inspect the anti-reflective coating. Some of these screens develop "Staingate" where the coating rubs off. It looks like smudge marks that won't wipe away. It’s purely cosmetic but annoying.
- Test every key. Open a Notes document and hit every single key. Just because it’s not a Butterfly keyboard doesn’t mean a previous owner didn’t spill a sugary latte into it.
- Verify the battery health. Hold the 'Option' key and click the battery icon in the menu bar. If it says "Service Recommended," use that to negotiate the price down by at least $100.
Basically, the M1 version of this laptop is one of the best computers Apple ever made. It’s the perfect balance of portability, power, and silence. The Intel version? It’s a decent budget option, but you have to know its limits. Don't expect it to stay cool, and don't expect it to stay silent. Choose wisely based on what you actually need to do every day.