When Apple first introduced the MacBook Air in 2008, it quickly redefined the notion of a lightweight, ultra portable laptop. Over the years, the MacBook Air series has evolved to accommodate changing technology and consumer demands, but its fundamental promise balancing portability, performance, and battery life in a sleek design has largely remained the same. Now, with the MacBook Air 2020, Apple promised a refined keyboard, improved internals, and better overall value. But does the 2020 iteration of the Air really rise to the occasion, or have changes in the laptop market rendered this device less appealing? In this in depth review, we’ll examine the MacBook Air 2020 from design and performance to battery life and everyday usage, helping you decide whether this lightweight machine is still worth your investment.
Introduction to the MacBook Air 2020
Apple launched the MacBook Air 2020 in early 2020, updating the series that had long been the go-to choice for students, professionals on the move, or casual users wanting a dependable laptop without the bulk. While the MacBook Pro lineup tends to get most of the attention for high-end performance, the Air targets a more mainstream crowd, offering a relatively affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem.
What’s new in the MacBook Air 2020?
- A return to the scissor-switch keyboard (branded as the Magic Keyboard), replacing the controversial butterfly mechanism.
- 10th-generation Intel Core processors for improved speed and graphics performance.
- A lower starting price compared to previous iterations, at least in some regions, making it more competitive against Windows ultrabooks.
Yet, the laptop market has shifted dramatically in the last few years. Competitors like Dell, HP, and Lenovo have pushed the boundaries of what you can expect in an ultrabook, often matching or surpassing Apple in various categories. Moreover, Apple itself introduced a late 2020 MacBook Air with the M1 chip, overshadowing the Intel-based 2020 model for those who prioritize maximum battery efficiency and raw speed. So, where exactly does the MacBook Air 2020 (Intel) stand today?
MacBook Air 2020 Design and Build Quality
Aluminum Unibody and Classic Aesthetic
True to the Air’s legacy, the MacBook Air 2020 sports a clean, minimalist design. Its aluminum unibody chassis is reminiscent of past models, featuring tapered edges that create an illusion of extreme thinness at the front. Weighing in at about 2.8 pounds (1.29 kg), the Air remains one of the most portable laptops on the market in its class. The aesthetic is quintessentially Apple: sleek lines, polished surfaces, and a choice of three color finishes Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.
This design has stood the test of time. Though it might not be as revolutionary as when the Air line first debuted, it still exudes a sense of quality and refinement. If you’ve used older MacBook Airs, you’ll notice the 2020 version is marginally thicker in the wedge shape compared to models from a few years prior, but the difference is almost negligible in everyday use.
Durability and Portability
The MacBook Air’s build quality is consistently praised, and the 2020 model is no exception. The chassis feels robust, resisting flex or creaks when you handle it. The anodized aluminum finish is relatively resistant to fingerprints and minor scratches though you’ll still want to use a sleeve or protective case if you plan on traveling heavily with it.
Portability remains a major selling point. Whether you slip it into a backpack, messenger bag, or tote, the Air’s lightweight build ensures it doesn’t become a burden during commutes or cross-campus jaunts. Users who frequently move between classrooms, shared workspaces, or airplanes will appreciate how easy it is to transport.
Keyboard and Trackpad Design
One of the most notable design updates for the 2020 MacBook Air is the Magic Keyboard. Apple’s previous butterfly keyboard (introduced back in 2015) faced widespread criticism for shallow key travel, typing discomfort, and reliability issues. The 2020 Air’s scissor-switch mechanism, akin to the 16-inch MacBook Pro and older Apple keyboards, offers:
- 1 mm of key travel, striking a satisfying balance between responsiveness and quiet operation.
- Improved reliability, as debris and dust are less likely to cause stuck keys or repeated keystrokes.
- Inverted-T arrow keys, a small detail but one that makes navigating documents or spreadsheets more intuitive.
Additionally, the Force Touch trackpad is generously sized, offering precise cursor control and Apple’s haptic feedback system. Multi-touch gestures, from pinch-to-zoom to three-finger swipes, feel smooth and natural a hallmark of Apple’s laptop design. If you’re accustomed to Windows trackpads, you’ll likely find Apple’s implementation notably more refined.
Display and Visual Experience
Retina Display with True Tone
The MacBook Air 2020 features a 13.3-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2560 × 1600, resulting in a crisp picture and a pixel density around 227 ppi. Text appears sharp, and images pop with clarity, making it suitable for reading lengthy documents, browsing high resolution photos, or streaming content. Color reproduction is generally accurate, covering a large portion of the sRGB gamut, though it doesn’t quite match the P3 wide color gamut of some pricier Apple machines.
True Tone technology is also present, automatically adjusting the color temperature of the display based on the ambient lighting conditions. Under warm indoor lighting, the screen takes on a slightly warmer tint, while in cooler or neutral lighting, it appears crisp and white. While some creative professionals might prefer to disable True Tone for color critical tasks, most users find it easier on the eyes, especially during extended work sessions.
Brightness and Viewing Angles
Apple rates the Air’s display at around 400 nits of brightness, which is bright enough for comfortable indoor usage, even under fluorescent lights. Under direct sunlight, visibility can become challenging if you’re in an outdoor cafe or a park, but it’s still manageable with some screen angle adjustments. The IPS panel ensures excellent viewing angles with minimal color shift as you move off-axis, a big plus for anyone sharing a screen during a group discussion or watching videos with friends.
Media Consumption
For casual media consumption like binge-watching Netflix, Hulu, or YouTube the MacBook Air provides a satisfying experience. Colors appear vibrant and motion is generally smooth, though the 60 Hz refresh rate is standard, unlike the higher refresh screens some Windows laptops offer. The 16:10 aspect ratio is tall enough to give you extra vertical space for browsing or productivity tasks, though you’ll encounter minor black bars when viewing 16:9 video content. Overall, the display quality is among the best for ultrabooks in a similar price range, though not on par with Apple’s more expensive Pro models or high end Windows machines with HDR or OLED screens.
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Performance and Hardware
10th Generation Intel Core Processors
Under the hood, the MacBook Air 2020 relies on 10th gen Intel Core chips. At launch, Apple offered multiple configurations:
- Base Model: Intel Core i3 dual-core processor
- Upgraded Options: Intel Core i5 (quad-core) or Intel Core i7 (quad-core)
All variants include Intel Iris Plus Graphics, a step up from the older Intel UHD solutions. This improvement translates to slightly better rendering speeds in apps like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro (though the Air isn’t typically the go-to for heavy video editing).
In everyday tasks web browsing, streaming music, email, office apps the MacBook Air 2020 performs admirably. Even the base Core i3 feels snappy enough for routine workflows, thanks in part to the speedy SSD storage and Apple’s optimization. Upgrading to the Core i5 or i7 can provide a noticeable boost if you regularly handle more demanding applications, like editing large photo libraries, compiling code, or working with light video projects.
However, if your workload skews heavily professional (3D modeling, full-time video editing, etc.), the MacBook Pro line is usually more fitting.
RAM and Storage Configurations
Out of the box, the base model starts with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and a 256 GB SSD a welcome upgrade from previous Airs that began at 128 GB. You can configure up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 2 TB of SSD storage (depending on the initial launch and region). While 8 GB is sufficient for most casual users, those who multitask heavily with many Chrome tabs or run virtual machines may benefit from the 16 GB upgrade.
The SSD storage is quite fast, offering good read and write speeds that contribute to the Air’s overall snappiness. Apple’s transition away from 128 GB as a standard is a boon for those who plan to store a moderate media library or frequently handle large files.
Thermal Management and Fan Noise
One aspect that often comes under scrutiny is thermal management. While the Air has a fan and heat pipe, its slim design limits how effectively it can dissipate heat during sustained heavy tasks. If you’re pushing the CPU with extended exporting in Adobe Premiere or intense gaming, you may notice:
- The fan ramps up, becoming audible.
- Performance may throttle slightly if the internal temperature remains high for extended periods.
For everyday tasks and short bursts of high-intensity usage, you likely won’t have major issues with heat. But power users expecting to run CPU or GPU-intensive apps for hours at a time might find the chassis warms up, especially near the hinge and upper keyboard area. This is a compromise of its thin, fan-based design.
Battery Life and Charging
Everyday Use
Most people can comfortably get through a full workday without reaching for the charger, especially if they keep brightness around 50–70% and avoid CPU-heavy tasks. If you’re on a long flight or working remotely, enabling energy saving settings like “Battery Saver” mode can stretch usage further.
That said, streaming HD video or gaming can cut the battery down to around 5–6 hours.
Charging Adapter and Times
The MacBook Air 2020 comes with a 30W USB-C power adapter, which can take the laptop from nearly empty to about 50% in 30 minutes to an hour, depending on usage during charging. A full charge from near empty typically needs around 2 hours. You can use any higher-watt USB-C power adapter if you need a bit more speed or if you already own an adapter for another MacBook, though the Air’s internal limits mean it won’t charge much faster than with the stock adapter.
Keyboard, Trackpad, and Audio
Magic Keyboard Experience
As mentioned, the Magic Keyboard is a significant leap over the butterfly keyboard found in older Airs and some MacBook Pros. Key travel is deeper (about 1 mm), with a stable mechanism that reduces wobble. The keys feel tactile and produce a moderate sound, neither too loud nor too quiet. A backlit layout ensures you can type comfortably in dimly lit environments, with brightness adjustable via function keys or system preferences.
For many, this is reason alone to consider the 2020 Air, especially if you disliked or avoided Apple’s butterfly keyboards in the past due to reliability concerns.
Force Touch Trackpad
Apple’s trackpads set a high standard in the industry. The Force Touch trackpad on the 2020 Air is quite large, offering plenty of space for multi-touch gestures. It doesn’t physically click; instead, haptic feedback simulates the sensation of a click anywhere on the surface. Support for advanced gestures like pinch-to-zoom, three-finger drag, and more feels intuitive. This trackpad remains among the best in the ultrabook world, overshadowing many Windows counterparts that rely on smaller or less responsive designs.
Speakers and Microphones
Located at the sides of the keyboard, the stereo speakers produce surprisingly robust sound for such a slim device. While they lack the depth of larger MacBook Pro speakers, they still offer a wide soundstage and decent clarity. For many casual listeners, these are more than enough for music, streaming, and conference calls.
The microphone array aims to provide clearer audio input during calls or voice recordings. Apple employs noise-reduction algorithms to help isolate your voice from ambient noise, which most users find beneficial in relatively quiet rooms. For podcasters or serious audio tasks, you’ll still want an external microphone, but for everyday Zoom sessions or FaceTime calls, it’s perfectly serviceable.
macOS and Software Ecosystem
Pre-Installed Applications
Every MacBook Air 2020 ships with macOS (Catalina at launch, upgradeable to more recent versions like Big Sur, Monterey, or Ventura) and a suite of Apple apps:
- Safari (web browser)
- Mail, Calendar, Notes, Reminders
- iMovie (basic video editing) and GarageBand (basic music creation)
- Pages, Numbers, and Keynote for office productivity (Apple’s alternatives to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
This out-of-the-box software set covers most daily needs, and you can download additional apps from the Mac App Store or other developers.
Ecosystem Integration
One of macOS’s strengths is its seamless integration with other Apple devices. Features like AirDrop (for quick file transfers to iPhones, iPads, or other Macs) and Handoff (start an email on your iPhone and finish it on your Mac) create a cohesive environment. If you have an Apple Watch, you can unlock your Mac automatically without typing a password. iCloud ensures your photos, documents, and messages sync across devices, which is particularly handy for those deeply embedded in Apple’s ecosystem.
Updates and Longevity
Apple historically supports its laptops with several years of major macOS updates. Even older Intel-based Macs can expect OS support for five or more years. For the 2020 Air, you’re looking at a device that should remain up to date with security patches and new features for a significant chunk of time—though Apple’s pivot to custom Silicon (M1, M2 chips, etc.) may mean the Intel-based line sees a slightly accelerated phase-out. Still, for casual usage, it should remain viable and secure for years after purchase.
Ports and Connectivity
Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C
Like many modern Apple laptops, the MacBook Air 2020 includes two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports on the left side of the chassis. Thunderbolt 3 offers up to 40 Gbps transfer speeds, supporting fast external drives, external GPUs (with limitations), or docking stations for multiple peripheral connections. However, the limited port selection necessitates dongles or adapters if you regularly use USB-A devices, HDMI outputs, or SD cards.
For some, the minimalism is a plus—fewer ports can align with a wireless workflow. But if your usage scenario involves hooking up older peripherals or multiple external displays, factor in the cost of adapters or docks.
Headphone Jack
A small victory for headphone users: the 2020 Air still sports a 3.5mm headphone jack on the right side. While Apple removed this feature from iPhones years ago, they’ve retained it on many MacBooks, acknowledging that professionals and casual listeners alike might rely on wired headphones or external speakers.
Wireless Standards
At launch, the MacBook Air 2020 came with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.0. While Wi-Fi 6 was already on the rise, Apple didn’t include it in this Intel-based model. In most real-world scenarios, Wi-Fi 5 provides sufficient speed and stability, but if you have a Wi-Fi 6 router and want maximum future-proofing, note that the 2020 Air doesn’t leverage those faster speeds.
Pros and Cons
Below is a concise rundown of the MacBook Air 2020’s strengths and weaknesses:
Pros
- Lightweight Design: The classic wedge shape and aluminum chassis make it supremely portable.
- Magic Keyboard: A vast improvement over the butterfly mechanism, offering better key travel and reliability.
- Solid Battery Life: Typically lasts a full workday for moderate usage, aligning with Apple’s advertised claims.
Cons
- Limited Ports: Only two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports can be restrictive, requiring dongles for many peripherals.
- Thermal Throttling: Under heavy loads, the CPU can throttle due to limited cooling, impacting sustained performance.
- Higher Cost for Upgrades: Upgrading RAM or storage can be expensive, and it must be done at purchase since components are soldered.
Comparison with Competitors
Windows Ultrabooks
In the ultrabook space, Dell’s XPS 13, HP’s Spectre x360, and Lenovo’s Yoga series often go head-to-head with the MacBook Air. Many Windows machines have embraced ultra-thin bezels, touchscreens, and sometimes better port variety. Some offer convertible 2-in-1 functionality or stylus support, which the Air lacks. Performance-wise, a similarly priced XPS 13 or Spectre might deliver comparable or occasionally superior results, especially if they use Intel’s 10th or 11th-gen processors. However, Apple’s build quality, macOS optimizations, and brand cachet remain strong selling points.
Older MacBook Air Models
If you’re coming from a 2017 or earlier MacBook Air, the jump to a Retina display alone is transformational. The updated keyboard and faster internals also represent a notable upgrade. For those on the 2018 or 2019 MacBook Air, improvements in the 2020 version—especially the Magic Keyboard—could be enticing if you disliked your butterfly keys. But if your current Air still meets your needs, upgrading may not be urgent unless the keyboard issues hamper your daily usage.
MacBook Pro 13 (2020)
Another Apple competitor to the Air is the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020). The Pro version generally targets users who need more robust performance (faster CPUs, better sustained speeds) and slightly brighter displays. However, it’s heavier, pricier, and still shares a similar port configuration. If you anticipate serious video editing, audio production, or coding tasks, the Pro might be worth the extra cost. But for casual and moderate tasks, the Air’s design and lower price point can be more appealing.
Who Should Buy the MacBook Air 2020?
Given its balance of portability, decent performance, and iconic design, the MacBook Air 2020 remains an excellent option for:
- Students who need a reliable laptop for note-taking, research, and streaming.
- Office Workers and Remote Professionals focusing on productivity apps, web-based tools, and regular video conferencing.
- Frequent Travelers or digital nomads who value a lightweight device without sacrificing build quality.
- Everyday Home Users who desire a long-lasting machine for general tasks like email, document creation, and media consumption.
However, if you’re a heavy creative professional, game enthusiast, or power user pushing CPU/GPU boundaries, consider the MacBook Pro lineup or a specialized Windows alternative. The Air isn’t engineered for marathon rendering sessions or top-tier gaming.
Final Verdict: Is the MacBook Air 2020 Still Worth It?
Since its launch, the MacBook Air 2020 has faced competition both from the Windows ecosystem and from Apple’s own M1-powered MacBook Air (released in late 2020). The M1 Air offers significant leaps in battery life and performance, overshadowing the Intel-based version in raw speed and efficiency. That said, if you find a good deal on the Intel MacBook Air 2020, or if you specifically need certain x86 compatibility for specialized software or virtualization tasks, it still holds considerable value.
In conclusion, the MacBook Air 2020 is still a solid lightweight laptop. It nails everyday essentials typing comfort, battery longevity, brand reliability, and user-friendly software. If your usage fits squarely within everyday productivity, streaming, and modest creative tasks, the 2020 Air offers the fundamental MacBook experience in a polished, portable package. For those wanting absolute cutting-edge Apple performance, the M1 or M2 MacBook Air lines represent a newer era, delivering leaps in speed and efficiency. Either way, the 2020 Intel MacBook Air stands as a testament to Apple’s consistent design ethos, quietly reminding us why the Air line started a revolution in ultra-portable computing.