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AppleMacBook Air 13-inch (2020)

13.3-inches
1.265kg
Apple M1, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD

£849View retailers

Test score

Lowest available price

£849Amazon

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The 13-inch 2020 MacBook Air is the cheapest Apple laptop that you can still buy brand-new. Is this laptop showing its age or is it still worth buying? Read our full MacBook Air 2020 review to find out.

pros

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cons

What's included?

What is it?
How fast is it and what’s it like to use?
What are the keyboard and touchpad like?
How good is the screen and webcam?
How are the speakers and audio quality?
How long does the battery last?
Is Apple a good laptop brand?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Screen performance
Sound quality
Portability

May 2025Last checked by Which?
Dec 2020First reviewed by Which?
Jan 2020Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

A laptop's screen being tested with a scientific instrument

How we test laptops

5 Jun 2025

Ease of use

Overall
Touchpad
Keyboard
Connections

How we test ease of use

A large variety of tests make up this score, including how easy the laptop is to use while on your lap, how easy the lid is to open, and how well the keyboard and touchpad are to handle.

Performance

Overall
Start up from off
Wi-fi

How we test performance

A combination of USB speed tests, industry-standard benchmark software and wi-fi speed tests create this overall speed score. We also let you know how good a laptop is for gaming, although this does not impact our overall percentage score.

Battery life

Overall
Web browsing battery life
Video playback battery life

How we test battery life

A laptop that manages more than eight hours in our test will normally score five stars, while one that lasts under three hours will normally get one star.

Screen performance

Overall
Colours and brightness
Reflection reduction
Viewing angles

How we test screen performance

We look at how clear and bright the screen is, and perform scientific measurements to check colour accuracy. We also assess how wide the viewing angles are and whether reflections cause a problem.

Sound quality

Overall
Speakers - Music and movies
Speakers - Speech
Headphones

How we test sound quality

The quality of the sound that comes from the built-in speakers, and how well the sound card handles audio delivered to high-quality headphones through the headphone jack.

Practicality

Overall
Portability
Build quality
Quiet operation

How we test practicality

These scores let you know what a laptop will be like to take out and about. Lighter laptops made from premium materials do better here, as do those that manage their heat efficiently and quietly.

Processor
Processor model	Apple M1
Total number of processor cores	8
Number of performance cores	4
Number of efficiency cores	4
Maximum processor speed	3.2GHz
Graphics	Apple M1
Processor brand	Apple M1

Memory and storage
Ram	8GB
Main storage type	SSD
Total storage capacity	256GB
Usable storage capacity	213GB

General
Height	13.4mm
Width	304mm
Depth	212mm
Weight	1.265kg
Which? Test program version	2021
Available new	Yes

Display
Screen size	13.3-inches
Resolution	2560x1600
Finish	Shiny
Touchscreen	No

Features
Operating system	macOS
CD/DVD drive	No
Backlit keyboard	Yes
Separate numeric keypad	No
Type	MacBook
Ultrabook	Yes
Key specs	Apple M1, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD

Connections
USB 2.0	0
USB 3	0
USB-C	2
Charge laptop via USB
USB-C usable as display output
HDMI out	No
Ethernet port	No

Security
Currently supported	Yes
End of software update support	January 2028 (Estimate based on typical Apple support durations on previous models)
Estimated minimum remaining security support (years)	4

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Amazon
In Stock£849

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AppleMacBook Air 13-inch (2020)

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