Macbook Air 2014 vs Macbook Air 2013 - 11-inch

Apple very quietly updated its MacBook Air line last night, and while there weren't a massive amount of changes, there were some definitely worth noting.

First and foremost was the price drop from last year's models. There was a $100 price cut across the board making the cheapest model just $899. Combined with improved processors and battery life, the 2014 MacBook Air is certainly an attractive machine, but should you be concerned with upgrading if you have a 2013 model? Take a look at the spec tables below to compare and then decide if you really need a new one.

Apple - 11-inch MacBook Air (2014) Apple - 11-inch MacBook Air (2013)
Display Size 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display (135 ppi) 11.6-inch, 1366 x 768 pixel display (135 ppi)
Resolution X 1366 1366
Resolution Y 768 768
Display Type LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors LED-backlit glossy widescreen display with support for millions of colors
Operating System OS X Mavericks (at launch) OS X Mavericks (at launch)
Processor
  • 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
  • Configurable to 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache
  • 1.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 2.6GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache
  • Configurable to 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 4MB shared L3 cache
RAM
  • 4GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
  • Configurable to 8GB
  • 4GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 onboard memory
  • Configurable to 8GB
Storage
  • 128GB PCIe-based flash storage (base model)
  • 256GB PCIe-based flash storage (upgrade model)
  • 512GB flash storage (upgrade option)
  • 128GB Flash storage (base model)
  • 256GB Flash storage (upgrade model)
  • 512GB flash storage (upgrade option)
Camera
  • 720p FaceTime HD camera
  • 720p FaceTime HD camera
Audio
  • Dual microphones
  • Headphone port
  • Stereo speakers
  • Headphone port
  • Dual microphones
  • Stereo speakers
Input Output
  • MagSafe 2 power port
  • Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
  • MagSafe 2 power port
  • Thunderbolt port (up to 10 Gbps)
  • Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
Networks
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n compatible
Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.0 Bluetooth 4.0
Battery
  • Up to 9 hours wireless web
  • Up to 9 hours iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days standby time
  • Built-in 38-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
  • Up to 9 hours wireless web
  • Up to 8 hours iTunes movie playback
  • Up to 30 days standby time
  • Built-in 38-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery
Height 0.68 inches (17.3 mm) 0.68 inches (17.3 mm)
Width 11.8 inches (29.97 cm) 11.8 inches (29.97 cm)
Depth 7.56 inches (19.20 cm) 7.56 inches (19.20 cm)
Weight 2.38 lbs (1.08 kg) 2.38 lbs (1.08 kg)
Colors Silver Silver