The Intel MacBook Air was the laptop that made thin laptops normal, and plenty of people still have one in a cupboard or a student's bag. They are light, simple machines, and the faults that bring them in are the ones a laptop of this age is known for: a worn battery, a charger that does not charge, a drive that slows down.
Blue Apple repairs the Intel MacBook Air from 2010 to 2020, 11 and 13 inch, at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam. Each model has its own page with the repairs we offer for it: start at the MacBook repair page.
What is different about the MacBook Air (Intel)
- Four generations of charger. The 2010 and 2011 Airs use the original MagSafe, the 2012 to 2017 ones use MagSafe 2, and the 2018 and 2020 models charge over USB-C.
- A removable SSD on the older models. On the older Airs the SSD is a small separate card, which is easier to replace or to read than on newer laptops.
- Retina from 2018. The 2018 to 2020 Air has a Retina display, Touch ID and a different keyboard, and is a bigger step from the older ones.
- The keyboard of 2018 and 2019. The 2018 and 2019 Air share the butterfly keyboard with the Pros; the 2020 model has a more reliable design.
What usually goes wrong with the Intel MacBook Air
- Battery that is worn out. On a laptop of 2010 to 2017, the battery is long past its life. A new battery is the single most worthwhile repair on most of these.
- Does not charge. A worn charger or connector, a port fault, or a failure on the board. We measure where the power stops.
- Storage that is slow or failing. An old SSD can be replaced on the older models.
- Screen damage or a dim backlight. A cracked display or a backlight that no longer lights.
- Keyboard faults. On the 2018 and 2019 models, keys that stick or repeat.
The Intel MacBook Air models we repair
Every model below has its own page, with the repairs we offer for it and what each one costs.
MacBook Air 13" A2179 (2020), MacBook Air 13" A1932 (2018-2019), MacBook Air 13" A1466 (2013-2017), MacBook Air 11" A1465 (2013-2015), MacBook Air 11" A1370 (2010-2012), MacBook Air 13" A1369 (2010-2012).
Repair or replace?
An old Air is worth a battery, a charger or a drive if it does what you need, and that is often a lot of use for little money. A very old Air with a failed board is more often a case for saving the data than for repairing the laptop, and we say so after the diagnosis. Check which macOS your model can still run.
Looking after your MacBook Air
- Back up the old files. Old laptops fail without warning, and the files are what matter.
- Use the original charger. Third-party chargers can damage an old board.
- Do not leave it charging all day. An old battery heats and swells.
How a repair works at Blue Apple
Open your model on the MacBook repair page, choose the repair and you see the price straight away. You can bring it to our workshop at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam, have it collected (pickup and delivery) or send it by post. If your fault is not in the list, the custom repair form lets you describe it, and we come back with a price before any work starts.
Questions about repairing an Intel MacBook Air
Can you replace the battery in a 2013 MacBook Air?
Yes. It is one of the most common repairs we do, and the model page shows what it costs.
Can you get the files off an old Air that will not start?
Often, depending on the fault. Our article on data recovery from a dead iPhone or MacBook explains what to expect.
More reading
In short
An Intel MacBook Air is worth a battery, a charger or a drive when it still does its job, and its files are worth saving either way. See the MacBook repair page for the models and repairs, or send us a request. You will find us at Rijnstraat 76-H in Amsterdam, and you can call 020 239 11 93 with a question first.
