Which MacBook do I have? You need to know when you need a part, want to know whether you can install a new macOS, or want to sell your MacBook. Fortunately it is easy to find, on the Mac itself or on the outside, even if it no longer turns on. This article explains how to find your MacBook's model, year and model number.
Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam. For a repair the exact model matters, because parts differ by model and year.
On the Mac itself: About This Mac
- Click the Apple logo top left.
- Choose About This Mac.
- You see the name and year, for example "MacBook Air 13-inch, M2, 2022", plus the chip, memory, serial number and macOS version.
Click More Info for further details. System Information (hold Option in the Apple menu) also shows the model identifier, such as "Mac14,2".
On the outside: the A number
If your MacBook does not turn on, look at the underside. In the small print there is a model number starting with an A, for example A2337 or A2681. You can look up the model with it. Note: one A number can belong to several years, and on a few models different versions share the same number.
With the serial number
The serial number is also on the underside, on the box and on the receipt. Enter it on Apple's site to check the coverage; there you also see the exact model. See checking your MacBook warranty.
How old is my MacBook?
The year in About This Mac is the year the model came out, not necessarily the year you bought it. A "2020" model may have been sold in 2021 or later. For the purchase date, check your receipt or your Apple Account.
Why does the model matter?
- Updates: the model decides up to which macOS version you can update. See macOS versions at a glance.
- Parts: a screen or battery for one MacBook Air does not fit another generation.
- Chargers: the power and connector differ by model. See which charger fits my MacBook.
- Selling: buyers want the exact model, chip, memory and storage.
How much memory and storage?
About This Mac also shows how much memory your MacBook has. How much storage there is and how much is free, you see in System Settings, General, Storage. Those two numbers matter when selling and when deciding whether your MacBook still suits what you want to do.
Intel or Apple chip?
In About This Mac, next to Chip, you see a name such as M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 or A18 Pro: then you have a Mac with an Apple chip. If Processor says "Intel", you have an Intel Mac. That matters a lot for updates and lifespan. Read how long a MacBook lasts.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
If you do not know exactly which model you have, just bring it: we find out and tell you which parts fit and what a repair costs. Our site lists the repairs and prices per model. More on our pages about MacBook models and repairs and MacBook repair in Amsterdam.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the model number on my MacBook?
On the underside, in the small print, starting with an A.
Can I see the model without turning it on?
Yes, with the A number or the serial number on the underside.
What is the difference between MacBook, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro?
They are different lines; the Air is light and silent, the Pro more powerful. The old "MacBook" without a suffix was made until 2019.
