Apple Early 2020 MacBook Air review

 

Apple Early 2020 MacBook Air Review - Is It Still Worth Buying?

When Apple launched the Early 2020 MacBook Air, it was an exciting refresh for one of the company's most popular laptops. With an improved Magic Keyboard, upgraded processors, and a better balance between performance and portability, this model quickly became a favorite among students, professionals, and casual users alike.

But in 2025, with newer MacBooks available, is the Apple MacBook Air 2020 still worth considering? In this detailed review, we'll break down its design, performance, battery life, display, and overall usability. By the end, you'll know if this MacBook Air is the right choice for your needs.

Sleek and Lightweight Design

One of the biggest appeals of the MacBook Air lineup has always been its thin and light design, and the 2020 model continues this tradition. Weighing just 2.8 pounds and measuring 0.63 inches at its thickest point, it is highly portable and ideal for students or professionals on the go.

Aluminum unibody chassis feels premium and durable.

Available in three colors: Silver, Space Gray, and Gold.

Slim bezels around the 13.3-inch display give it a modern look.

If you're looking for a compact laptop for travel, work, or school, the 2020 MacBook Air remains one of the best in its class.

Brilliant Retina Display

The 13.3-inch Retina Display is one of the strongest selling points of the 2020 MacBook Air. With a 2560 x 1600 resolution, it delivers sharp, vibrant images and crisp text.

Key highlights include:

True Tone technology adjusts color temperature based on ambient lighting.

Wide color (P3) support for more vivid and accurate colors.

Brightness levels that make it usable in most environments, though not as bright as MacBook Pro displays.

For content consumption, light creative work, and day-to-day tasks, this display is excellent. However, professional video editors and graphic designers may find it limited compared to Apple's higher-end laptops.

Performance and Hardware

When it was released, the 2020 MacBook Air came with 10th-generation Intel Core processors, offering configurations up to a quad-core Core i7.

In real-world use, performance is solid for:

Web browsing, email, and multitasking.

Word processing, spreadsheets, and productivity apps.

Streaming video and music.

However, because it is fanless and designed for efficiency rather than raw power, it struggles with:

Heavy multitasking with demanding apps.

Video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.

For users who need a light, efficient laptop for everyday use, it still delivers. But power users should consider newer MacBooks with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, or M3) for much better performance.

Magic Keyboard Upgrade

One of the biggest improvements in the 2020 MacBook Air was the introduction of the Magic Keyboard. This replaced the controversial butterfly keyboard that many users found unreliable.

Benefits of the Magic Keyboard include:

Scissor-switch mechanism for more key travel and better tactile feedback.

Improved reliability with fewer reported failures.

Inverted-T arrow keys for easier navigation.

Backlit keys for typing in low-light conditions.

This update made typing on the MacBook Air a much more enjoyable and accurate experience.

 Storage and Memory

Apple doubled the base storage in the 2020 model, starting at 256 GB SSD, with configurations up to2 TB.

Fast SSD performance ensures quick boot times and file transfers.

8 GB RAM standard, upgradeable to 16 GB, which helps with multitasking.

While 8 GB is fine for light users, power users will notice limitations with large apps or multiple browser tabs.

Battery Life

The MacBook Air 2020 offers respectable battery life, though not as impressive as later M1 models.

Up to 11 hours of wireless web use.

Around 12 hours of video playback.

Charges via Thunderbolt 3 / USB-C.

For a full day of work or school, the battery holds up well, but users who need extended power on the go may find newer models with Apple Silicon chips much more efficient.

 macOS Experience

The 2020 MacBook Air shipped with macOS Catalina, but it is fully compatible with macOS Sonoma (2025), giving it the latest features and security updates.

Highlights of macOS include:

Seamless integration with iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Continuity features like AirDrop, Handoff, and Universal Clipboard.

App Store access to productivity, creativity, and entertainment apps.

Even in 2025, macOS runs smoothly on this model, though performance is not as optimized as on Apple’s newer M-series chips.

Audio and Webcam

The stereo speaker on the MacBook Air 2020 deliver surprisingly good sound for such a thin laptop, with decent clarity and balance.

Great for streaming music, movies, and calls.

The 3-microphone array ensures clear voice pickup.

Unfortunately, the 720p FaceTime HD camera feels outdated, especially compared to newer MacBooks with 1080p cameras.

Connectivity and Ports

The 2020 MacBook Air comes with a minimal but functional set of ports:

Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports for charging, data, and external displays.

3.5mm headphone jack.

While this is enough for many users, you'll likely need dongles or a USB-C hub if you want HDMI, USB-A, or SD card support.

Who Is the Apple MacBook Air 2020 For?

This laptop is best suited for:

Students who need a reliable, lightweight laptop for classes.

Writers, professionals, and office workers who prioritize portability and ease of use.

Casual users who want a stylish laptop for browsing, streaming, and productivity.

It is not ideal for:

Heavy creatives working with video editing, 3D modeling, or professional music production.

Gamers, since its Intel graphics are not designed for modern gaming.

Users who want future-proof performance, as newer M-series Macs offer far more value.

Pros and Cons of the Apple MacBook Air 2020

Pros:

Slim, lightweight, and portable design.

Beautiful Retina display with True Tone.

Much-improved Magic Keyboard.

Solid battery life for daily use.

Premium build quality.

macOS ecosystem and updates still supported.

Cons:

Weaker performance compared to newer Apple Silicon Macs.

Limited ports (only 2 Thunderbolt 3).

720p webcam feels outdated.

Not suitable for heavy creative workloads or gaming.

Battery life lags behind M1 and later MacBooks.

Final Verdict

The Apple Early 2020 MacBook Air is a beautifully designed, lightweight, and reliable laptop that still delivers excellent usability in 2025. Its Magic Keyboard, Retina display, and macOS experience make it a joy to use.

However, compared to Apple's newer M-series MacBooks, it is underpowered and less energy efficient. If you're looking for a budget entry into the MacBook ecosystem, the 2020 MacBook Air can still be a smart purchase - especially if you find it at a discounted price. But if you need future-proof performance, it's better to look at an M1 or M2 MacBook Air.

The Apple Early 2020 MacBook Air is still a capable, stylish, and reliable laptop in 2025, best for students, writers, and casual users. But if you need power, longevity, and better efficiency, consider investing in an M-series MacBook Air.