MacBook Air 13″ (M1 base)

By Noel S. / Mac Nerd | March 20, 2025

The MacBook Air 13-inch (M1, 2020) is a lightweight and efficient laptop that marked Apple’s transition to its in-house silicon. This is the “OG” M1 Mac Book Air the started the Apple Silicon Revolution back in 2020. The MacBook Air (M1) remains a great choice for students and professionals seeking portability, strong performance, and long battery life in an affordable package.

Here’s a video by MKBHD with more information.

Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores* Across SOC Generations (Highlighting Base)

M1
Base - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 15,271 BASE ← Pro - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 24,290 PRO Max - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 30,453 MAX Ultra - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 42,741 ULTRA
M2
~ +20 to
+25% faster
than prev. gen.
Base - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 19,137 BASE Pro - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 29,257 PRO Max - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 36,593 MAX Ultra - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 55,078 ULTRA
M3
~ +7 to
+13% faster
than prev. gen.
Base - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 21,625 BASE Pro - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 28,513 PRO Max - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 39,229 MAX Ultra - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 60,296 ULTRA
M4
~ +19 to
+45% faster
than prev. gen.
Base - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 25,689 BASE Pro - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 38,536 PRO Max - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 56,834 MAX
M5
~ +21 to
+26% faster
than prev. gen.
Base - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 31,012 BASE Pro - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 51,259 PRO Max - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 71,585 MAX Ultra (Est.) - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 85,205 ULTRA (Est.)
M6
Base (Est.) - Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores: 38,499 BASE (Est.)
12,00051,00090,000
CPU/SOCs are clickable for search.
Ultras are omitted as part of generational % comparisons.
Graph calculations based on 43 Macs (124 benchmark metrics).
Last updated: September 16, 2026
View benchmark table

Server-rendered benchmark rows derived from this shortcode instance for visitors and search engines.

Normalized Combined Geekbench Scores* Across SOC Generations (Highlighting Base) — Crawlable Benchmark Table
FamilyVariantNormalized Combined Geekbench Scores
M1Base15,271
M1Pro24,290
M1Max30,453
M1Ultra42,741
M2Base19,137
M2Pro29,257
M2Max36,593
M2Ultra55,078
M3Base21,625
M3Pro28,513
M3Max39,229
M3Ultra60,296
M4Base25,689
M4Pro38,536
M4Max56,834
M5Base31,012
M5Pro51,259
M5Max71,585
M5Ultra (Est.)85,205
M6Base (Est.)38,499

Related M1 Machines

Manufacturer Part Number MacBookAir10,1
Year 2020
Model Name MacBook Air 13" (M1)
MSRP ($) $999
Current Market Price $849
Nano-Texture screen Available N/A
CPU/SOC Family M1
CPU/SOC Variant Base
Total CPU Cores 8
Total GPU Cores 8
Memory Bandwidth (GB/s) 68.25
Max Screen Brightness (Nits) 400
Weight (Lbs) 2.8
Geekbench Single Core 2,346
Geekbench Multi Core 8,357
Geekbench Metal GPU 32,946
Performance* 15,216
Bang for Buck 17.92 (B)
External URL 1 www.apple.com/shop/product/FGN...
External URL 2 browser.geekbench.com/macs/mac...
External URL 3 support.apple.com/en-us/111883

Historical Pricing

DatePriceVendorNotesLink
2025-06-15 $557.99 Micro Center Used/Refurbished Buy
2025-06-14 $649.00 Walmart Used/Refurbished Buy
2025-05-31 $509.11 eBay Average price for month of May 2025 Buy
2025-04-30 $499.98 eBay Average price for month of Apr. 2025 Buy
2025-03-31 $505.62 eBay Average price for month of Mar. 2025 Buy
2025-02-28 $507.03 eBay Average price for month of Feb. 2025 Buy
2025-01-31 $518.63 eBay Average price for month of Jan. 2015 Buy
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