MacBook Air 13-inch Intel (2020): Refurbished, Specs & Repairs

Gold Retina MacBook Air with its screen open

The last Intel MacBook Air, with the Magic Keyboard

The MacBook Air 13-inch Intel (2020) is the final Intel MacBook Air. It replaced the butterfly keyboard with the much more reliable Magic Keyboard, added 10th-generation Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 options, and doubled the starting storage.

It is a good choice if you need an Intel Mac for Boot Camp or older software. It does run warm under load and its battery life is well behind the Apple silicon models, which arrived later the same year.

Every refurbished MacBook Air 13-inch Intel (2020) we sell is checked by our technicians and comes with a 12-month warranty. Browse our refurbished MacBook Air range, or book a repair if you already own one.

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About This Model

The MacBook Air 13-inch Intel (2020) combines a Retina display, a compact aluminium design and Apple’s Magic Keyboard. As a used purchase, it deserves consideration when the price, condition and software compatibility suit your needs.

Complete Mac Solutions supplies used and refurbished Macs in Bristol and across the UK. We also repair this model, helping owners investigate faults and decide whether repairing their existing Mac or choosing a replacement is the better option.

Before buying, it is important to identify the machine correctly. Apple introduced both Intel and M1 MacBook Air models during 2020, and an advert that simply says “2020 MacBook Air” does not tell you which one you are considering.

Which 2020 MacBook Air is this?

This guide covers the Intel MacBook Air introduced in March 2020. It was available with Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors. It is a different model from the Apple M1 MacBook Air introduced later that year.

Ask for a screenshot of the machine’s model information and confirm its processor, memory and storage before comparing prices. The year, screen size and colour alone are not enough to identify the specification.

Display: 13.3-inch Retina screen, 2560 × 1600 resolution and True Tone.
Processor: dual-core Intel Core i3 or quad-core Core i5 and Core i7 options.
Memory: 8GB or 16GB onboard memory.
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB SSD configurations.
Graphics: integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics.
Connections: two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports and a headphone socket.
Keyboard: backlit Magic Keyboard with physical function keys and Touch ID.
Weight: approximately 1.29kg.
Colours: gold, silver and space grey.

What makes this model worth considering?

The appeal is a portable Mac at a used price that may fit a smaller budget. For someone who needs a laptop for documents, research, email and compatible everyday applications, a suitable example can be worth comparing with other available machines.

Condition matters as much as the model name. A laptop with a healthy battery, working connections and a clear repair history is a different proposition from one that needs immediate attention.

The keyboard is a useful distinction from the 2018 and 2019 Retina Air models. The 2020 Intel Air uses a scissor-switch Magic Keyboard rather than the earlier butterfly design. That does not make it immune to wear or damage, but it is an important difference when comparing generations.

Core i3, Core i5 or Core i7?

The Core i3 configuration has a dual-core processor, while the Core i5 and Core i7 options are quad-core. Check the exact configuration instead of assuming every Intel Air from 2020 offers the same performance.

For lighter use, price and condition may matter more than choosing the highest processor option. For heavier multitasking, consider the complete configuration, including memory, rather than paying extra for the processor name alone.

If you expect to edit large creative projects, run demanding development tools or use specialist software, explain your workload before purchasing. We can help you compare whether this Air, an Apple silicon model or a MacBook Pro is the more appropriate choice.

We would not recommend buying an older laptop solely because an advert describes it as suitable for “professional use”. The applications, project sizes and performance you need should guide the decision.

Memory and storage: choose carefully

An 8GB machine may suit lighter requirements, but we would discuss a 16GB configuration if you keep several applications open or work with more demanding files. The right choice depends on your workload and budget.

Memory is onboard, and the internal SSD is not a conventional replaceable storage drive. Choose a suitable configuration when buying rather than planning an ordinary later upgrade.

A 256GB SSD can become restrictive once applications, photographs and documents accumulate. A 512GB configuration gives more room, while larger capacities may suit users who need substantial local storage.

External drives can provide additional file storage. They do not increase the laptop’s memory, and they should not be your only copy of important work. Include a separate backup arrangement in your plans.

Scissor-switch Magic Keyboard on the Intel MacBook Air 2020

Intel Air or M1 Air?

Compare both options before deciding. The Intel model may be relevant where a particular application or peripheral requires an Intel Mac, or where the available price suits your budget.

Check that requirement with the software or equipment supplier. An Intel processor does not guarantee compatibility with every older application: the operating system, application version and licence also matter.

If you have no specific Intel requirement, include an M1 Air in your comparison. Consider the complete purchase, including condition, battery health, warranty and the applications you expect to use over the coming years.

Check operating system support and application requirements at the time of purchase. Do not assume that a Mac will run every new macOS release simply because its existing software works well.

MacBook Air for Bristol students

Bristol students studying different subjects need different computers. Essays, presentations and research have different requirements from engineering applications, large design projects or video production.

Check your course’s recommended software before choosing a Mac. Where a course specifies a particular operating system or application, confirm that the machine you are considering meets those requirements.

We can help compare suitable refurbished Macs and discuss current student offers. Allow for any adapters, external storage or other equipment you will need alongside the laptop.

A carefully chosen used Mac can help keep the overall cost manageable, but buying the lowest-priced machine is only useful if it supports your course and has the condition and capacity you need.

Macs for business customers

Complete Mac Solutions also helps businesses choose suitable Macs. Tell us about your applications, monitor setup, remote access requirements and existing equipment before purchasing.

For an older Intel model, confirm that the software and security requirements of your business can be met. If you need several machines, explain whether matching specifications are important and how the laptops will be used.

We can discuss available stock and sourcing options, helping you choose around the work rather than assuming one specification suits every employee.

Used buying checks

Confirm the processor, memory and SSD capacity. Ask about battery health, included accessories, previous repairs and any intermittent problems.

Test every key, the trackpad, Touch ID, camera, microphone and speakers. Check both USB-C ports for charging and suitable connected equipment. Inspect the screen for damage, marks and uneven illumination, and check that the lid moves smoothly.

Make sure the laptop is ready for a new owner, without another owner’s Activation Lock or unwanted organisation management. If software is included in an advert, establish whether its licence can legitimately transfer to you.

Many of our Macs come fully boxed with all accessories and in fantastic condition. We confirm the individual machine’s condition, packaging and included items before purchase.

Repair concerns: battery, charging and heat

As these laptops age, battery condition deserves particular attention. Short running time, unexpected shutdowns or a battery service message should be assessed rather than judged from cycle count alone.

Charging faults can involve the charger, cable, USB-C connections or internal hardware. Diagnosis helps establish the cause before recommending replacement parts.

Warmth and fan noise also need context. A laptop working on a demanding task may behave differently from one sitting idle. If yours has become unusually noisy, slow or prone to shutting down, tell us when it happens and which applications are running.

These are symptoms to investigate, not a claim that every Intel Air develops the same fault. We assess the machine and discuss what we find before proposing work.

Intel MacBook Air 2020 displaying a video editing project

MacBook Air Intel repairs in Bristol

We can assess damaged displays, keyboard and trackpad faults, battery problems, charging issues, liquid damage and Macs that will not start.

If your Mac has suffered liquid damage or the battery appears swollen, stop using and charging it and contact us for advice. Mention important files before authorising work, particularly if the machine will not start.

Repair and data recovery are separate outcomes. A repair may restore access to files, but that should not be assumed or guaranteed without assessment.

We provide repairs in Bristol, with postal arrangements available for UK customers. Contact us before sending your laptop so we can discuss the symptoms and explain the next steps.

Repair or replace your existing Mac?

Compare a repair quotation with the laptop’s overall condition, battery health and suitability for your work. If it still meets your needs, repairing it may be worthwhile.

If your requirements have changed, we can also compare suitable replacement Macs. The aim is to find a practical option, taking account of the whole machine rather than the cost of one part alone.

Refurbished stock, sourcing and warranty

Our stock changes regularly. If you need a particular specification, our supplier network can often help us source a suitable Mac within days, subject to availability.

A refurbished Intel MacBook Air purchased from Complete Mac Solutions comes with a 12-month sales warranty covering qualifying faults that develop under normal use.

Our repair work carries a separate 12-month repair warranty. The sales warranty and repair warranty apply to their respective services.

The sales warranty has exclusions, including accidental damage, liquid damage, misuse and normal battery capacity decline. Covered sales claims include postage both ways within the UK. Full cover and exclusions are explained in our warranty policy, and your statutory rights are unaffected.

Our buying advice

Consider the Intel MacBook Air 2020 when its specification, compatibility, condition and price suit your needs. Identify the configuration accurately, inspect the battery and keyboard, and compare it with available Apple silicon alternatives.

Whether you want to buy a refurbished Mac or repair the one you already own, Complete Mac Solutions can help you assess the options.

References and useful links

Compare the MacBook Air 13-inch Intel (2020) with similar models

The MacBook Air M1 looks almost identical but is much faster, silent and lasts far longer on battery. The MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 models offer more performance if you need to stay with Intel.

Buy or repair a MacBook Air 13-inch Intel (2020)

Contact Complete Mac Solutions to check current stock, ask us to source a specific configuration or book a repair. We supply and repair Macs across the UK. See all models in our Mac model guides.

Image credit

Wikimedia Commons source · Public domain (no credit needed). Resized and compressed to WebP. Design reference: Same design (13-inch Retina, gold).