The Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.8 13" (Mid-2012/USB 3.0) features a 22-nm "Ivy Bridge" 1.8 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (3427U) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded after purchase), 128 GB or 256 GB of flash storage, and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares system memory.

This all is packed in a razor thin (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.96 pound, aluminum case with an integrated 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam, a backlit full-size keyboard and a 13.3" widescreen TFT LED backlit active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution).

Connectivity includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, analog audio out, a "Thunderbolt" port, two USB 3.0 ports, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot. It lacks internal Ethernet, although an external Thunderbolt adapter was offered as a US$29 option.

Compared to its predecessor, this model has a very similar external enclosure, although it has the aforementioned USB 3.0 ports and a new thinner and wider "MagSafe 2" power connector. Internally, however, it has a faster processor, architecture, graphics, RAM, and storage.