Made with better materials
- 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure
- 100% recycled tin in the solder of the main logic board
- 35% or more recycled plastic in multiple components
Smarter chemistry
- Like all Macs, the MacBook Air comes with Apple's latest, greatest operating system, and on the 2011 models it's the OS X Lion. With the Lion operating system you'll get a lot of functional software, such as Mail, Address Book, Time Machine, Safari and Screen Sharing. It also has some fun software, such as Photo Booth, iChat and QuickTime.
- Apple also introduced new formats for video and photos in this version. These formats compress data - that's a benefit as files can get huge with ever-rising resolutions. They added support for virtual reality headsets as well. Besides that, when it comes to Safari, Mac search engine, there are some notable improvements with the update.
- For complete specs on a particular system, click the name of the Mac. For all Macs that are compatible with a specifc maximum supported version of Mac OS X - courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort- click the OS of interest. Systems with 'Current' support the latest version of the macOS, macOS Big Sur (macOS 10.16/macOS 11), currently.
- The MacBook Air ships with Apple's latest macOS 10.15 Catalina, which continues to be a mature and well-thought-out operating system that makes the most of Apple's laptops.
- Arsenic-free display glass
- Mercury-free LED-backlit display
- BFR-, PVC-, and beryllium-free
At Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, Apple executives unveiled the latest version of MacOS, called Big Sur (and also known as MacOS 11). The new operating system will include.
Green manufacturing
- Final assembly supplier sites do not generate any waste sent to landfill6
- All final assembly suppliers are transitioning to 100% renewable energy for Apple production
Responsible packaging
- 100% of virgin wood fiber comes from responsibly managed forests
- Recyclable, majority-fiber packaging
Apple Trade In
Letting go of your old device is easy with Apple Trade In. If it's in good shape, you can trade it in for Apple Store credit. If it's not eligible for credit, we'll recycle it responsibly at no cost to you. Good for you. Good for the planet.
Learn more
Read the MacBook Air Environmental Reports for detailed information on these devices' environmental performance.
Like all Macs, the MacBook Air comes with Apple's latest, greatest operating system, and on the 2011 models it's the OS X Lion. With the Lion operating system you'll get a lot of functional software, such as Mail, Address Book, Time Machine, Safari and Screen Sharing. It also has some fun software, such as Photo Booth, iChat and QuickTime.
As far as Mac operating systems go, OS X Lion really changed the way Mac users interact with their computers. In many ways it moved toward the familiar functionality of touch screen devices, like the iPad and iPhone. For example, through a program called LaunchPad you can access and use apps, including ones you've already purchased for your iPad or iPhone through your iTunes account. What's more, OS X Lion allows you to use the laptop's trackpad to swipe and zoom, using hand motions similar to those on a touchscreen device [source: Apple].
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In addition to Mac operating system, the MacBook Air comes equipped with iLife, which is a software package that includes iPhoto, iMovie and Garage Band [source: Apple]. And don't forget about all the additional software Apple offers that you can add. From iWork -- Apple's office software package with spreadsheet, word processing and presentation programs, to Final Cut Pro -- a dynamic, professional video editing software, Apple offers several tools to help you stay organized, have fun and get the job done.
Even though Apple's standard software is great, there are lots of options to upgrade. For instance, if you love iPhoto but want more professional photo editing tools and options, you can upgrade to Aperture to edit and organize all your photos. Plus, if you already have all your photos in iPhoto, you can easily transfer them to Aperture without hassle [source: Apple].
A popular software for musicians is Logic Studio, which makes it easy to create, mix, manage and perform your music using professional recording and editing tools. You can also transfer your music projects from Garage Band if you decide to upgrade to Logic Studio [source: Apple].
Mac Operating System Download
Want more? There are all kinds of software that's usable on Macs beyond just what Apple offers, including games, creative software and business tools.
