The Apple MacBook Air "Core i5" 1.6 11" (Mid-2011/Thunderbolt) features a 32-nm "Sandy Bridge" 1.6 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (2467M) with two independent processor "cores" on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 2 GB or 4 GB of onboard 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded after purchase), 64 GB or 128 GB of flash storage, and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor with either 256 MB or 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with system memory. This all is packed in a razor thin (0.11-0.68 inch), 2.3 pound, aluminum case with an integrated "FaceTime" video camera, a backlit full-size keyboard (the function keys are smaller, however) and an 11.6" widescreen TFT LED backlit active-matrix "glossy" display (1366x768 native resolution).

Connectivity includes 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, dual USB 2.0 ports and analog audio out as well as a new "Thunderbolt" port that is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and likewise supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal as well. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions. It lacks internal Ethernet (an external USB adapter is available as a US$29 upgrade) and lacks Firewire and optical audio in/out as well.