Comparison Apple MacBook Air 13 2014 [MD760] vs Apple MacBook Air 13 2012 [MD231]

The specific model of the processor installed in the laptop, or rather, the processor index within its series (see above). Knowing the full name of the processor (series and model), you can find detailed information on it (up to practical reviews) and clarify its capabilities.

The clock speed of the processor installed in the laptop (for multi-core processors, the frequency of each individual core).

Theoretically, a higher clock speed has a positive effect on performance, as it allows the processor to perform more operations per unit of time. However, in fact, the capabilities of the CPU depend on a number of other characteristics — primarily on the series to which it belongs (see above). It even happens that of the two chips, the more performant in the overall result is the slower one. With this in mind, it makes sense to compare by clock frequency only processors of the same series, and ideally, also of the same generation; and the laptop as a whole should be judged by the complex characteristics of the system, as well as by the results of tests (see below).

The result shown by the laptop processor in the Passmark CPU Mark test.

Passmark CPU Mark is a comprehensive test that is more detailed and reliable than the popular 3DMark06 (see above). It checks not only the gaming capabilities of the CPU, but also its performance in other modes, based on which it displays the overall score; this score can be used to fairly reliably evaluate the processor as a whole (the more points, the higher the performance).

The clock speed of the RAM installed in the laptop.

The higher the frequency (with the same type and amount of memory) — the higher the performance of RAM in general and the faster the laptop will cope with resource-intensive tasks. However modules with the same frequency may differ somewhat in actual performance due to differences in other characteristics; but this difference becomes significant only in very specific cases, for the average user it is not critical. As for specific values, the most popular modules on the modern market are 2400 MHz, 2666 MHz, 2933 MHz and 3200 MHz. Memory at 2133 MHz or less is found mainly in outdated and low-cost devices, and in high-performance configurations this parameter is 2933 MHz, 3200 MHz, 4266 MHz, 4800 MHz, 5200 MHz, 5500 MHz, 5600 MHz, 6000 MHz, 6400 MHz and more.

GeForce graphics cards from NVIDIA: RTX including RTX 2060, RTX 2060 Max-Q, RTX 2070, RTX 2070 Max-Q, RTX 2070 Super, RTX 2070 Super Max-Q, RTX 2080, RTX 2080 Max-Q, RTX 2080 Super, RTX 2080 Super Max-Q, RTX 3050, RTX 3050 Ti, RTX 3060, RTX 3060 Max-Q, RTX 3070, RTX 3070 Max-Q, RTX 3070 Ti, RTX 3080, RTX 3080 Ti, RTX 4050, RTX 4060, RTX 4070, RTX 4080, RTX 4090, RTX 5050, RTX 5060, RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, RTX 5090; MX1xx...including MX110, MX130, and MX150, MX2xx (MX230 and MX250), MX3xx (MX330 and MX350), MX450, GTX which includes GTX 1050, GTX 1060, GTX 1060 Max-Q, GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Max-Q, GTX 1080, GTX 1080 Max-Q, GTX 1650, GTX 1650 Max-Q, GTX 1650 Ti, GTX 1660 Ti, GTX 1660 Ti Max-Q and more. AMD offers graphics cards Radeon 520, Radeon 530 (535), Radeon 540X, Radeon 610 (625, 630), Radeon RX 550 (550X, 560), Radeon RX 640, Radeon RX 5500M, Radeon RX 6800M and Radeon Pro.

It should be noted that all the models mentioned above are discrete. Indeed, for a configuration with discrete graphics, the specific model of the separate video adapter is indicated; if it is supplemented by an integrated module, the name of this module can be clarified by the official processor specifications.

It is also worth mentioning that this section provides not the full name of the model, but only its name within the series (with the series itself mentioned separately—see above). Nevertheless, knowing the series and model, one can easily find detailed information about the graphics card.

The result shown by the laptop's graphics card in the 3DMark06 test.

This test primarily determines how well the graphics card handles intensive loads, particularly with detailed 3D graphics. The test result is indicated in points; the more points, the higher the performance of the video adapter. High results in 3DMark06 are especially important for gaming laptops and advanced workstations. However, their reliability is questionable because measurements are taken on graphics cards with different TDP and an averaged score is given. Thus, your laptop may have a higher or lower result than indicated — it all depends on the TDP of the installed graphics card.

The result shown by the laptop's graphics card in the 3DMark Vantage P test.

Vantage P is one of the variations of the popular 3DMark test, specifically the next version of this test after 3DMark06 (see above). Like all similar tests, it is designed to assess graphics performance under high loads and presents results in points; the more points, the more powerful and efficient the graphics card is. High results in 3DMark Vantage P are especially important if the laptop is intended for demanding games. However, it's difficult to call them reliable since measurements are taken on graphics cards with different TDPs, and an overall averaged score is given. Thus, your laptop may have a result either greater than or less than the specified one, all depending on the TDP of the installed graphics card.

The total amount of built-in storage is typically shown as the cumulative capacity when multiple drives are installed. For example, 512 GB + 1 TB is considered 1.5 TB, even though they are physically two separate drives. When total storage capacity reaches 2 TB and above, laptops are often chosen not just to "have enough space," but for specific scenarios involving heavy data: large game libraries, RAW photos, video editing projects, local backups, virtual machines. Moreover, "2 TB on one drive" and "2 TB total" can feel different: one large SSD is easier to manage and transfer projects, while a total of 2 TB might be more convenient if it comprises two drives with different roles, like a fast SSD for the system and work files plus a second drive for archiving. The speed and comfort depend on the exact type of drives. For example, for a videographer, 2–4 TB total offers the ability to keep active projects locally while on the go, and for a gamer, it allows installing many games without constant deletions, especially if part of the capacity is allocated to a separate drive.

A device for working with removable memory cards. Usually, it looks like a characteristic slot right on the laptop case, into which the media is inserted. There are different standards for memory cards, a list of compatible standards is indicated in the note to this item. It is worth noting here that for modern laptops it is almost mandatory to support the SD format and its modifications — SD HC, often also SD XC; other options may also be envisaged, but they have not received such distribution. Anyway, this feature is convenient because memory cards are widely used in other types of electronics: for example, SD is the generally accepted standard in digital cameras, and microSD (compatible with SD slots through simple adapters) is used in smartphones. Accordingly, the presence of a card reader greatly facilitates the exchange of data between a laptop and external devices.