# MacBook Air (3rd generation)

> term for Intel-based MacBook Air models released Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020

**Wikidata**: [Q137427389](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137427389)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air_(3rd_generation))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/macbook-air-3rd-generation

## Summary
MacBook Air (3rd generation) is an umbrella term for the Intel-based MacBook Air models released in Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020. It is part of the Intel-based MacBook Air line and is also referred to as 3rd-generation MacBook Air, Retina MacBook Air, or MacBook Air (Retina).

## Key Facts
- MacBook Air (3rd generation) denotes Intel-based MacBook Air models released in Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020.
- It is an instance of an "umbrella term" and a subclass of MacBook Air (Intel-based).
- The 3rd generation follows the MacBook Air (2nd generation).
- The 3rd generation is followed by the MacBook Air (4th generation).
- The Intel-based MacBook Air product line (2008–2020) was discontinued and replaced by the Apple Silicon MacBook Air in November 2020.
- Common aliases: 3rd-generation MacBook Air; Retina MacBook Air; MacBook Air (Retina).
- Wikimedia Commons image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/MacBook_Air_(3rd_generation,_space_gray).png
- Wikipedia languages/links available: Commons, English, French.
- Structured identifier: dimensions.com element id apple-macbook-air-3rd-generation.
- Sitelink count recorded: 3.

## FAQs
### Q: What models are included in the MacBook Air (3rd generation)?
A: The term covers Intel-based MacBook Air models released in Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020.

### Q: Is the MacBook Air (3rd generation) Intel-based or Apple Silicon?
A: The 3rd generation refers specifically to Intel-based MacBook Air models.

### Q: Is the MacBook Air (3rd generation) still part of Apple's current lineup?
A: The Intel-based MacBook Air line was discontinued in 2020 and replaced by the Apple Silicon MacBook Air in November 2020.

### Q: What other names is the 3rd generation known by?
A: It is also known as 3rd-generation MacBook Air, Retina MacBook Air, and MacBook Air (Retina).

## Why It Matters
MacBook Air (3rd generation) represents the trio of Intel-based MacBook Air releases immediately preceding Apple's transition to Apple Silicon. As an identifiable generation in the MacBook Air lineage, it groups the Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020 models under a single term used in product classification and documentation. This generation is notable in product histories and comparisons because it is the last set of MacBook Air models that belonged to Apple's long-running Intel-based line, which Apple discontinued and replaced with Apple Silicon in November 2020. For researchers, resellers, repair specialists, and consumers comparing Apple laptop generations, the 3rd-generation label provides a clear boundary for Intel-era MacBook Air hardware and helps track changes in naming (including the “Retina” alias), release chronology, and product lineage between the 2nd and 4th generations.

## Notable For
- Denotes the Intel-based MacBook Air models released in Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020.
- Commonly referred to with "Retina" in its aliases (Retina MacBook Air / MacBook Air (Retina)).
- Serves as the final grouped generation within the Intel-based MacBook Air lineage before the November 2020 shift to Apple Silicon.
- Occupies the lineage position between MacBook Air (2nd generation) and MacBook Air (4th generation.

## Body

### Overview
- Term: MacBook Air (3rd generation).
- Nature: umbrella term for a set of models.
- Scope: Intel-based MacBook Air models released in Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020.
- Aliases: 3rd-generation MacBook Air; Retina MacBook Air; MacBook Air (Retina).

### Releases
- Late 2018: one set of models included in the 3rd-generation grouping.
- Mid 2019: one set of models included in the 3rd-generation grouping.
- Early 2020: one set of models included in the 3rd-generation grouping.

### Classification and Lineage
- Subclass of: MacBook Air (Intel-based).
- Follows: MacBook Air (2nd generation).
  - (The 2nd generation term covers Intel-based models released in Late 2010, Mid 2011, Mid 2012, Mid 2013, Early 2014, Early 2015, and Mid 2017.)
- Followed by: MacBook Air (4th generation).
- Discontinuation context: The broader Intel-based MacBook Air line was discontinued in 2020 and replaced by Apple Silicon MacBook Air in November 2020.

### Naming, Identification, and Media
- Wikimedia Commons image available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/MacBook_Air_(3rd_generation,_space_gray).png
- Wikipedia / Wikidata entries exist (languages: commons, en, fr).
- Wikidata description: "term for Intel-based MacBook Air models released Late 2018, Mid 2019, and Early 2020."
- dimensions.com element id: apple-macbook-air-3rd-generation.
- Sitelink count recorded as 3.

### Related Entities
- Parent line: MacBook Air (Intel-based) — the discontinued Apple notebook line from 2008 to 2020.
- Preceding generation: MacBook Air (2nd generation).
- Succeeding generation: MacBook Air (4th generation).