We repair the MacBook Air 13-inch (2012-2017) at our workshop in Bermondsey, from cracked screens and worn batteries to board faults and data recovery. The MacBook Air 13-inch is a 2017 laptop with a 13.3-inch screen, identified by model number A1466. The SSD can be replaced but the memory is soldered, so storage is the only upgrade.
- Model number
- A1466
- Model identifier
- MacBookAir5,2, MacBookAir6,2, MacBookAir7,2
- Released
- 2017
- Type
- Laptop
- Screen
- 13.3-inch
- Storage
- Removable Apple-format SSD
- Memory
- Soldered
MacBook Air 13-inch repairs and upgrades
Screen replacement
The 13.3-inch display is replaced as a complete lid assembly, which also renews the hinges and camera.
Price confirmed before work starts
Keyboard and trackpad repair
Individual keys and keycaps can often be repaired. A keyboard with liquid damage or several dead keys is replaced, which on this model means the top case.
Charging port and power repair
We test the charger, the port and the charging circuit separately. A Mac that will not charge is often a port or a single failed component on the logic board.
SSD and storage upgrade
The SSD in the MacBook Air 13-inch is a removable Apple-format module and can be replaced with a larger compatible drive.
Price confirmed before work starts
Memory
Memory in the MacBook Air 13-inch is soldered and cannot be upgraded. It is worth knowing this before paying anyone for a memory upgrade.
macOS reinstall and repair
We reinstall macOS and migrate your data. Apple no longer offers the latest macOS for this Mac, so we install the newest version it supports.
Battery replacement
The battery is bonded into the top case. We release it with adhesive remover, fit a new one and check the cycle count and charging afterwards. On a 2017 machine a worn battery is the likely cause of short runtime, and we measure its capacity before recommending anything else.
Price confirmed before work starts
We also carry out logic board repair, liquid damage repair, overheating and fan repair, hinge and casing repair, macOS reinstallation on the MacBook Air 13-inch, along with USB, HDMI and audio port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement, webcam and speaker faults and data transfer to a new machine.
Known issues with the MacBook Air 13-inch range
- Older A1466 and A1465 machines have a removable Apple-format SSD, so storage upgrades and straightforward data recovery are both possible.
- The 2018 to 2020 Retina models have Apple’s T2 security chip, which encrypts the soldered SSD. Files can only be read back with the original logic board working.
- The 2018 and 2019 models use the butterfly keyboard, which is replaced together with the top case and battery.
Data recovery from the MacBook Air 13-inch
The SSD in the MacBook Air 13-inch is a removable Apple-format module. We read it in an adapter on our own equipment, so data can usually be recovered even when the Mac itself is beyond repair.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the MacBook Air 13-inch sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the MacBook Air (Intel) range are the newer MacBook Air Retina 13-inch (2018). Storage differs too: removable Apple-format SSD on the MacBook Air 13-inch, soldered to the board on the MacBook Air Retina 13-inch. It is the earliest 13.3-inch model of the range that we list.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the MacBook Air 13-inch be upgraded?
The Apple-format SSD can be replaced with a larger compatible one. Memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded.
My MacBook Air 13-inch will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Usually not. The drive is separate from the fault in most cases, and we can remove it and copy your files even if the machine itself is not worth repairing.
Is a 2017 MacBook Air 13-inch still worth repairing?
It depends on the fault. A battery, SSD or charging socket is usually worth doing. A major board repair on an older machine may cost more than the machine is worth, and if that is the case we will say so.
Where do I find the model number on my Mac?
The model number, an A followed by four digits, is printed in small text on the underside. Apple menu > About This Mac shows the year. For this model, look for A1466.