MacBook Air Repair Guide: M1/M2/M3 & Intel Models

Pro Tip

Key Takeaways:

• • MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop—and most commonly repaired
• • Battery replacement is the #1 repair across all Air generations (40% of all repairs)
• • M1/M2/M3 Airs are extremely reliable but have zero DIY upgrade options
• • Older Intel Airs (2017 and earlier) can still have RAM and SSD upgraded
• • Independent repair saves 30-50% vs Apple for most Air repairs

The MacBook Air has been Apple's best-selling laptop since its redesign with Apple Silicon. Millions of people rely on these machines daily—and eventually, things break. Batteries wear out, screens crack, keyboards fail.

This guide covers everything you need to know about MacBook Air repairs: what commonly breaks, what's actually fixable, and what you'll pay in the UK. Whether you're deciding between repair and replacement, or just want to understand your options, we've got you covered.

Did You Know?

Our MacBook Air Repair Results (2025)

• • 312 MacBook Airs repaired - our most common Mac repair
• • Battery replacements: 41% of all Air repairs
• • Screen repairs: 28% - cracked displays and backlight issues
• • Most common model: M1 MacBook Air (2020) - now 3-4 years old
• • Average repair time: Same-day for batteries, 24-48hrs for screens
• • Customer saving vs Apple: Average £120 on battery, £200+ on screen

Data from celltech repair logs, January-December 2025

MacBook Air Generations Explained

Common Issues by Generation

M1/M2/M3 MacBook Air (2020-Present)

• Battery degradation - After 2-3 years of heavy use, expect 80% capacity
• Screen damage - The thin bezels are beautiful but fragile
• Keyboard/trackpad issues - Less common than Intel era but happens
• USB-C port damage - From cable stress or debris

Intel Retina MacBook Air (2018-2020)

• Flexgate - Display cable failure causing backlight issues
• Butterfly keyboard - 2018-2019 models have problematic keyboards
• Battery swelling - More common in this generation
• T2 chip failures - Can cause boot issues

Older MacBook Air (2010-2017)

• Worn batteries - Most are well past their cycle count
• Failing SSDs - Original SSDs showing their age
• Trackpad issues - Often caused by battery swelling
• Display hinge wear - Becomes loose over time

Screen Repairs

MacBook Air screens vary significantly by generation. M2/M3 models use a new design that's more expensive to replace, while older models are more straightforward.

Keyboard & Trackpad Issues

The 2018-2019 MacBook Air used the problematic butterfly keyboard—the same design that plagued MacBook Pros. If you have one of these models and experience sticky, unresponsive, or double-typing keys, replacement is usually the answer.

M1 and later models use the reliable Magic Keyboard. Failures are rare, but when they happen, Apple replaces the entire top case (keyboard + battery + trackpad + chassis). Independent shops can sometimes repair individual keys.

Battery Replacement

Battery replacement is the most common MacBook Air repair. Here's what to expect:

Logic Board Repairs

Logic board issues on MacBook Air are less common than MacBook Pro but do happen. Liquid damage, power surges, and component failure can all cause problems.

Apple doesn't repair logic boards—they replace them entirely at £400-600+. Independent repair shops can often fix the actual fault (a failed chip, corroded trace, or damaged component) for a fraction of that cost.

Did You Know?

Board-level repair: For complex logic board issues, see our complete Mac board-level repair guide explaining the 5 levels of repair complexity.

UK Repair Costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Which MacBook Air is most reliable?

The M1 MacBook Air (2020) is remarkably reliable. It runs cool without a fan, has no moving parts except the keyboard, and uses Apple's mature first-generation Silicon. M2/M3 models are also excellent but slightly more complex.

Can I upgrade the RAM or storage in my MacBook Air?

Not on any model from 2018 onwards—RAM and storage are soldered. Older Airs (2017 and earlier) have replaceable SSDs—see our SSD upgrade guide. No MacBook Air has had upgradeable RAM since 2012.

Is it worth repairing a 5-year-old MacBook Air?

Depends on the repair. Battery replacement on an M1 Air? Absolutely—that machine has years of life left. Screen replacement on a 2018 Intel model? Probably worth it. Logic board on a 2017 model? Calculate carefully against replacement.

How long should a MacBook Air last?

With good care and one battery replacement, 6-8 years is reasonable. Apple Silicon models may last even longer since they run cooler and have better efficiency.