Having the possibility to unlock your MacBook with a touch of the Touch ID sensor (practically like on a phone) is a big quality of life improvement and it is becoming more and more popular, when you get used to it it is hard to go back, I know! But which MacBook comes with this feature?
With the introduction of the Apple T2 security chips in the MacBook Air in 2018, the TouchID has become a standard feature on all of Apple’s MacBook lineup. Prior to this, the Touch ID was a feature present mainly on the MacBook Pro, but now all MacBook Air users can enjoy instant log-in via fingerprint.
All MacBooks build around Apple’s silicon come with Touch Id, if you get an M1 MacBook you will be able to enjoy instant log-in offered by the Touch ID technology. All Apple’s M chips come with the security build in so it was very convenient to include the Touch ID with all MacBooks.
In this article, we will explore which models of MacBook Air and Pro come with Touch Id, and in the end, we will see which is more secure, Touch ID or Face ID, so keep reading!
Does MacBook Air Use Touch ID?
Apple has implemented Touch ID on the latest MacBook models, including the MacBook Air, and has also begun using it in the iPad Pro. If you buy a MacBook Air with the new Apple silicon (M1 chips) you can enjoy the Touch ID feature, but if you will buy an older MacBook Air with an Intel processor most likely it will come without Touch ID.
How does Touch ID work on a MacBook Air? Touch ID is a feature that allows Mac users to log in and unlock their Macs using a fingerprint. It can also be used to unlock items that have passwords. Using Touch ID on a MacBook Air may not be suitable for everyone, but it is a popular option among many people.
Apple’s fingerprint sensor uses capacitive touch technology to recognize your fingerprint. It has a thickness of 170 um and a resolution of 500 pixels per inch. Because Touch ID can read your finger from all directions, it’s highly accurate. The sensor creates a map of your fingerprint-based on the subepidermal layers of your skin. Fortunately, the technology is also fast, and it’s not difficult to use.
Which MacBook Air has Touch ID?
Apple introduced Touch ID to its MacBook Air lineup in 2018 by including the T2 security (introduced on iPhone 5S in 2016) chip and a fingerprint sensor on the keyboard, prior to 2018 All MacBook Air models came without Touch ID.
All MacBooks based on Apple’s silicon include the Touch ID, so if you buy a new MacBook Air you will have the possibility to lock in and sign transactions with the improved security of Touch ID. In the table below you can find all the versions of MacBook Air that come with Touch ID:
| MacBook Air Model | Release Date |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air Retina, 13-inch | 30 October 2018 |
| MacBook Air Retina, 13-inch | 9 July 2019 |
| MacBook Air Retina, 13-inch | 18 March 2020 |
| MacBook Air (M1, 2020) | 10 November 2020 |
If you want to know how to set up Touch ID on a MacBook Air I recommend you watch the short and informative video below:
Do all MacBook Pros Have Touch ID?
Not all models of MacBook Pros have Touch ID, models older than 2016 will not have the Touch ID technology implemented but newer models will come with Touch ID.
SO you only need to worry about ATouch ID if you buy an older second-hand or refurbished MacBook Pro because newer models will come with Touch ID. In the table below you can see all the models of Macbook Pro that come with Touch ID:
| MacBook Pro Model | Release Date |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch | 12 November 2016 |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch | 5 June 2017 |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch | 12 July 2018 |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch and 15-inch | 21 May 2019 |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch | 13 November 2019 |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch | 4 May 2020 |
| MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 | 17 November 2020 |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch | 26 October 2021 |
Is Face ID Better Than Fingerprint?
Using Face ID on MacBooks is more secure than fingerprints. Apple is already planning for this, and it’s possible that the technology will replace Touch ID. Apple claims that this biometric security measure is 20 times more secure than fingerprints. It is designed in such that it’s unlikely to be hampered by the presence of other objects.
Another advantage of Face ID is its accessibility. People with low vision or blindness can use it to unlock their devices. By enabling “Require Attention” for Face ID, they can turn off fingerprint authentication. The feature is automatically disabled when using VoiceOver. However, Touch ID will remain available. There’s still no timetable on whether it’s the better option for the MacBooks.
Apple’s Face ID has been available on other Apple products for some time, but it’s not yet available on MacBooks. Apple is reportedly planning to bring Face ID to the Mac in a few years.
Despite the security offered by Touch ID, you’re still required to enter a password to use it. This is a major downside of Touch ID, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. Touch ID allows you to store up to five fingerprints and switch between accounts with ease.
Touch ID can be used even when you’re immobilized while Face ID requires you to be looking into the camera while you’re awake.
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I started building and fixing PCs in high school. After a couple of years of offering consultancy to a PC repair shop, I became the goto guy for all my acquaintances for PC/Laptop related buying advice or troubleshooting.
