Quick answer: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and choose About This Mac. The window that opens shows your model name and year (for example, “MacBook Air (M2, 2022)”) plus the chip inside. If the Mac won’t turn on, flip it over — the “A-number” etched into the bottom case (like A2337) identifies the exact model, and our chart below translates every common A-number since 2013.
Method 1: About This Mac (fastest — 10 seconds)
On any Mac that boots:
- Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the menu bar.
- Choose About This Mac.
- Read the first line: it lists the model family, screen size, chip, and year — e.g. “MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)” with “Apple M1 Pro.”
On macOS Ventura and newer the window also shows memory and storage at a glance. On older versions, click System Report (or More Info) for the full breakdown, including the model identifier such as MacBookAir10,1.
Method 2: Serial number lookup (works even if macOS is wiped)
Every Mac has a unique serial number in four places:
- About This Mac — listed directly in the overview window.
- The bottom case — tiny etched text near the regulatory markings.
- The original box — on the barcode label.
- Your Apple ID account — under Devices at appleid.apple.com if the Mac was ever signed in.
Enter that serial at Apple’s coverage checker (checkcoverage.apple.com) and it returns the exact model name and year, plus any remaining AppleCare. This is the method we recommend when buying used — it also confirms the seller’s listing matches the actual machine. Our guide on what to check when buying a used MacBook covers the rest of that inspection.
Method 3: The A-number on the bottom case (works on a dead Mac)
If the MacBook won’t power on, the bottom case still tells you what it is. Flip it over and look for “Model A” followed by four digits. Match it here:
Apple silicon MacBooks (2020–2024)
| A-number | Model | Chip | Refurb price at LC |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2337 | MacBook Air 13″ (2020) | M1 | $450 |
| A2681 | MacBook Air 13″ (2022) | M2 | $549 |
| A2941 | MacBook Air 15″ (2023) | M2 | — |
| A3113 | MacBook Air 13″ (2024) | M3 | $849 |
| A3114 | MacBook Air 15″ (2024) | M3 | $949 |
| A2338 | MacBook Pro 13″ (2020/2022) | M1 / M2 | — |
| A2442 | MacBook Pro 14″ (2021) | M1 Pro / Max | $879 |
| A2485 | MacBook Pro 16″ (2021) | M1 Pro / Max | — |
| A2779 | MacBook Pro 14″ (2023) | M2 Pro / Max | $1,099 |
| A2780 | MacBook Pro 16″ (2023) | M2 Pro / Max | — |
| A2918 / A2992 | MacBook Pro 14″ (2023, late) | M3 / M3 Pro / Max | $1,399 |
| A2991 | MacBook Pro 16″ (2023, late) | M3 Pro / Max | — |
Common Intel MacBooks (2013–2020)
| A-number | Model | Years |
|---|---|---|
| A1466 | MacBook Air 13″ (non-Retina) | 2013–2017 |
| A1932 | MacBook Air Retina | 2018–2019 |
| A2179 | MacBook Air (Intel) | 2020 |
| A1706 / A1708 | MacBook Pro 13″ | 2016–2017 |
| A1990 | MacBook Pro 15″ | 2018–2019 |
| A2141 | MacBook Pro 16″ | 2019 |
One A-number can cover several configurations (different storage, RAM, or even chip generations on A2338), so use the serial lookup when you need the precise year. If your A-number is in the Intel table, read our Intel vs Apple silicon guide before spending money on upgrades — an Intel machine is usually worth trading toward an M-series Mac instead.
Intel or Apple silicon? The one line that matters
In About This Mac, look at the Chip (or Processor) line. If it says Apple M1, M2, M3, or anything starting with “Apple,” you have Apple silicon. If it names an Intel Core i5/i7/i9, you have an Intel Mac. This single fact determines your macOS update runway, your battery life, and most of your resale value — see how long MacBooks actually last for the year-by-year support picture.
What your model is worth once you know it
The reason most people ask “what MacBook do I have?” is that they’re about to sell it, trade it, or replace it. Once you have the model and year:
- Trading up? LC takes trade-ins — even broken ones. Start at our trade-in page or read the full trade-in guide.
- Replacing it? Every Luxury Certified Mac we sell ships free (no minimum), includes a compatible charger, a 1-year whole-machine warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee — details on the warranty page and FAQ.
- Just browsing? The MacBook Air collection starts at $450 for the M1.
Identification checklist
- ☐ Apple menu → About This Mac → note model name, year, chip
- ☐ Note the serial number (About This Mac or bottom case)
- ☐ Verify at checkcoverage.apple.com
- ☐ Dead Mac? Match the A-number on the bottom case to the chart above
- ☐ Note storage and memory (About This Mac → More Info)
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out what MacBook I have without turning it on?
Flip it over and read the A-number etched into the bottom case (e.g. A2337 = MacBook Air M1). For the exact year, type the serial number — also etched on the bottom — into Apple’s coverage checker at checkcoverage.apple.com.
Where is the serial number on a MacBook?
Four places: the About This Mac window, the etched text on the bottom case, the barcode label on the original box, and the Devices list at appleid.apple.com if the Mac was signed in to your Apple ID.
How do I know if my MacBook is Intel or Apple silicon?
Open About This Mac and read the Chip/Processor line. “Apple M1/M2/M3” means Apple silicon; “Intel Core i5/i7/i9” means Intel. Every MacBook released from late 2020 onward (except the 2020 Intel Air and 13″ Pro) is Apple silicon.
What year is my MacBook?
About This Mac shows the year in the model name, e.g. “MacBook Air (13-inch, M2, 2022).” On a wiped or dead machine, the serial number lookup at checkcoverage.apple.com returns the year.
Does the exact model matter when selling or trading in?
Yes — the year and chip are the two biggest value drivers. An M1 Air and an M2 Air look nearly identical but sell for different prices, and quoting the wrong model slows down any trade-in. Identify first, then get a quote on our trade-in page.
Still not sure what you have? Call us at (740) 223-5530 — real humans in Marion, Ohio. Read the serial number to us and we’ll identify it (and quote a trade-in value) on the spot.