MacBook identification guide
Which MacBook Do I Have? How to Identify Your MacBook Model
MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook Neo, M2, M3, M4, M5, 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch or 16-inch — Apple's laptop range can get confusing surprisingly quickly.
If you need a case, charger, replacement part or precision-cut MacBook skin, knowing that you simply own a "MacBook Air" usually isn't enough. You need the exact model, size and generation.
Fortunately, your Mac can normally tell you exactly what it is in less than a minute.
Quick answer: how do I find out which MacBook I have?
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and choose About This Mac. Your Mac will display information including its model, chip or processor and serial number. For most people, this is the quickest and safest way to identify a MacBook.
Similar name. Different Mac.
Why knowing the exact MacBook model matters
Apple often keeps similar product names for several generations. There are multiple versions of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with similar screen sizes and very similar-looking aluminium bodies.
Two laptops that both look like a 13-inch MacBook Air can have different dimensions, ports, feet, screw positions, keyboard layouts and body details.
Those differences matter when you're buying something that needs to physically fit the computer — particularly a precision-cut vinyl skin.
Use About This Mac
If your MacBook switches on normally, this is the easiest place to start.
Click:
Apple menu → About This Mac
The information displayed will normally give you enough detail to identify the MacBook family and hardware inside it.
Write these details down
What information should I look for?
✓ MacBook family — Air, Pro or Neo
✓ Screen size
✓ Chip or processor
✓ Serial number
✓ Year or generation where shown
M-series, A-series or Intel
Does your Mac say "Chip" or "Processor"?
This is another useful clue when identifying a MacBook.
Apple silicon MacBook
On Macs using Apple silicon, About This Mac displays Chip followed by the chip name.
Examples include M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5-family chips.
The MacBook Neo uses Apple's A18 Pro chip rather than an M-series chip, but is also part of Apple's modern silicon-powered MacBook range.
Intel MacBook
Older Intel-based Macs display Processor rather than Chip.
If you see an Intel Core processor listed, you have an Intel-generation Mac rather than a modern Apple-silicon model.
Need more detail?
Find the Mac model identifier in System Information
If you want a more technical way to identify your MacBook, macOS also provides a Model Identifier.
Hold the Option key while clicking the Apple menu and choose System Information. Select Hardware.
Depending on the Mac, you'll see an identifier such as Mac15,12, Mac17,2 or another model-specific identifier.
Examples
What does a MacBook model identifier look like?
Here are a few examples showing why the identifier can be useful. These are examples rather than a complete list of every Mac Apple has produced.
| MacBook | Year / Chip | Model Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Air 13-inch | M3, 2024 | Mac15,12 |
| MacBook Air 13-inch | M5, 2026 | Mac17,3 |
| MacBook Air 15-inch | M5, 2026 | Mac17,4 |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch | M5, 2025 | Mac17,2 |
| MacBook Pro 14-inch | M5 Pro / M5 Max, 2026 | Mac17,7 / Mac17,9 |
| MacBook Pro 16-inch | M5 Pro / M5 Max, 2026 | Mac17,6 / Mac17,8 |
Find the serial number
Your MacBook's serial number is another reliable route to identifying exactly what you have.
When the Mac is working, the serial number is available in About This Mac.
You can then use Apple's support tools to identify the machine.
If the Mac won't start
Check the underside or original box
Apple states that the serial number is normally printed on the Mac itself, usually on the underside near the regulatory markings.
It may also appear on the original packaging beside the barcode.
Enter the serial number into Apple's Check Coverage service to help identify the device.
Don't have the MacBook with you?
Check the Macs connected to your Apple Account
If the Mac is linked to your Apple Account, you may also be able to identify it without having the laptop in front of you.
Sign in to your Apple Account, open the list of devices and select the Mac. Apple can display information including the model name and serial number.
Air, Pro or Neo?
First identify the MacBook family
Modern Apple's portable Mac range now contains several distinct MacBook families.
MacBook Air
Apple's thin-and-light MacBook range.
Recent generations have been available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, with several M-series chip generations sharing a broadly similar appearance.
MacBook Pro
Apple's higher-performance laptop range.
Modern versions include 14-inch and 16-inch models, with standard, Pro and Max versions of Apple silicon chips depending on generation.
MacBook Neo
MacBook Neo joined Apple's Mac range in 2026.
It uses a 13-inch display and Apple's A18 Pro chip, so don't assume a 13-inch MacBook Neo uses the same accessories or dimensions as a 13-inch MacBook Air.
Looks can be misleading
Can I identify my MacBook just by looking at it?
Sometimes you can narrow the possibilities down by colour, ports, display size, notch, MagSafe connector or general chassis design.
But appearance should not be your only check.
Apple regularly keeps similar external designs across several generations. A small change to the body, feet, screw positions or keyboard surround can still matter when fitting a skin, hard case or precision-made accessory.
Before buying a MacBook skin
The four details we'd recommend checking
✓ Family: MacBook Air, MacBook Pro or MacBook Neo
✓ Screen size: for example 13.6-inch, 14-inch, 15.3-inch or 16-inch
✓ Chip: for example M3, M4, M5, M5 Pro or A18 Pro
✓ Year / model identifier: useful when several generations have similar names
Precision-cut means model-specific
Why the exact model matters when ordering a MacBook skin
A proper MacBook skin isn't a rectangle of vinyl that you trim yourself. It is designed around the dimensions and details of a specific laptop.
XtremeSkins MacBook skins are precision cut for compatible MacBook models, with available sections designed around the relevant body shape and exterior details.
That means choosing the wrong generation can result in incorrect dimensions or cut-outs even when the laptops look extremely similar.
Still not sure?
Check Apple's official model lists
Apple maintains identification pages covering individual generations, model identifiers, years and specifications.
MacBook Air
Compare your MacBook Air against Apple's official model list.
MacBook Pro
Find MacBook Pro generations, model identifiers and hardware details.
Older MacBook
Apple also maintains an identification list for the older MacBook range.
Frequently asked questions
MacBook model identification FAQs
How do I find out exactly which MacBook I have?
Click Apple menu and select About This Mac. This is normally the quickest way to find information about your MacBook, including its model, chip or processor and serial number.
How do I find my MacBook model number?
Open System Information and look under Hardware for identifying information including the model identifier. You can open System Information by holding Option while clicking the Apple menu.
What is a MacBook model identifier?
A model identifier is a technical identifier used to distinguish Mac hardware models. Modern examples include formats such as Mac15,12 or Mac17,3, while older Macs may use identifiers such as MacBookPro or MacBookAir followed by generation numbers.
How do I find the year of my MacBook?
Start with About This Mac and identify the model and chip. Apple's official MacBook Air and MacBook Pro identification pages then list the year each model was introduced alongside its model identifier and specifications.
Can I identify my MacBook using the serial number?
Yes. The serial number can be found in About This Mac and is usually also printed on the underside of the MacBook. Apple's support services can use the serial number to help identify the device.
Where is the serial number if my MacBook won't switch on?
Apple states that the serial number is usually printed on the Mac itself near the regulatory markings. It may also be printed on the original packaging beside the barcode.
Is the screen size enough to choose a MacBook skin?
No. Several MacBook generations can have similar screen sizes while using different body dimensions or exterior details. Check the exact family, size and generation before ordering a precision-cut MacBook skin.
How can I tell whether my MacBook is Intel or Apple silicon?
Open About This Mac. Apple-silicon Macs show an entry labelled Chip, while Intel-based Macs show Processor followed by the Intel processor name.
What's the difference between MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and MacBook Neo?
They are separate MacBook families with different hardware, dimensions and specifications. Even where the display size is similar, you should not assume that skins, cases or other model-specific accessories are interchangeable.
Which MacBook skin should I order?
Once you've identified the exact MacBook family, screen size, chip and generation, select the matching product from the XtremeSkins MacBook skins range . If you're still unsure, contact us with the details shown in About This Mac before ordering.
Identify it. Then customise it.
Found your MacBook model?
Now you can choose a precision-cut skin designed for the correct MacBook rather than hoping two similar-looking models are the same.
Browse MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and MacBook Neo skins, then choose your colour, texture or design using the XtremeSkins customiser.