Can someone explain which operating system comes with the MacBook Air and whether it supports other operating systems like Windows or Linux?
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Every MacBook Air comes pre-installed with macOS, Apple’s proprietary operating system.
If you want to run other operating systems on it, the rules changed completely when Apple switched from Intel processors to their own Apple Silicon (M-series chips like the M1, M2, or M3) starting in 2020.
Here is how Windows and Linux work on modern MacBook Airs:
Windows (Virtualization Only): You cannot install Windows natively anymore. Apple completely removed the old “Boot Camp” feature. However, you can run the ARM-based version of Windows 11 incredibly fast using a virtual machine app like Parallels Desktop or UTM. It runs smoothly right inside a window on top of your Mac desktop.
Linux (Virtual or Native): You can easily run any Linux distribution inside a virtual machine. If you want to run Linux natively directly on the Mac’s hardware (“bare metal”), a community project called Asahi Linux allows you to do just that. Apple actually built a feature into the hardware that allows booting custom kernels, though some niche hardware features like external monitors can still be a bit hit-or-miss depending on your specific Mac model.
If you need Windows or Linux for coding, school, or specific apps, running them through a virtual machine on a MacBook Air handles it effortlessly. If your goal is to wipe the drive completely and turn it into a dedicated Windows PC, you are out of luck.