MacBook Air has no fan: what happens when it gets hot
How a fanless MacBook Air handles heat, why it slows down under long heavy work, and how to tell if that is what you are seeing.
Does the MacBook Air have a fan?
Apple silicon MacBook Air models are fanless. They cool through the case, which is silent but limits how long they can run at full speed.
Why does my MacBook Air slow down under load?
After several minutes of heavy work it reduces processor speed to keep temperature in range. That is thermal throttling by design, not a fault.
How do I check it is throttling?
sudo powermetrics --samplers thermal -i 2000 -n 3A pressure level other than Nominal during the slowdown confirms it: thermal throttling on a Mac.
Common questions
Does the MacBook Air throttle?
Yes, during long heavy work. Short bursts run at full speed.
Is it bad that my MacBook Air gets hot?
Warm under load is normal. It slows itself before heat becomes harmful.