Key Highlights
- The new MacBook Air featuring the M5 chip debuts at $1,099 for 13-inch configuration
- M5 processor provides AI performance up to 4x faster versus M4, and 9.5x faster compared to M1
- Base storage capacity increased to 512GB with SSD speeds doubled over prior generation
- MacBook Pro equipped with M5 Pro chip begins at $2,199
- Pre-order period begins March 4, retail availability starts March 11
Apple has unveiled its latest MacBook Air powered by the M5 chip, with pricing beginning at $1,099 for the 13-inch variant and $1,299 for the 15-inch option.
The MacBook Pro featuring the M5 Pro processor carries a starting price of $2,199.
The updated Air includes 512GB of base storage — twice the capacity of the M4 version — and supports configurations up to 4TB, marking the first time this storage tier is available.
The solid-state drive performance has also been enhanced, offering double the read/write speeds relative to the earlier model.
The M5 processor incorporates a 10-core CPU paired with up to a 10-core GPU, each GPU core housing a dedicated Neural Accelerator.
According to Apple, the chip achieves AI task performance up to 4x faster than M4, and reaches speeds 9.5x faster than the M1 generation.
The tech giant also states that web performance exceeds PC laptops with Intel Core Ultra X7 processors by up to 50%.
For professional applications, Apple highlights performance gains including up to 6.9x faster AI-driven video enhancement in Topaz Video compared to M1, and 6.5x faster rendering speeds in Blender for 3D workflows.
Technical Specifications
Memory throughput reaches 153GB/s — representing a 28% increase from M4 — which Apple attributes to improved multitasking capabilities and reduced app launch times.
The updated Air incorporates Apple’s N1 wireless module, bringing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity to the MacBook Air lineup for the first time.
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are featured, with capability for connecting up to two external monitors.
Battery endurance maintains the up to 18-hour rating consistent with previous iterations.
The fanless aluminum construction continues, offered in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver finishes for both the 13-inch and 15-inch models.
Operating System Features
The systems arrive with macOS Tahoe pre-installed, incorporating Apple Intelligence capabilities including Live Translation within Messages and enhanced Reminders functionality.
New Shortcuts automation can directly access Apple Intelligence models, enabling workflows such as extracting information from PDFs into spreadsheet formats.
An Edge Light enhancement for video conferencing has been introduced, engineered to optimize facial lighting during calls in dim environments.
Apple indicates the MacBook Air with M5 contains 55% recycled materials, featuring 100% recycled aluminum in the chassis, aligning with the company’s objective to achieve carbon neutrality throughout its operations by 2030.
Pre-ordering commences March 4, with the new MacBook Air becoming available in stores March 11.
