The most powerful MacBook Air ever is just weeks away. Apple is widely expected to be putting the finishing touches on a new model with the speedy M5 processor. The faster chip will be enough for shoppers to question whether they really need the MacBook Pro they have their eye on.
Consider the advantages of a MacBook Air, and why now is a terrible time to buy any macOS notebook.
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MacBook Air: The right choice for most people
Picture in your mind a midlevel corporate executive. Ask them what computer they use, and they say, “A professional like me needs the capabilities of a MacBook Pro. There’s no way a MacBook Air could handle it.” They then spend the rest of the day reading emails, making Zoom calls, and editing spreadsheets.
Don’t be this guy. There’s nothing in their typical tasks that requires one of Apple’s high-end processors. For an average executive whose work is mostly email, web pages, spreadsheets, presentations, PDFs and Zoom/Teams calls, a MacBook Air is the best option.
Some people hold out for a MacBook Pro so they can get Apple’s M4 Max or M4 Pro processor, even if they don’t need one. These chips are for editing huge amounts of video, doing 3D design and rendering, producing professional-grade music and similar tasks. If that’s not you … It doesn’t matter how full your inbox is — a faster processor won’t help clear it.
But hold out for the M5 MacBook Air
Even if your job doesn’t require high-end performance, you don’t want to buy a brand-new MacBook with an M4 chip. Not when a faster option is right around the corner.
The Apple M5 chip launched in the fall, and numerous reports point to it arriving in MacBook Airs in the near future. Even without those rumors, it’s a safe assumption, considering the M3 version came in March 2024 and the M4 Air in March 2025. The next one is expected in (you guessed it) March.
Look forward to the M5 bringing a 15% to 20% general performance improvement versus the M4. And graphics and AI-related tasks get more of a boost.
While not a life-changing improvement, a speed boost makes the M5 worth waiting a few weeks for … unless you’re in a massive hurry.
Just don’t get your hopes up for other changes — this likely will be a “chip-and-ship” update. Apple is anticipated to keep the same thin, fanless MacBook Air chassis with the fresh chip inside. There are no rumors of new display sizes, touchscreen support or major form-factor changes.
Lower cost plus longer battery
The M5 MacBook Air is likely to hit store shelves at about the same time as the MacBook Pro gets new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. While the temptation to max out your Mac is understandable, think carefully — the base M5 is the best option for most people.
Cost is the obvious advantage. The MacBook Air starts at $999, while the MacBook Pro starts at $1,599 — 60% more. An M5 Pro version will likely cost at least $1,999. Don’t pay double for performance you’ll never use.
And even if your company is picking up the tab, Apple’s top-tier processors cut into battery life. The Pro and Max chip variants include more performance cores and significantly more GPU cores, which consume more power even when idling. And they run hotter, which requires a fan for cooling — another battery drain.
On the other hand …
Although Apple likes to call the MacBook Air “the world’s most popular laptop,” the MacBook Pro sells very well, too — for good reasons.
The MacBook Pro provides more screen real estate through its 16-inch variant, surpassing the Air’s 15-inch maximum to offer a significantly larger canvas for multitasking and high-precision creative projects. Plus, the higher-priced models offer ProMotion technology for a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a level of visual fluidity and peak brightness that the Air cannot match.
In addition, the Pro offers a wider selection of physical connectivity options, including an HDMI port and an SDXC card slot, reducing the need for external adapters.
For some people, these additional features justify paying a significant premium for a MacBook Pro. Just make sure that’s you before you shell out for the pricier model.
Save on an M4 MacBook Pro now
While paying full price for an M4 MacBook Air with the launch of the M5 version mere weeks away is a mistake, buying one at a substantial discount might make sense for you. Especially considering the M5 MacBook Air will have the same general design.
The M5 version will absolutely be faster, but saving $150 might still be the better option for you.
Powered by Apple's M4 chip, this 13-inch laptop delivers excellent performance and extreme efficiency in the same gorgeous design as last year's model. It packs two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe connector for fast charging, with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. It comes in four colors, including an interesting new sky blue.
- Outstanding Apple design
- 18-hour battery life
- Supports Apple Intelligence
- Limited ports
MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you blaze through work and play. With Apple Intelligence, up to 18 hours of battery life, and an incredibly portable design, you can take on anything, anywhere.
- Slim and light
- Gorgeous 15-inch high-res screen
- Powerful M4 processor
- Minimal ports
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
One response to “This killer feature will make M5 MacBook Air a must-buy”
Short of editing a professional film, photo or music file on a daily basis, no one *needs* an M5 Air. All of the tasks Apple says their rumoured ‘cheap’ MacBook Air will be able to be accomplished is what most users need. Or want.
This all justifying price hikes on a device that used to be the (compatible) inexpensive go-to for students, road warriors and cafe habitues.