Apple has officially introduced its latest MacBook Air with M5, upgrading the world’s most popular laptop with a powerful new chip, enhanced AI capabilities, and doubled base storage.
The new MacBook Air is powered by Apple’s next-generation M5 chip, featuring a faster 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, alongside a Neural Accelerator built into each core.
According to Apple, the device delivers up to four times faster AI performance compared to the M4 model and as much as 9.5 times faster than the M1 version, positioning it as a strong contender for both creative professionals and enterprise users working with on-device AI models.
“The new MacBook Air with M5 brings incredible performance and even more capability to the world’s most popular laptop,”
said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering.
“It powers everything from everyday productivity to creative workloads, and is even faster for AI.”
Performance and Storage Take a Leap
The M5 chip introduces improved graphics performance with enhanced shader cores and a third-generation ray-tracing engine, significantly boosting gaming and 3D rendering capabilities. Apple says tasks such as video enhancement, 3D rendering, and image processing see substantial speed gains over previous generations.
In a notable upgrade, the base model now starts at 512GB of storage — double that of its predecessor — with options configurable up to 4TB. The new SSD also promises up to twice the read and write speeds, improving workflows for content creators and students alike.
Connectivity and Design Enhancements
The MacBook Air with M5 debuts Apple’s new N1 wireless chip, enabling support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for faster and more reliable connectivity. The laptop maintains its signature thin, fanless aluminum design and is available in 13-inch and 15-inch variants.
Other key features include a Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness, a 12MP Center Stage camera, Spatial Audio support, and up to 18 hours of battery life. The device also supports up to two external displays via Thunderbolt 4 ports.
Powered by macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence
Running on macOS Tahoe, the new MacBook Air integrates Apple Intelligence features, including Live Translation in Messages, smarter Reminders, and advanced Shortcuts powered by on-device AI. The update also introduces new personalization options and improved continuity features between Mac and iPhone.
Sustainability Push Continues
Apple emphasized its environmental commitments, noting that the new MacBook Air is built with 55% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in its enclosure and cobalt in its battery. The product is part of the company’s broader goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030.
Pricing and Availability
The MacBook Air with M5 will be available for pre-order starting March 4, with official availability from March 11. Pricing begins at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch version, with discounted pricing available for education customers.
