Apple Unveils New MacBook Air with M5
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA — Apple today introduced the latest MacBook Air powered by the new M5 chip, delivering outstanding performance and expanded AI capabilities to the company’s best-selling laptop. The M5 features a faster CPU and next-generation GPU, each equipped with a Neural Accelerator core, enabling the MacBook Air to handle a wide range of workflows — from creative projects to advanced AI workloads.
The MacBook Air now ships with 512GB of starting storage, twice that of the previous model, powered by faster SSD technology. Customers can configure storage up to 4TB, ensuring they have plenty of space for essential files and projects. Apple’s new N1 wireless chip also debuts, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for improved connectivity wherever users go.
The laptop maintains its thin, lightweight aluminum design and features a Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, up to 18 hours of battery life, and an immersive audio system with Spatial Audio. It also includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports capable of supporting up to two external displays. Combined with macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence, the MacBook Air delivers exceptional value for students, creative professionals, and business users alike.
The new MacBook Air with M5 will be available in 13-inch and 15-inch models and comes in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver. Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability starting Wednesday, March 11.
“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. “With M5, MacBook Air powers through a wide range of tasks, from everyday productivity to creative workloads, and is even faster for AI. Now featuring double the starting storage, as well as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, in a sleek and durable design with long battery life, MacBook Air is the perfect laptop for anyone who values the unrivaled combination of performance and portability.”
Incredible Performance with M5 — for AI and Beyond
The M5 chip delivers significant performance improvements across everyday productivity and demanding creative workflows. MacBook Air with M5 features a 10-core CPU built around what Apple describes as the world’s fastest CPU core for enhanced responsiveness.
Paired with an up to 10-core GPU, each core equipped with a Neural Accelerator, the M5 enables the MacBook Air to deliver up to four times faster AI performance than the MacBook Air with M4, and up to 9.5 times faster than the M1 model. This makes the device a powerful platform for AI tasks — from Apple Intelligence features within apps to running large language models directly on the device in enterprise environments.
Improved shader cores and a third-generation ray-tracing engine also accelerate graphics-intensive tasks such as gaming and 3D rendering. The M5 chip further includes faster unified memory with 153GB/s bandwidth, representing a 28% improvement over M4, enabling smoother multitasking and faster application launches.
Performance gains compared with previous MacBook Air generations include:
- Up to 6.9× faster AI video enhancement in Topaz Video compared with MacBook Air with M1, and up to 1.9× faster than M4.
- Up to 6.5× faster 3D rendering with ray tracing in Blender compared with M1, and up to 1.5× faster than M4.
- Up to 2.7× faster image processing in Affinity compared with M1, and up to 1.5× faster than M4.
Apple also says web browsing on the MacBook Air is up to 50% faster than on a PC laptop with an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor, while demanding tasks can see up to twice the performance.
Double the Starting Storage and Faster SSD
The MacBook Air with M5 now includes 512GB of standard storage, double that of the previous generation. For the first time, customers can configure the device with up to 4TB of storage, offering ample capacity for large projects, games, and media libraries.
Apple says the new SSD delivers twice the read and write speeds compared with the prior model. This improvement significantly accelerates file access and enhances workflows — particularly for creators importing large photo libraries or students running AI tasks locally.
Strong Value for Users Upgrading
Apple says the new MacBook Air offers compelling value for users upgrading from earlier Apple silicon models or Intel-based Macs. Alongside the M5’s performance, the laptop includes a wide range of premium features:
Liquid Retina Display
The 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina displays deliver 500 nits of brightness and support one billion colors, producing vivid visuals and sharp text.
All-Day Battery Life
MacBook Air provides up to 18 hours of battery life — up to six hours longer than Intel-based MacBook Air models — along with fast-charging capabilities.
Lightweight Design and Colors
The 13-inch model prioritizes portability, while the 15-inch version provides additional screen space for multitasking. Both feature a fanless design for silent operation and are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
Advanced Camera, Microphones, and Speakers
A 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View enhances video calls, while a three-microphone array improves voice clarity. The speaker system supports Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, creating an immersive audio experience.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
Apple’s N1 wireless networking chip introduces support for the latest wireless standards, improving both performance and reliability.
Expanded Connectivity
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports allow users to connect accessories and support up to two external displays. A MagSafe charging port offers dedicated power and added protection against accidental cable pulls.
The Power of macOS Tahoe
macOS Tahoe completes the MacBook Air experience with built-in apps like Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime, helping users stay productive and connected.
The operating system introduces a redesigned interface with Liquid Glass, allowing users to personalize their Mac with new folder colors, app icons, and widgets.
Apple Intelligence expands system capabilities while maintaining strong privacy protections. Features include Live Translation in Messages, improved Reminders that automatically categorize tasks, and enhanced Shortcuts actions that integrate with Apple Intelligence models — enabling automations such as extracting information from PDFs and inserting key details into spreadsheets.
Continuity features include the Phone app on Mac, which allows users to make and receive cellular calls from their nearby iPhone. Live Activities can also appear through iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to manage notifications directly from their Mac.
For video calls, a new Edge Light effect provides a subtle fill light that evenly illuminates a user’s face in various lighting conditions.
MacBook Air and the Environment
Apple says the MacBook Air with M5 was designed with sustainability in mind as the company works toward its goal of carbon neutrality across its entire footprint by 2030.
The device contains 55% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery. Production also uses 50% renewable electricity across Apple’s supply chain.
The MacBook Air is engineered for durability and repairability while meeting Apple’s standards for energy efficiency and safer materials. Its packaging is 100% fiber-based and fully recyclable.
Pricing and Availability
Customers can pre-order the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 starting at 6:15 a.m. PST on March 4 via apple.com/store and the Apple Store app in 33 countries and regions, including the United States. Devices will begin shipping and appear in Apple Stores and authorized resellers on March 11.
Pricing starts at:
- $1,099 for the 13-inch MacBook Air ($999 for education)
- $1,299 for the 15-inch MacBook Air ($1,199 for education)
Both models are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
Customers can find additional technical specifications, customization options, and accessories at apple.com/mac.
Through Apple Trade In, customers can exchange an eligible device for credit toward a new Mac. Apple also offers AppleCare+ or AppleCare One plans for extended service and support, including coverage for accidental damage, battery replacement, and 24/7 assistance from Apple experts.
Customers purchasing directly from Apple Retail can take advantage of Personal Setup, which provides guided online sessions with Apple specialists to help configure their device and explore its features. Additional learning sessions are available through Today at Apple at local Apple Store locations.
In the U.S., shoppers using Apple Card can pay monthly at 0% APR through Apple Card Monthly Installments and receive 3% Daily Cash back. More details, including eligibility requirements and terms, are available at apple.com/apple-card/monthly-installments.
