Quick verdict: The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5, announced March 3, 2026, is a familiar laptop with better insides. It adds Apple's M5 chip, 512GB of storage as standard, and Wi-Fi 7. The Guardian called it the standard for a thin, light and powerful consumer laptop. Its weak spots are a 60Hz display and just two USB-C ports.
This is a researched review based on Apple's specifications, the Amazon listing and published reviews, not our own testing. The version reviewed here is the Amazon listing for the 16GB, 512GB model in Midnight. On the evening of November 10, 2026, it ranked No. 2 on Amazon's Best Sellers list in Computers & Accessories.
What's new
The M5 chip is the main upgrade. Apple says it has a 10-core CPU and a GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, and claims AI tasks run up to 4x faster than on the M4 MacBook Air. Those are Apple's numbers. The Guardian measured a more everyday 10 to 20 percent speed gain over the M4 model and said the Air now beats the 2021 M1 Pro MacBook Pro across its tests.
Storage doubled. The base model now starts at 512GB, up from 256GB, and Apple says the new SSD reads and writes up to twice as fast. All models come with at least 16GB of unified memory.
Apple's own N1 wireless chip adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The rest is familiar: a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, a 12MP Center Stage camera, Touch ID, MagSafe charging, a headphone jack and two Thunderbolt 4 ports. It supports up to two external displays.
Battery life
Apple rates the Air for up to 18 hours. In The Guardian's testing it routinely lasted more than 17 hours of office work, and about 10 hours of heavier tasks such as video editing. The Guardian also lists silent, cool running among its strengths. With a 70W or larger adapter, its review unit charged fully in just over 100 minutes and reached 50 percent in 26 minutes. The Guardian also reports that the Air is made with 55 percent recycled materials.
The trade-offs
The 13-inch model's starting price rose by $100, to $1,099. 9to5Mac notes that the increase comes with double the storage. The screen still refreshes at 60Hz, while Apple keeps smoother 120Hz displays for the MacBook Pro. There is no SD card slot or USB-A port, and memory and storage can't be upgraded after purchase.
The biggest question is Apple's cheaper MacBook Neo. The Guardian said the Neo is excellent value for light computing, but that the Air is the better all-round computer.
Who should buy it
Buy it if you want a Mac laptop for school, office work and photo editing with very long battery life. If you mostly browse and stream, compare it with the MacBook Neo first. If you need more ports or a faster screen, The Guardian notes that some rivals offer them, and Apple's 120Hz displays are on the MacBook Pro.
FAQ
When did the M5 MacBook Air come out?
Apple announced it on March 3, 2026. Preorders opened March 4, and it went on sale March 11.
How much storage and memory does it have?
It starts at 512GB of storage and 16GB of unified memory. The model reviewed here has 16GB and 512GB.
How long does the battery last?
Apple says up to 18 hours. The Guardian got more than 17 hours of office work in testing.
How many external displays does it support?
Up to two, according to Apple.
Should I buy the MacBook Air or MacBook Neo?
The Neo costs less and suits light use. The Guardian says the Air is the better all-round computer.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom: Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M5 (Mar. 3, 2026): M5 specs, AI claims, storage, N1 chip, ports, battery rating, dates.
- The Guardian: MacBook Air M5 review (Apr. 15, 2026): performance and battery testing, 60Hz screen, ports, MacBook Neo comparison.
- 9to5Mac: Apple announces M5 MacBook Air (Mar. 3, 2026): $1,099 starting price, storage and memory changes.
- Amazon listing for MacBook Air 13-inch M5, ASIN B0GR1JTFP8, checked Nov. 10, 2026: exact configuration, ports, display, camera.
- Amazon Best Sellers in Computers & Accessories, checked Nov. 10, 2026, 8:37 PM ET, re-checked 8:57 PM ET: ranked No. 2.
