Apple
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M6)
Creator, Everyday · 14.2" · Apple M6 12-core GPU
8.5
$1,999Nov 9
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)
A fanless 13-inch Mac with M5 speed and long battery life, but memory you must size correctly at checkout.
- Everyday, Student, Compact
- 13.6"
- Apple M5 8-core GPU (10-core GPU on higher configurations)
- Apple M5 (10-core CPU: 4 super, 6 efficiency)
- 1.23 kg
PCPR score
8.3
Great
Best price we’ve seen
$1,149Nov 9
Checked recently. Confirm at the retailer.
R1
The short version
The 13-inch MacBook Air pairs Apple's M5 chip with 16GB of unified memory, a 512GB SSD and a 500-nit IPS display in a fanless 1.23 kg chassis. Independent testing recorded roughly 15 hours of mixed use and quick everyday speed, but sustained workloads throttle without a fan. Memory and storage are soldered, so buyers have to size them at purchase. It suits students, writers and frequent travellers better than long renders or serious gaming.
Pros
- Apple rates up to 18 hours of video streaming and Tom's Hardware measured about 15 and a half hours in its mixed battery test
- Starts with 16GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD
- Fanless 1.23 kg aluminum chassis makes no noise under load
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple's N1 chip, plus MagSafe 3 charging
- Drives up to two external displays at up to 6K 60 Hz
Cons
- Fanless design throttles under sustained load: Tom's Hardware saw Cinebench 2026 scores slide from 3,415 into the low 2,300s
- RAM and SSD are soldered, so capacity has to be chosen at purchase
- Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, with no HDMI or SD slot
- The base model ships with an 8-core GPU; the 10-core GPU needs a higher configuration
Best for
- Students and writers who prioritize battery life
- Frequent travellers who want a light, silent laptop
- Everyday productivity on macOS
SYS1
Configurations
| Configuration | Processor | Graphics | Memory | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 8-core GPU · 16GB · 512GB | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) | Apple M5 8-core GPU | 16 GB | 512 GB | $1,299 |
| M5 10-core GPU · 16GB · 1TB | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) | Apple M5 10-core GPU | 16 GB | 1 TB | $1,449 |
| M5 10-core GPU · 24GB · 1TB | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) | Apple M5 10-core GPU | 24 GB | 1 TB | $1,649 |
J5
What you can upgrade later
Memory
UnconfirmedThe maker doesn’t publish its slot layout. Check before buying more memory.
Browse memoryProcessor
UnconfirmedA drop-in upgrade depends on the socket and the maker’s BIOS. Check the board before buying a CPU.
Browse processorJ3
Full specifications
Core
- Built for
- Everyday, Student, Compact
- Processor
- Apple M5 (10-core CPU: 4 super, 6 efficiency)
- Graphics
- Apple M5 8-core GPU (10-core GPU on higher configurations)
Display
- Screen size
- 13.6"
- Resolution
- 2560 x 1664
- Panel
- IPS
- Brightness
- 500 nits
Memory
- Memory
- 16 GB
- Memory type
- Unified memory
- Storage
- 512 GB
Fit
- Memory upgradable
- No
Power
- Battery
- 53.8 Wh
Physical
- Weight
- 1.23 kg
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 7
Ports & I/O
- Thunderbolt / USB4
- Yes
- Ports
- 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C, 40 Gb/s), MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Software
- Operating system
- macOS
Compatibility notes
- Fast charging needs a USB-C PD source of 70 W or more; the Thunderbolt ports support charging as well as MagSafe 3
- Supports two external displays up to 6K 60 Hz over Thunderbolt/USB-C
P1
Where to buy
Official store
Seen Nov 9, 2026
$1,299
Buy from the makerBest Buy
Seen Nov 9, 2026
$1,149
See it at Best Buy- Check price on Amazon
Amazon
Search this retailer
- See it at Newegg
Newegg
Search this retailer
- See it at B&H
B&H Photo
Search this retailer
- See it at Micro Center
Micro Center
Search this retailer
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. Prices move quickly, so confirm the final price at the retailer.
AV1
Video reviews
Overview · Review
M5 MacBook Air Review for Software Engineers & Developers
Simon Lee
A developer uses the 15-inch M5 MacBook Air as a daily machine and weighs whether engineers still need a MacBook Pro.
Positive · Review
MacBook Air M5: The Must Buy Laptop of 2026
Just Josh
Review of the MacBook Air M5 in 13 and 15-inch versions, calling it a must-buy laptop of 2026.
AV2
What reviewers and owners say
Tom's Hardware · Andrew E. Freedman
PositiveCalled the M5 Air the best Mac for most buyers thanks to its speed, keyboard and over 15 hours of battery, while recording clear thermal throttling in sustained tests and a pricier entry point.
Review
Read the sourceTechRadar · Lance Ulanoff
PositivePraised the mix of design, near-pro performance and battery, with about fifteen and a half hours of web use, and only minor complaints about no new colours and a higher price.
Review
Read the source
Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.
R9
Common questions
Can the memory or SSD be upgraded later?
No. Tom's Hardware confirms the RAM and storage are soldered down, so capacity has to be chosen when you buy.
How many external monitors does the M5 MacBook Air support?
Apple lists support for up to two external displays at up to 6K 60 Hz or 4K 144 Hz, or one display at up to 8K 60 Hz or 5K 120 Hz.
What is real-world battery life?
Apple rates up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of wireless web. Tom's Hardware measured about 15 and a half hours in its mixed test at 150 nits, and TechRadar reported similar web browsing results.
J9Alternatives
Similar laptops
Razer
Razer Blade 16 (2026)
Gaming, Creator · 16" · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU (RTX 5080 also offered)
8.3
$2,400Nov 9
Lenovo
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x Gen 11 (14-inch Snapdragon)
Everyday, Compact · 14" · Qualcomm Adreno (integrated)
8.2
$1,000Nov 91 video
MSI
MSI Stealth 16 AI+ (2026, B3W)
Gaming, Creator · 16" · NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU (RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 also offered)
8.2
$2,700Nov 9