Apple has officially introduced a new version of the MacBook Air, bringing updated hardware and several improvements to its popular laptop lineup. The new model is powered by Apple’s latest M5 chip and comes with faster performance, more storage by default, and more.

The release is part of a wider product launch, which includes tech such as the iPad Air M4, improved MacBook Pros with M5 Pro & M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, and more. That said, here’s everything you need to know about the MacBook Air M5, including its release date, specifications, and price.

MacBook Air M5 release date

The new MacBook Air is available to pre-order today, March 4, through Apple’s official website and the Apple Store app. Apple also confirmed that the laptop will begin shipping and appear in retail stores starting March 11. The launch includes both the 13-inch and 15-inch models. Both versions will be available in four color options: sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.

MacBook Air M5 specs & features

The biggest upgrade in the new MacBook Air is the M5 chip. Apple says the processor brings noticeable improvements in performance for everyday work, creative tasks, and AI workloads. The chip includes a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, along with a Neural Accelerator built into each core to help speed up AI tasks.

One major change is storage. The MacBook Air now starts with 512GB of storage, which is double the base capacity offered in previous models. Users who need more space can configure the laptop with up to 4TB of storage. Apple also says the new SSD is faster than before, which helps when opening large files or moving data.

As far as the design is concerned, the new MacBook Air keeps the same thin and lightweight aluminum design. The 13-inch version is built for portability, while the 15-inch model provides more screen space for users who want a larger display. Both models feature a Liquid Retina display. The screens support up to 500 nits of brightness and can display one billion colors.

Apple also included a 12MP Center Stage camera for video calls. The camera automatically keeps users centered in the frame during meetings. The laptop also includes a three-microphone array and speakers that support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. Battery life appears to be the same as before, as Apple claims that the laptop can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, depending on usage.

MacBook Air M5 price

The 13-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip starts at $1,099 in the United States. Apple also offers an education price starting at $999 for eligible students and educators. The larger 15-inch model starts at $1,299, while the education price begins at $1,199. Both models come with the new 512GB base storage, but can be configured with higher storage options at an extra cost. 

• MacBook Air M5 (13-inch) – From $1,099 USD / £1,099 GBP / $1,499 CAD
• MacBook Air M5 (15-inch) – From $1,299 USD / £1,299 GBP / $1,799 CAD

How much faster is the MacBook Air M5?

Compared to older models, Apple claims the new chip can deliver much faster results in several workflows. For example, AI video enhancement can run significantly faster than on older MacBook Air models with the M1 chip. Apple’s in-house benchmarks reveal 9.5x faster LLM prompt processing performance than the MacBook Air powered by M1. This value drops to 4x when compared to the M4 MacBook Air and 3.8x when compared to the “PC laptop with Intel Core Ultra X7”. Users can expect similar performance gains for tasks like 3D rendering, image processing, and other demanding workloads.

About the Author

Abdul Haddi

Abdul is a tech writer and Editor for PC Guide, specializing in all things tech, gaming, and hardware.