Key Highlights
- Apple introduces the MacBook Air featuring the M5 chip, with pricing beginning at $1,099 for the 13-inch variant
- AI performance jumps to 4x faster than M4 and up to 9.5x faster compared to M1 with the new M5 chip
- Base storage capacity increases to 512GB from 256GB, featuring SSD speeds twice as fast as the prior generation
- MacBook Pro variants equipped with M5 Pro begin at $2,199
- Pre-order period starts March 4, devices ship starting March 11
Apple has unveiled its latest MacBook Air powered by the M5 chip, with the 13-inch version priced at $1,099 and the 15-inch model at $1,299.
The M5 Pro-powered MacBook Pro carries a starting price of $2,199.
Apple has introduced the new MacBook Pro
– 14” and 16” sizes
– M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
– Now starts at 1TB (M5 Pro) and 2TB storage (M5 Max)
– 2x faster SSD
– Apple N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6
– Nano-texture option
– Thunderbolt 5
– Starts at $2,199 (14” model) and… pic.twitter.com/BKHeDmseUm— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) March 3, 2026
This latest Air model ships with 512GB of storage right out of the box — twice the capacity included with the M4 version — and customers can now configure it with up to 4TB for the first time ever.
Storage performance has also been enhanced, with the SSD delivering read/write speeds that are 2x faster than the previous iteration.
Apple just dropped the new MacBook Pro with M5 Pro & M5 Max 🔥 Built for serious AI + pro workflows
Here’s what’s new:
• Up to 18-core CPU (world’s fastest CPU core)
• Next-gen GPU with Neural Accelerator in every core
• Up to 4x faster AI vs previous gen
• Up to 8x faster… pic.twitter.com/BYHMyjfN9V— Ben Geskin (@BenGeskin) March 3, 2026
Inside, the M5 chip packs a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, with each GPU core featuring an integrated Neural Accelerator.
According to Apple, the chip provides AI task performance that’s up to 4x faster when compared to the M4, and reaches up to 9.5x faster speeds than the M1.
The tech giant also states that web browsing performance is up to 50% quicker than PC laptops equipped with an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor.
For those working with creative applications, Apple highlights up to 6.9x faster AI video enhancement using Topaz Video compared to M1, alongside up to 6.5x faster 3D rendering performance in Blender.
Technical Specifications
The memory bandwidth reaches 153GB/s — representing a 28% increase over M4 — which Apple indicates results in improved multitasking capabilities and quicker app loading times.
This new Air also incorporates Apple’s N1 wireless chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support to the MacBook Air lineup for the first time.
The laptop features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, with capabilities to drive up to two external displays.
Battery performance remains at up to 18 hours, consistent with previous models.
The fanless aluminum construction continues, with color options in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver available for both the 13-inch and 15-inch configurations.
Operating System Features
These laptops come pre-loaded with macOS Tahoe, incorporating Apple Intelligence capabilities including Live Translation within Messages and enhanced Reminders functionality.
Additional Shortcuts actions enable direct access to Apple Intelligence models, facilitating automated workflows such as extracting information from PDFs into spreadsheets.
A newly introduced Edge Light effect for video conferencing has been implemented, aimed at enhancing facial lighting during calls in dim environments.
Apple notes that the M5 MacBook Air contains 55% recycled materials, including 100% recycled aluminum for the chassis, contributing to the company’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality across all operations by 2030.
Pre-ordering begins on March 4, with the updated MacBook Air becoming available in stores starting March 11.
