Apple made it official — the MacBook Air is getting its most meaningful upgrade in years. Powered by the new M5 chip, the refreshed MacBook Air goes up for preorder on March 4, with units hitting shelves on March 11. The update brings a stronger processor, significantly more base storage, and a starting price that undercuts its predecessor by a full $100.
For anyone who has been sitting on the fence about upgrading, this release gives them every reason to pull the trigger finally.
Pricing That Makes the M5 MacBook Air Hard to Ignore
Apple is offering the M5 MacBook Air in two sizes. The 13-inch model starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch version opens at $1,299. Students and educators get an additional break, bringing those prices down to $999 and $1,199, respectively.
Compare that to the M4 generation — which launched at $1,199 and $1,399 for similar storage configurations — and the value shift becomes immediately clear. Apple is not just refreshing the hardware; it is repositioning the MacBook Air as the most competitive laptop in its class.
M5 Chip and Storage Get a Major Upgrade
The M5 chip inside the new features a 10-core CPU paired with up to a 10-core GPU. That combination delivers a noticeable performance jump for everyday tasks, creative work, and multitasking — all without a fan.
Storage is where the upgrade hits hardest. The base model now ships with 512GB, doubling the 256GB entry point that defined the M4 lineup. Apple has discontinued the 256GB option entirely. Users who need more room can configure the MacBook Air with up to 4TB of SSD storage, up from the previous 2TB ceiling.
Full Specs at a Glance
The M5 MacBook Air ships with the following specifications
- Sizes— 13-inch and 15-inch
- Processor— M5 chip with 10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- Display— Liquid Retina, 60Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness
- Memory— 16GB to 32GB RAM
- Storage— 512GB to 4TB SSD
- Connectivity— WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6
- Battery— Up to 18 hours
- Webcam— 12MP Center Stage camera
- Ports— Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack
- Colors— Sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver
What Else Apple Is Launching
The M5 MacBook Air is not the only product Apple is pushing into preorder on March 4. The iPhone 17e, M4 iPad Air, Studio Displays, and upgraded MacBook Pros are all joining the lineup simultaneously. There are also reports circulating about a new budget MacBook expected to land between $599 and $799 — a move that could bring Apple’s laptop ecosystem to an entirely new segment of buyers.
The M5 MacBook Air Bottom Line
Apple has a habit of making its best laptop better without dramatically changing what makes it work. The M5 Air follows that playbook — and then some. More storage at the base level, a faster chip, improved connectivity with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6, and a lower starting price all combine to make this the most compelling Apple has ever released.
Whether you are a first-time buyer or a long-overdue upgrader, the timing has never been better to get into Apple’s most popular laptop.
