M4 vs. M5 MacBook Air Buyer's Guide
Apple has introduced the M5 MacBook Air, which features significant upgrades over the previous M4 model. The new M5 chip offers enhanced performance, including faster CPU and GPU capabilities, as well as improved storage options. While the M5 is a strong choice for users with demanding workloads, the M4 remains sufficient for everyday tasks.
- ▪The M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model.
- ▪The M5 chip provides up to 15% faster CPU performance and up to 30% faster graphics performance compared to the M4.
- ▪The M5 model includes a dedicated Neural Accelerator in every GPU core, enhancing AI-driven applications.
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M4 vs. M5 MacBook Air Buyer's GuideTuesday April 28, 2026 10:07 AM PDT by Hartley CharltonApple last month announced a new MacBook Air, introducing the M5 chip, faster wireless connectivity, double the base storage, and a more capable charger, while simultaneously discontinuing the M4 model. So how does the new machine compare? The M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch, a $100 increase over the equivalent M4 models. In exchange, base storage doubles from 256GB to 512GB, and Apple says the new SSD delivers twice the read and write speeds of the previous generation. Education pricing is also available directly from Apple and typically shaves at least $100 off the price. The main upgrade between the two models is the chip.
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