M4 vs. M5 MacBook Air Buyer's Guide
Apple has replaced the M4 MacBook Air with a new M5 model that offers improved performance, double the base storage, and support for newer wireless standards, though at a $100 higher starting price. The M5 chip provides significant gains in AI, graphics, and memory bandwidth, particularly benefiting GPU-intensive and on-device AI tasks. For everyday use like browsing and office work, the performance difference is negligible. However, the M5's base configuration offers better long-term value and future-proofing, especially for users planning to keep the device for several years.
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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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