TLDR
- Apple launched a new MacBook Air with the M5 chip, starting at $1,099 for the 13-inch model
- The M5 chip delivers up to 4x faster AI performance than the M4, and up to 9.5x faster than M1
- Starting storage doubles to 512GB, with SSD read/write speeds 2x faster than the previous generation
- MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro chip start at $2,199
- Pre-orders open March 4, with availability from March 11
Apple has launched the new MacBook Air with the M5 chip, kicking off at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch.
The MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $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
The new Air comes with 512GB of storage as standard — double what shipped with the M4 model — and can now be configured up to 4TB for the first time.
The SSD is also faster, delivering 2x the read/write speeds compared to the previous generation.
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
The M5 chip features a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, with a Neural Accelerator built into each GPU core.
Apple says it delivers up to 4x faster AI task performance compared to the M4, and up to 9.5x faster than M1.
The company also claims web browsing is up to 50% faster than a PC laptop running an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor.
For creative workloads, Apple cites up to 6.9x faster AI video enhancement in Topaz Video versus M1, and up to 6.5x faster 3D rendering in Blender.
Under the Hood
Memory bandwidth comes in at 153GB/s — a 28% jump over M4 — which Apple says means smoother multitasking and faster app launches.
The new Air also includes Apple’s N1 wireless chip, enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for the first time on the MacBook Air.
Two Thunderbolt 4 ports are included, with support for up to two external displays.
Battery life is rated at up to 18 hours, unchanged from prior models.
The design remains fanless and aluminum, available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver across both 13- and 15-inch sizes.
Software Side
The laptops ship with macOS Tahoe, which includes Apple Intelligence features such as Live Translation in Messages and updated Reminders.
New Shortcuts actions can tap into Apple Intelligence models directly, allowing automations like pulling data from a PDF into a spreadsheet.
A new Edge Light effect for video calls has also been added, designed to improve face illumination in low-light conditions.
Apple says the MacBook Air with M5 is made with 55% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum in the enclosure, as part of its goal to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030.
Pre-orders open March 4, with the new MacBook Air hitting shelves on March 11.
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