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The New MacBook Air M5: Still the Goldilocks Laptop, But With a Familiar Price Tag
CUPERTINO, CA – Apple’s latest refresh of the popular MacBook Air, featuring the new M5 Apple Silicon processor, is here, and it’s delivering exactly what users have come to expect: a predictable, yet undeniably excellent, experience. While it retains the beloved design and features of its predecessors, the M5 model brings a surprising boost in battery life and performance, though it also comes with a slightly higher price point.
For years, the MacBook Air has held its ground as a top contender for the “best laptop for most people” title, and the M5 iteration continues this legacy. Available in both 13-inch and 15-inch models, it offers the display versatility that many users crave, particularly when compared to its new, more budget-friendly sibling, the 13-inch MacBook Neo. The Air also provides greater customization options for those who demand more from their hardware.
Design and Display: A Winning Combination
Regardless of size, both MacBook Air models boast a sharp display with exceptional color accuracy. Our testing, which included everything from movie trailers to animated music videos, showcased vibrant hues and lifelike skin tones. The four-speaker array also impressed, delivering rich audio that enhanced everything from moody indie tracks to upbeat summer jams.
Encased in a sleek aluminum chassis, the MacBook Air feels as premium as it looks. The keyboard remains a joy to type on, contributing to an overall user experience that is both comfortable and efficient. Even the 12MP Center Stage webcam received high praise, with colleagues noting the clear and professional image quality during video calls.
Performance: More Than Enough for the Everyday User
Under the hood, the M5 MacBook Air packs a serious punch. It effortlessly handled a demanding workload, including juggling 50 tabs in Brave, 10 in Chrome, and simultaneous use of Slack, Discord, Messages, Calendar, and Notes. The laptop remained snappy and responsive throughout, demonstrating its capability for even the most tab-heavy users.
While owners of the M4 MacBook Air may only see a modest 15% leap in benchmark scores, those upgrading from an M3 model will experience a significant improvement. The M5 scored 35% higher on the Geekbench 6 single-core test and an impressive 42% higher on the multicore test, indicating a substantial boost for more intensive applications like video editing.
Gaming also saw a notable improvement, with Shadow of the Tomb Raider running smoothly at 43 frames per second – a considerable jump from the M4 Air’s 36 fps and a stark contrast to the unplayably sluggish 13 fps on the MacBook Neo.
Battery Life: A Welcome Surprise
One of the most pleasant surprises of the M5 MacBook Air is its enhanced battery life. Our 4K looping video test saw the laptop last a remarkable 16 hours and 38 minutes on a single charge.
This is a 14% improvement over the M4 model, despite Apple’s conservative estimates. This extended endurance will be a boon for travelers and users who frequently work away from power outlets.
The Price Tag: A Familiar, But Noticeable, Bump
However, not everything about the M5 MacBook Air is an upgrade. This year’s model sees a return to the $1,099 starting price, a $100 increase from last year’s M4.
While the base storage has doubled to 512GB, the reasoning behind the price adjustment is somewhat unclear, especially considering the M4’s price cut while also doubling its memory. This price point also makes the more affordable $599 MacBook Neo an even more attractive option for those on a tighter budget.
Beyond the performance and battery life, there’s little “newness” to be found. The M5 Air maintains the same size, weight, colors (Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight), and port configuration (MagSafe charging and dual USB-C) as its predecessor. While Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 offer improved connectivity, these perks are unlikely to be deal-breakers for most users considering an upgrade.
The Bottom Line: Still the Right Fit for Many
In essence, the MacBook Air with M5 is a testament to Apple’s confidence in its established formula. It delivers a consistently excellent experience with a sharp display, comfortable design, and robust performance that will satisfy the vast majority of users. While the $100 price increase and lack of significant external changes might give some pause, the M5’s improved battery life and processing power solidify its position as a top-tier laptop.
For those seeking exceptional value, the MacBook Neo presents a compelling alternative. For users who demand the ultimate in power and port options, the MacBook Pro with M5 remains the go-to choice. But for everyone in between, the MacBook Air with M5 continues to be the “Goldilocks” pick – just right.