MacBook Air M5 Delivers Refined Excellence Despite New Competition
Apple's latest Air gets M5 power and faster storage, but the $600 MacBook Neo creates an interesting value equation
Apple's MacBook Air M5 proves that sometimes the best updates are the subtle ones. While the 2026 refresh doesn't reinvent the wheel, it sharpens what was already one of the best laptops you can buy — even as Apple's own MacBook Neo creates new competition from below.
What's New and What It Costs
The MacBook Air M5 brings three key improvements over its M4 predecessor: the new M5 chip for better performance, Wi-Fi 7 support for faster wireless speeds, and a welcome storage bump from 256GB to 512GB as the base configuration. That storage is also twice as fast as the previous generation.
The trade-off? The 13-inch model now starts at $1,199 (up from $1,099), while the 15-inch version begins at $1,299. Currently, you can find the 15-inch MacBook Air M5 for $1,250 at Amazon — a modest $50 discount that makes the price increase easier to swallow.
The Neo Factor Changes Everything
Here's where things get interesting: Apple's new MacBook Neo sits $600 below the base MacBook Air M5, creating a value conversation that didn't exist before. The Neo offers solid performance for basic tasks at $599, making the Air feel more premium by comparison.
But that positioning actually works in the Air's favor. Rather than being Apple's "budget" option, the MacBook Air M5 now occupies the sweet spot between the entry-level Neo and the powerhouse MacBook Pro lineup. It's the Goldilocks laptop — not too basic, not too pro, but just right for most users.
Performance That Delivers
The M5 chip provides the expected generational improvements, though don't expect dramatic differences from the already-excellent M4. Where you'll notice the upgrade is in sustained workloads and slightly better efficiency. The Verge's testing showed 13-14 hours of battery life with mixed usage — web browsing, messaging, and streaming — with brightness between 50-100%.
The faster 512GB base storage makes a real difference in daily use. Apps launch quicker, file transfers are snappier, and you won't immediately bump against storage limits like you might with the old 256GB base.
The Complete Package Remains Excellent
Everything that made previous MacBook Air models great carries forward. The 15-inch model's six-speaker system still impresses, the 12-megapixel Center Stage camera remains the best built-in webcam around, and the display offers excellent brightness and color accuracy for most work.
The keyboard feels solid, the trackpad is industry-leading, and the overall build quality maintains Apple's premium standards. Wi-Fi 7 support future-proofs your wireless connectivity, though you'll need a Wi-Fi 7 router to see the benefits.
Who Should Buy It
The MacBook Air M5 makes sense for users who need more capability than the MacBook Neo provides but don't require MacBook Pro power. Students, creative professionals doing lighter work, and business users will find it hits the performance sweet spot.
If you're coming from an Intel Mac or an M1 MacBook Air, the upgrade is worthwhile. M2 and M3 Air owners can probably wait, while M4 users should definitely skip this generation unless they desperately need Wi-Fi 7 or more base storage.
The $100 price increase stings, but the doubled base storage and improved performance help justify the cost. In Apple's current laptop lineup, the MacBook Air M5 successfully maintains its position as the "just right" choice for most buyers.
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