Apple significantly refreshed its laptop lineup today, unveiling new MacBook Pros powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and a redesigned MacBook Air now featuring the M5 chip. But the biggest surprise for many may be the doubling of base storage in the new MacBook Air, jumping from 256GB to 512GB. This update to the popular laptop comes alongside a price increase, marking a shift in Apple’s strategy for its entry-level machines.
The new MacBook Air with M5 starts at $1,099 for the 13-inch model and $1,299 for the 15-inch model, a $100 increase from the previous generation, according to Apple’s press release. While the price point is higher, Apple argues the increased storage and performance justify the cost, as a 512GB M4 MacBook Air previously retailed for $1,199.
Boosting Performance and Efficiency with the M5 Chip
The core of the update is the new M5 chip, designed to deliver exceptional performance and expanded AI capabilities. Apple states the M5 features a faster CPU and a next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core. This translates to improved performance across a range of tasks, from creative projects to increasingly complex artificial intelligence applications. The chip is available in two configurations for the Air: one with 8 GPU cores and another with 10 GPU cores, with the latter costing an additional $100.
According to Apple, the M5 chip also boasts enhanced shader cores and a third-generation ray-tracing engine. Faster unified memory, with 153GB/s of bandwidth – a 28% improvement over the M4 – further enhances performance. The M5 includes four high-performance cores dubbed “super cores” and six efficiency cores, balancing power and battery life.
Faster Storage and Connectivity
Beyond the chip upgrade, the doubling of base storage to 512GB is a significant improvement for users. Apple also highlighted that the new MacBook Air’s solid-state drive (SSD) technology offers up to twice the read and write performance compared to the previous generation. So faster application loading times and quicker file transfers.
Connectivity also receives a boost with the inclusion of Apple’s N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. This promises seamless connectivity on the go, offering faster wireless speeds and more reliable connections. The MacBook Air continues to feature two Thunderbolt 4 ports, supporting up to two external displays.
Part of a Broader Apple Update
The MacBook Air refresh is part of a larger wave of product announcements from Apple this week. The company also unveiled updated MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, a new iPhone 17e, an updated iPad Air with an M4 chip, and updated Studio Displays. These announcements culminated in a “special experience” event on Wednesday morning, as reported by Ars Technica.
The new MacBook Airs are available for pre-order starting Wednesday, March 4, with availability beginning on Wednesday, March 11. They come in the familiar color options of sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
The price adjustment for the MacBook Air also leaves room in Apple’s product lineup for a potentially cheaper MacBook, which has been the subject of speculation. The company may announce this more affordable model in the coming days.
Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, stated, “The new MacBook Air with M5 brings incredible performance and even more capability to the world’s most popular laptop,” according to the official press release.
As Apple continues to push the boundaries of laptop technology, the M5-powered MacBook Air represents a compelling option for students, creative professionals, and business users alike. The combination of increased storage, improved performance, and enhanced connectivity makes it a significant upgrade for those looking for a portable and powerful computing experience.
The next step for Apple is the launch of the new MacBook Airs on March 11. Customers can pre-order starting tomorrow, March 4, and further reviews and real-world performance tests will emerge in the coming weeks.
What are your thoughts on the new MacBook Air? Share your comments below and let us know what you think of the price increase and the new features.
