Short answer: the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 (March 2026) is still the best ultraportable laptop for most people, according to published reviews. It weighs 2.7 lb, is rated for up to 18 hours of video streaming, and now starts with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage at $1,099. The trade-offs are the same as before: it has no fan, so it slows down under long heavy loads; the display isn’t as bright as newer rivals; and there’s no HDMI or SD slot.
How we put this together: this page summarises Apple’s official specs and published reviews (linked below). It is not based on hands-on testing by iTech Level. See how we choose products.
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) specs
| Chip | Apple M5: 10-core CPU (4 super cores, 6 efficiency cores), 8-core or 10-core GPU |
| Memory | 16GB unified memory; 24GB or 32GB options |
| Storage | 512GB SSD, up to 4TB |
| Display | 13.6″ Liquid Retina, 2560 × 1664, 500 nits, 1 billion colours |
| Battery | 53.8Wh; up to 18 hours video streaming, 15 hours wireless web |
| Ports | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| External displays | Up to two (for example 6K at 60Hz or 4K at 144Hz) |
| Wireless and camera | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, 12MP Center Stage camera |
| Size and weight | 0.44 in thick, 2.7 lb |
| Colours | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight |
| Price | From $1,099 ($999 education) |
Source: Apple’s MacBook Air (13-inch, M5) tech specs. Pricing from Apple’s March 2026 launch.
What reviews say
Reviews are consistently positive. TechRadar calls it “still the best ultraportable I’ve ever used”, and Tom’s Hardware sums it up as “steady as it goes”. RTINGS highlights the build quality, touchpad, webcam and battery life, and Expert Reviews calls it a great laptop, while noting you have choices.
- Praised: fast M5 performance for everyday and creative work, battery life that lasts a full workday and more, the thin fanless design, and the move to 512GB of storage, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 as standard.
- Criticised: it throttles under sustained heavy loads because there’s no fan, the 500-nit display is starting to trail brighter OLED and mini-LED rivals, there are no new colours, and the starting price went up.
Check the MacBook Air 13 (M5) on Amazon →
MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs M4: should you upgrade?
The M5 model keeps the same design as the 2025 M4 Air. The upgrades are the faster M5 chip, a faster SSD, 512GB of base storage instead of 256GB, and Wi-Fi 7 with Bluetooth 6. If you already have an M4 (or even an M2 or M3) Air, there’s little reason to upgrade. If you’re buying new, a discounted M4 Air is still a very good laptop, but check the storage: the base M4 model has only 256GB.
13-inch or 15-inch MacBook Air?
The 15-inch model has a bigger 15.3-inch screen, a 10-core GPU in every configuration and six speakers, and weighs 3.3 lb. It starts at $1,299. Choose the 13-inch if you carry it every day. Choose the 15-inch if it mostly sits on a desk and you want more screen without paying for a MacBook Pro. We cover the MacBook Air 15 (M4) in our shop.
MacBook Air or MacBook Pro?
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 starts at $1,699 with 1TB of storage. It adds a fan (so it sustains performance), a brighter XDR display with 120Hz ProMotion, HDMI and an SD card slot. For students, office work, browsing and light photo or video editing, the Air is enough. For regular video editing, see our best MacBook for video editing guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MacBook Air 13 (M5) worth buying?
Yes, for most people. Reviewers rate it among the best ultraportable laptops thanks to its M5 performance, all-day battery life and 2.7 lb design, and it now starts with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. Its main limits are the fanless design under sustained heavy loads and the lack of HDMI and an SD slot.
How long does the MacBook Air 13 (M5) battery last?
Apple rates it at up to 18 hours of video streaming and 15 hours of wireless web browsing from its 53.8Wh battery. Reviews report comfortably more than a full workday of light use.
What’s the difference between the M5 and M4 MacBook Air?
The design is the same. The M5 model has a faster chip and SSD, doubles base storage to 512GB, and adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. It starts at $1,099, $100 more than the M4 model’s launch price.
Can the MacBook Air 13 run two external monitors?
Yes. The M5 MacBook Air supports up to two external displays at the same time, for example at 6K 60Hz or 4K 144Hz, according to Apple’s specs.
Is the MacBook Air good for gaming?
It handles many Mac games and Apple Arcade titles well, and the M5 GPU is faster than earlier models, but the fanless design throttles in long sessions and many PC games aren’t available on macOS. If gaming matters, look at a Windows gaming laptop instead.
