The MacBook Air M5 starts at $1,099, up $100 from the M4

Source: Engadget

Overview

Apple has introduced a refreshed MacBook Air powered by the new M5 chip, reversing last year’s price cut for the M4 model. The base price for the M5‑equipped MacBook Air starts at $1,099, $100 higher than the previous generation.

Performance

• Apple claims the M5 MacBook Air delivers four times faster AI performance compared to the M4 model.
• Relative to the M1 MacBook Air, performance is up to 9.5× faster.

Storage & Memory

• Storage: Starts at 512 GB SSD (double the previous 256 GB), with read/write speeds 2× faster than the prior generation. Configurable up to 4 TB.
• Memory: Base configuration includes 16 GB RAM with 153 GB/s bandwidth (28 % improvement over the M4). Options up to 32 GB.

Connectivity

• Equipped with Apple’s N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

Design & Features

• Display: Liquid Retina (13‑inch and 15‑inch models).
• Camera: 12 MP Center Stage camera.
• Audio: Spatial Audio‑enabled sound system.
• Ports: Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, supporting up to two external displays.
• Operating System: macOS Tahoe, with Apple Intelligence features.
• Battery Life: Up to 18 hours of usage on a single charge.

Pricing & Availability

• 13‑inch model: Starts at $1,099.
• 15‑inch model: Starts at $1,299.
• Colors: Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver.
• Pre‑orders: Begin March 4 at 9:15 AM ET.
• In‑store release: March 11 in 33 countries and regions.