Short version: the 15-inch MacBook Air now runs Apple’s M5 chip (launched March 2026). It looks and lasts the same as the M4 model we reviewed, but it starts with twice the storage, gets Wi-Fi 7 and is much faster at AI tasks. Buy the M5 if you’re buying new today. Keep (or grab a discounted) M4 if you already have one, because the day-to-day difference is small.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, so The Funny Beaver may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.
The 15-inch Air is the laptop for people who want a big screen without a heavy bag or a fan that sounds like a hair dryer. That’s still true. The M5 update is mostly about what’s inside. Here’s the breakdown, based on Apple’s specs and early reviews (we didn’t test it hands-on).
MacBook Air 15-inch M5 vs M4: what changed
| Spec | MacBook Air 15″ M4 (2025) | MacBook Air 15″ M5 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | M5, 10-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core |
| AI performance | Baseline | Up to 4x faster for AI tasks (Apple’s claim) |
| Starting storage | 256GB | 512GB |
| Maximum storage | 2TB | 4TB |
| SSD speed | Baseline | Up to 2x faster read/write (Apple’s claim) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple N1 chip: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Display | 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2880 x 1864, 500 nits | Same |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Memory | 16GB standard, up to 32GB | 16GB standard, up to 32GB |
| Weight | 3.3 lb (1.51 kg) | 3.3 lb (1.51 kg) |
Specs from Apple’s M5 MacBook Air announcement, Apple’s MacBook Air tech specs, Engadget’s M5 vs M4 breakdown. Checked October 2026.
What matters in real use
- 512GB to start is the quiet hero. 256GB filled up fast with photos, apps and video projects. Doubling the base storage saves you from paying for an upgrade.
- AI speed matters if you use AI tools. On-device features, photo and video tools and local AI apps benefit most. Email and spreadsheets will feel the same.
- Same body, same battery. Design, screen, ports (two Thunderbolt, MagSafe, headphone jack) and all-day battery carry over, so there’s no reason to replace a working M4.
- Wi-Fi 7 is future-proofing. You’ll only notice it on a Wi-Fi 7 router.
Design and display
Apple’s thin, fanless design is why we liked this laptop in the first place, and it hasn’t changed: it’s silent, solid and still light for a 15-inch machine. The bigger screen gives you room for two windows side by side, which is the real reason to pick the 15-inch over the 13-inch. It comes in sky blue, midnight, starlight and silver.
Who should buy which
- Buy the M5 if you’re buying new, plan to keep it five years, or want to use AI apps on the laptop itself.
- Save with an M4 if you see a clearance or open-box deal. Apple stopped selling the M4 Air when the M5 launched, so new stock is limited. Anything 16GB/256GB or better is still an excellent laptop.
- Have an M1? This is a solid upgrade year. See our older MacBook Air M1 review for how far things have come.
Gift it to: a college student, a remote worker who lives on video calls, or a creative who’s tired of a fan screaming during exports. It’s a big gift. The kind that gets you out of dishes for a month.
Check Price on Amazon