MacBook Air M5 Review: The Best Laptop for Most People
Apple's MacBook Air M5 is silent, fast and lasts more than 18 hours on a charge, making it the easiest laptop recommendation we can give.
We spent 3 weeks testing the MacBook Air M5 as part of our daily routine to see how it holds up beyond the spec sheet. Here is everything you need to know before you buy.
Price and Availability
The MacBook Air M5 is available now from Apple and major retailers starting at $1,099. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales, as we regularly see discounts during major shopping events.
Key Specifications
| Spec | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|
| Display | 13.6" Liquid Retina, 500 nits |
| Chip | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Memory | 16GB unified |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
| Battery life | Up to 18 hours |
| Weight | 1.24 kg |
Design and Build Quality
The MacBook Air M5 is impeccably built, with minimal flex in the chassis or around the keyboard. It slips easily into a backpack and feels sturdy enough to survive daily commutes.
Display, Keyboard and Speakers
The screen is crisp and color-accurate, making it great for photo editing and streaming. Typing is comfortable for long sessions, and the trackpad is large and precise. Speakers are clear with more bass than we expected.
Performance and Battery Life
In our benchmarks, the MacBook Air M5 handled multitasking, 4K video exports and light gaming with ease. Battery life in our web-browsing test was excellent, easily getting through a full workday away from the charger.
Pros and Cons
What we like
- Exceptional battery life
- Fanless, completely silent design
- Great speakers and webcam
What we don't like
- Only supports two external displays with lid closed
- Base storage upgrades are expensive
Verdict: Should You Buy the MacBook Air M5?
The MacBook Air M5 is the laptop we would buy for students, writers and anyone who values portability.
Our score: 9.4/10 – Editor’s Choice