MacBook Air M5 Review: What's New and Is It Worth Upgrading?
Same design, double the storage and a big jump in AI performance. Is the MacBook Air M5 worth buying — or upgrading to from your current laptop?
By the Finance Arabia team4 min read
Apple announced the MacBook Air with M5 in March 2026, and at first glance it looks like a repeat of last year: same design, much the same colours, same weight. Behind the familiar shell, though, are changes that matter if you're buying a laptop to keep for years — above all, base storage has doubled and AI performance has jumped. Is it worth upgrading, and who is it really for?
Quick verdict
| Overall score | 9.0 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Best for | Students, professionals and business owners |
| Biggest strength | 512GB base storage and superb battery |
| Biggest drawback | 60Hz display and only two ports |
| Performance | 9.0 / 10 |
| Battery | 9.5 / 10 |
| Display | 8.0 / 10 |
| Value | 8.5 / 10 |
Key specs
| Spec | MacBook Air 13" M5 | MacBook Air 15" M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M5, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU (10-core option) | M5, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU |
| Unified memory | 16GB minimum | 16GB minimum |
| Base storage | 512GB | 512GB |
| Display | 13.6" Liquid Retina | 15.3" Liquid Retina |
| Camera | 12MP with Center Stage | 12MP with Center Stage |
| Wireless | N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 | N1 chip with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 |
| Ports | 2× Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jack | 2× Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, headphone jack |
| Battery | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| US price | From $1,099 | From $1,299 |
What's new compared with M4?
Storage: the biggest change for most buyers. The M4 model started at just 256GB, which fills up fast with system updates, photos and apps. Starting at 512GB means the base model is now enough for most people without paying for an expensive upgrade.
Price: the starting price went up by $100 (from $999 to $1,099). But since the storage upgrade on the previous generation cost $200, you're actually getting better value.
Performance: Apple says AI tasks run up to 4× faster than on M4, with around 50% higher frame rates in games. For everyday browsing, Office and video calls you'll barely notice — M4 was already fast — but the gap shows in photo and video editing and in AI-heavy apps.
Connectivity: Apple's new N1 chip adds Wi-Fi 7, which helps if you have a modern router.
What hasn't changed (and might bother you)
- A 60Hz display: Apple still keeps smooth 120Hz ProMotion screens for the MacBook Pro.
- Only two ports: you'll probably need a hub if you connect lots of accessories.
- Fanless cooling: great for silence, but performance dips slightly during long, heavy jobs such as extended 4K video exports.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 512GB base storage at last | Starting price up by $100 |
| Battery lasts a full working day and more | 60Hz display only |
| Completely silent, no fan | Just two ports |
| Strong AI performance | Little difference from M4 for light use |
| Light, and supported by macOS updates for years | Apple's memory and storage upgrades are expensive |
Should you upgrade?
| Your current laptop | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Intel MacBook | Yes, definitely — the jump in speed and battery life is huge |
| MacBook Air M1 | An excellent upgrade, especially with more memory and double the storage |
| MacBook Air M2 or M3 | Worth it if you're running out of storage or use AI tools a lot |
| MacBook Air M4 | No need — the difference doesn't justify the cost |
13-inch or 15-inch?
Pick the 13-inch if you travel a lot or carry your laptop every day — it's lighter and smaller. Pick the 15-inch if you work with big spreadsheets, edit photos or keep several windows side by side; as a bonus, every 15-inch model gets the stronger 10-core GPU and better speakers.
Who is it for?
It suits students, business owners, light content creators and office workers who want a silent laptop with long battery life that will last five years or more.
It doesn't suit professional video editors, game developers or anyone who needs a 120Hz screen and more ports — they're better served by a MacBook Pro.
FAQs
How much is the MacBook Air M5 in the UAE and Saudi Arabia?
Prices vary by store, configuration and offers, and usually start a little above the US price once VAT is added (5% in the UAE, 15% in Saudi Arabia). Compare the Apple Store with authorised resellers before you buy — and if you're visiting the UAE as a tourist, you may be able to reclaim the VAT at the airport.
Is 16GB of memory enough?
Yes, for most uses including programming and photo editing. Go for 24GB or 32GB only if you run AI models locally or work on big video projects.
Does it overheat without a fan?
It gets warm under sustained load but never uncomfortably hot; instead of spinning up a fan, it slows down slightly to protect itself.
The verdict
The MacBook Air M5 isn't a design revolution, but it fixes the line's biggest weakness: tiny base storage. With excellent battery life and standout AI performance, it remains the right laptop for most people who want a Mac that will serve them for years. If you have an M4, keep your money. If your laptop is older, this is a good time to upgrade.
Specs and prices as announced by Apple at launch in March 2026; local prices may differ.
Prices, fees and features change often. We check our facts at the time of writing, but always confirm the latest details with the provider. This article is for information only and is not financial advice.
