The most powerful MacBook Air ever is just a few weeks away. Apple is widely expected to put the finishing touches on the new model with the fast M5 processor. A faster chip will be enough for shoppers to question whether they really need the MacBook Pro they have their eyes on.
Consider the benefits of the MacBook Air and why now is a terrible time to buy any macOS laptop.
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MacBook Air: The right choice for most people
Picture a middle manager in your mind. Ask them what kind of computer they use and they say, “Professional like me needs capabilities of the MacBook Pro. There’s no way a MacBook Air can handle that.” He then spends the rest of the day reading emails, making Zoom calls, and editing spreadsheets.
Don’t be that guy. There’s nothing in their typical tasks that requires one of Apple’s high-end processors. For the average executive whose work is mostly email, websites, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF files and Zoom/Teams calls, the MacBook Air is the best choice.
Some people are waiting for a MacBook Pro so they can get an Apple M4 Max or M4 Pro processor even though they don’t need one. These chips are for editing large amounts of video, doing 3D design and rendering, pro-level music production, and similar tasks. If it’s not you… It doesn’t matter how full your clipboard is – a faster processor won’t help you clean it up.
But stick with the M5 MacBook Air
Even if your job doesn’t require top performance, you don’t want to buy a brand new MacBook with an M4 chip. Not when there’s a faster option right around the corner.
Apple’s M5 chip was launched in the fall, and multiple reports point to it arriving in MacBook Airs in the near future. Even without those rumors, it’s a safe assumption, given that the M3 version arrived in March 2024 and the M4 Air in March 2025. The next one is expected in (you guessed it) March.
Expect the M5 to deliver a 15% to 20% overall performance improvement over the M4. And graphics and AI-related tasks will get more support.
While not a life-changing improvement, the speed boost makes the M5 worth waiting a few weeks for… if you’re not in a rush.
Just don’t get your hopes up for more changes – it’ll likely be a chip-and-ship update. Apple is expected to keep the same slim MacBook Air fanless chassis with a fresh chip inside. There are no rumors of new display sizes, touchscreen support or major shape changes.
Lower price plus longer battery life
The M5 MacBook Air will likely hit store shelves around the same time the MacBook Pro gets the new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. While the temptation to max out your Mac is understandable, think twice—the basic M5 is the best choice for most people.
The obvious advantage is the cost. The MacBook Air starts at $999, while the MacBook Pro starts at $1,599 — a 60% increase. The M5 Pro version is likely to cost at least $1,999. Don’t pay double for performance you’ll never use.
And even if your company picks up the tab, Apple’s high-end processors reduce battery life. The Pro and Max variants of the chip contain more performance cores and significantly more GPU cores, which consume more power even when idle. And it runs hotter, requiring fan cooling – another drain on the battery.
On the other hand…
Although Apple likes to call the MacBook Air “the world’s most popular laptop,” the MacBook Pro is also selling very well—for good reasons.
MacBook Pro provides more screen with its 16-inch variant, surpassing the 15-inch Air’s maximum, offering a significantly larger canvas for multitasking and high-precision creative projects. Higher-priced models also offer ProMotion technology for a 120Hz refresh rate, which offers a level of visual fluidity and peak brightness that the Air can’t match.
In addition, the Pro offers a wider selection of physical connectivity options, including an HDMI port and an SDXC card slot, reducing the need for external adapters.
For some people, these extra features justify paying a hefty premium for a MacBook Pro. Before you go for a more expensive model, make sure it’s you.
Save on an M4 MacBook Pro now
While paying full price for an M4 MacBook Air with the launch of the M5 just weeks away is a mistake, buying one at a deep discount might make sense for you. Especially considering that the M5 MacBook Air will have the same general design.
The M5 version will absolutely be faster, but the $150 savings may still be a better choice for you.
So portable, so powerful
M4 MacBook Air (13-inch, 2025)
Powered by the Apple M4 chip, this 13-inch laptop delivers outstanding performance and extreme efficiency in the same gorgeous design as last year’s model. It includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe connector for fast charging with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. It comes in four colors, including an interesting new sky blue.
- Excellent Apple design
- 18-hour battery life
- Apple Intelligence support
Elegant and fast
M4 MacBook Air (15-inch, 2025)
5.0
MacBook Air with the M4 chip lets you work and play to the fullest. With Apple Intelligence, up to 18 hours of battery life and an incredibly portable design, you can take anything, anywhere.
- Thin and light
- A beautiful 15-inch high-resolution display
- Powerful M4 processor
Ed Hardy He has been writing about the technique full-time for 25 years and has been using it for much longer. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but he now uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. It is written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthandas well as other sites.