Apple has unveiled the MacBook Air M5, upgrading its best-selling laptop with a newer chip aimed at faster everyday performance and smoother on-device AI workflows. The refresh also tackles a long-running pain point for buyers by doubling the base storage to 512GB, while adding Wi-Fi 7 MacBook Air connectivity and Bluetooth 6 for people who live in coffee shops, campus networks, and airport lounges.
The new MacBook Air comes in 13-inch MacBook Air and 15-inch MacBook Air sizes, keeps the familiar thin, fanless aluminium build, and arrives in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver. Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability starting March 11.
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In This Article
What’s new in the MacBook Air M5
This update is not about reinventing the Air. It is about making the popular bits feel quicker and more future-ready, especially as AI features become part of everyday apps.
Key upgrades include:
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M5 performance and graphics with a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, plus a Neural Accelerator built into each core for AI-heavy tasks
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MacBook Air 512GB starting storage as standard, with configurations up to 4TB
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Wi-Fi 7 MacBook Air support and Bluetooth 6 via Apple’s N1 wireless chip
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Support for up to two external displays, plus two Thunderbolt 4 ports
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A 12MP Centre Stage camera with Desk View for video calls and remote learning
Performance and on-device AI get the spotlight
Apple is positioning M5 as a noticeable step up for everything from multi-tab browsing to creative work like editing photos, rendering 3D scenes, or enhancing video. The headline is AI. With a neural-focused design, the MacBook Air M5 is pitched as a better fit for workloads that run locally, including Apple Intelligence features and on-device LLM tasks in some professional settings.
Gaming and 3D creators also get attention here, with mentions of upgraded graphics capabilities, including ray-tracing support, which can help with lighting and realism in supported titles and workflows.
Storage finally starts where many people wanted it
The MacBook Air 512GB base storage change is arguably the most buyer-friendly headline. It means fewer users have to pay extra on day one just to avoid constant storage juggling. Apple also claims faster SSD performance, which matters for anyone moving large files, launching heavier apps, or importing big photo and video libraries.
macOS Tahoe features and Apple Intelligence additions
The new MacBook Air ships with macOS Tahoe features that focus on personalisation and continuity across devices, including a refreshed design language and deeper system intelligence. Apple Intelligence highlights include Live Translation in Messages, smarter organisation in Reminders, and more powerful Shortcuts actions designed to automate multi-step tasks. Add continuity tools like iPhone Mirroring and call handoff, and the Air remains a strong “one laptop, many roles” device for students, creators, and business users.
Battery life, display, and the stuff you notice every day
Apple says battery life remains up to 18 hours, with fast charging support. The Liquid Retina display continues at 13.6 inches or 15.3 inches with up to 500 nits brightness and 1 billion colours. The audio setup leans into Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support, while the three-mic array is aimed at clearer voice pickup during calls.
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Pricing and availability
The new models go on pre-order on March 4 and start shipping on March 11.
India pricing shared by the company:
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13-inch model starts at Rs 1,19,900 (education pricing Rs 1,08,900)
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15-inch model starts at Rs 1,44,900 (education pricing Rs 1,33,900)
In the US, prices start at $1,099 for the 13-inch and $1,299 for the 15-inch, with the base storage now set at 512GB.
The MacBook Air M5 upgrade feels like the kind of refresh buyers actually notice, not because it looks different, but because it fixes the everyday annoyances. Starting at 512GB and adding Wi-Fi 7 is the practical kind of “new” that ages well, especially when your laptop is expected to juggle work, entertainment, and AI tricks without breaking a sweat.
