Apple today unveiled a significantly updated MacBook Air powered by the new M5 chip, alongside comprehensive updates to the MacBook Pro line featuring the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. Pre-orders begin March 4, with devices shipping March 11, 2026, according to Apple.
The new MacBook Air receives a substantial performance boost with the M5 chip, incorporating a 10-core CPU and a GPU with up to 10 cores, each featuring a dedicated AI accelerator. Apple claims this results in AI performance up to four times faster than the previous M4 model and as much as 9.5 times faster than the M1-equipped MacBook Air. This enhanced capability positions the Air for more demanding tasks, including AI workflows previously reserved for Apple’s Pro-level machines.
Apple has doubled the base storage configuration for the MacBook Air to 512GB. The solid-state drive (SSD) also boasts significantly improved read and write speeds, up to twice as fast as the prior generation, with configurations scalable up to 4TB. Memory bandwidth has increased to 153 GB per second, a 28 percent improvement over the M4, enhancing multitasking and application launch times. Combined with macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence, many AI functions will operate directly on the device, prioritizing data privacy by minimizing cloud reliance.
The MacBook Air maintains its slim, lightweight aluminum design, available in 13-inch and 15-inch models featuring a Liquid Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness. It includes a 12-megapixel camera, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and support for up to two external displays. A new N1 chip supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, promising more stable and faster wireless connections. Battery life remains competitive, offering up to 18 hours of use – six hours longer than an Intel-based MacBook Air.
The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at €1199, while the 15-inch variant begins at €1499.
The MacBook Pro also benefits from new silicon: the M5 Pro and M5 Max. Both processors utilize a “fusion architecture,” combining two chips into a single unit to deliver increased performance for professional applications, large datasets, and AI tasks. The processors feature up to 18 cores, including six high-performance cores, and Apple states parallel task performance increases by up to 30 percent. Each core within the graphics processing unit also incorporates an AI accelerator. The M5 Pro supports up to 64GB of unified memory, while the M5 Max can be configured with up to 128GB.
The SSD in the new MacBook Pro is also up to twice as fast as previous generations. The standard M5 Pro model includes 1TB of storage, while the M5 Max configuration starts with 2TB. The Liquid Retina XDR display achieves peak brightness of up to 1600 nits. Connectivity options include three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI supporting up to 8K resolution, an SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3 charging, a 12-megapixel camera, and a six-speaker system with 3D audio.
Battery life for the MacBook Pro is rated for up to 24 hours. The 14-inch model with the M5 Pro starts at €2499, and the 16-inch model at €2999. Configurations with the M5 Max begin at €4199 for the 14-inch model and €4499 for the 16-inch version.
