MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 is the Mac we would point most buyers to in November 2026. Apple's spec page lists a 10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores, an 8-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, 16GB of unified memory and a 512GB SSD in the base model, which is double the starting storage of the previous generation. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display runs at 2560 by 1664 and 500 nits, and Apple rates the battery at up to 18 hours of video streaming. It has no fan, weighs 2.7 pounds and adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, a 12MP Center Stage camera and Touch ID. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports drive up to two external displays. The trade-offs: there is no HDMI port or SD slot, the display has no ProMotion, and Apple's US store now lists it from $1,299. We compared documented features and published prices only.

Who it is for

students and most everyday Mac buyers

Price

From $1,299 at Apple (10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB, 512GB).

Buy from $1299 or $108.25/mo.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Apple M5 chip with a 10-core CPU and 8-core GPU with Neural Accelerators
• 16GB unified memory and a 512GB SSD in the base model, configurable to 32GB and 4TB
• 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 2560 by 1664, 500 nits
• Up to 18 hours of video streaming from a 53.8 watt-hour battery
• Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, MagSafe 3 and support for two external displays

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Fanless design, so it runs silent under any load
• Strength: Weighs 2.7 pounds
• Strength: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 through Apple's N1 wireless chip
• Weakness: Display tops out at 500 nits with no ProMotion 120Hz refresh
• Weakness: Only two Thunderbolt ports, no HDMI or SD card slot
• Weakness: The US price rose to $1,299 from the $1,099 launch price Apple announced in March 2026

Key facts

• Price checked: $1,299
• Chip: M5, 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU
• Memory and storage: 16GB, 512GB
• Battery: Up to 18 hours video streaming
• Weight: 2.7 pounds

Where it ranks

MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) is No. 1 in our Best MacBooks verdict.