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M5 MacBook Air review: Still the best MacBook for almost everybody

March 14, 2026
•Ars technica
M5 MacBook Air review: Still the best MacBook for almost everybody

Here’s something that caught my attention — despite all the hype around the new MacBook Pros, the MacBook Air with the M5 chip is still the real standout for most people. Andrew Cunningham from Technology points out that Apple released a bunch of new models, including a powerful MacBook Pro and a budget-friendly Neo. But the thing is — Apple didn’t shy away from singing the praises of the Air, which starts at just $599. And get this — Cunningham notes that even with modest specs, the M5 MacBook Air offers high quality and solid performance, making it a smart buy for almost everyone. Apple's clearly betting on the idea that most users don’t need the extra muscle of the Pro, but they still want Apple’s sleek design and reliable performance. So what does this actually mean? For busy professionals, the MacBook Air remains the best balance of price, power, and portability — no need to overthink it.

The M5 Pro and M5 Max in the new MacBook Pros are interesting not because they deliver a solid speed increase for Apple's fastest laptop processors but because they also include substantial under-the-hood changes. And the MacBook Neo is interesting because, while the hardware has limits, it's quite a capable and high-quality computer for its $599 starting price.

And then there's the M5 MacBook Air, which was also released this week.

Apple sent us a 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro, the MacBook Neo, and a 15-inch MacBook Air to test, and the MacBook Air was the only one without a standard review embargo. As if to say, "we know the other stuff is more interesting—if you want to cover the Air, get to it when you can."

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The M5 Pro and M5 Max in the new MacBook Pros are interesting not because they deliver a solid speed increase for Apple's fastest laptop processors but because they also include substantial under-the-hood changes. And the MacBook Neo is interesting because, while the hardware has limits, it's quite a capable and high-quality computer for its $599 starting price.

And then there's the M5 MacBook Air, which was also released this week.

Apple sent us a 16-inch M5 Max MacBook Pro, the MacBook Neo, and a 15-inch MacBook Air to test, and the MacBook Air was the only one without a standard review embargo. As if to say, "we know the other stuff is more interesting—if you want to cover the Air, get to it when you can."

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