The MacBook Air M5 is noted as a small upgrade from the M4 model. It is designed for users upgrading from older machines, such as M1 or older Intel Macs, or those with 8GB memory Airs, as noticeable improvements are expected in these scenarios.
A key shift in the MacBook ecosystem is the introduction of the MacBook Neo at £599/$599. This places the Air M5 in a ‘middle-child’ role, sitting above the Neo in the lineup, moving away from the traditional role of being the younger sibling to the MacBook Pro.
In terms of aesthetics, the MacBook Air M5 retains the four color options: Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight. The review noted that the Midnight color is close to black, while the silver option is the most neutral.
The display of the Air M5 is considered noticeably better than the Neo, but still inferior to the Pro model. Improvements include being slightly bigger, offering an option in 15 inches, and supporting more colors within the P3 color gamut for enhanced visual performance when viewing photos and videos. It also supports True Tone, which alters the color temperature based on the environment, and maintains a brightness of 490 nits.
Performance upgrades are concentrated in the chip and connectivity. The M5 chip provides support for Bluetooth 6 and WiFi 7, offering superior upload and download speeds with compatible routers. Furthermore, the Air M5 now supports dual-monitor output, a capability missing until the M4 generation.
In terms of specifications, the default memory amount remains 16GB, with upgrade options available to 24GB or 32GB. Storage has seen a significant upgrade: the 256GB model is no longer available, with the 512GB option now serving as the base storage. New storage capacity additions include 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB SSD options. The memory bandwidth has also jumped from 153GB/s to 120GB/s.
Two versions of the Air M5 are available: a base model with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core neural engine, or an option with a 10-core GPU for an additional cost. The base option is recommended for most users, though the 10-core GPU version offers more graphical capability.
While the MacBook Neo is more affordable and suitable for users primarily browsing or writing, the Air M5 is suggested as the default choice for those seeking a complete machine with longevity. The Air M5 is described as a slim, light, silent machine that offers good performance, a top-tier keyboard, and a capable chipset.
Source: Trusted Reviews