Mac
MacBook Air (M5)
Apple's most popular laptop with the M5 chip, from $1,299 after a June 2026 price rise.
A newer model, the next MacBook Air, is expected early 2027. Apple has also raised its price by $200 since launch.
At a glance
Our take
The M5 MacBook Air is eight months old. Its price rose $200 in June 2026, and the next update is expected around spring 2027.
Apple's refurbished store had this exact 13-inch model at $1,099 when we checked, $200 less than new with the same warranty.
Research-based: we haven't tested this model ourselves. It's built from Apple's specs, published tests and owner reports.
Pros & cons
What's good
- M5 chip with 16GB and 512GB as standard
- 18 h video battery claim
- Two sizes, fanless and silent
What's not
- Price went up $200 to $1,299
- Next update expected around spring 2027
Almost everyone who wants a Mac laptop
You want the lowest price: the same model is $1,099 refurbished at Apple
Prices
| Model (Apple, US) | Price |
|---|---|
| 13-inch, 8-core GPU | $1,299 |
| 13-inch, 10-core GPU | $1,399 |
| 15-inch | $1,499 |
Prices checked Nov 12, 2026. They can change at any time. How we get prices.
Ways to pay less
Key specs
How it compares
| This pageMacBook Air (M5) | iMac (M6) | Mac mini (M6) | MacBook Neo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $1,299 | $1,499 | $899 | $699 |
| Verdict | Okay to buy | Buy now | Buy now | Okay to buy |
| Chip | M5 | M6 | M6 or M5 Pro | A18 Pro |
| Display | 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina | 24-inch 4.5K Retina | — | 13-inch Liquid Retina |
| Battery | Up to 18 h video | — | — | Up to 16 h video |
| Memory | 16GB (up to 32GB) | 16GB | 16GB (M6) | 8GB |
| Storage | 512GB (up to 4TB) | 256GB | 256GB (M6) | — |
More comparisons
What's next?
Next MacBook Air
Expected early 2027 · medium confidence
A chip update to the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air is expected in early 2027. An OLED version is reported to be years away.
Every claim, with sources →How we worked out "Okay to buy"
Latest news
Software
iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS Golden Gate and watchOS 27 released with Siri AI beta
Apple's major OS updates arrived with a rebuilt, more conversational Siri AI (English beta), new Photos editing tools, Safari tab grouping and stronger parental controls. Apple says some Siri AI features have daily limits and may later cost extra. macOS Golden Gate drops all Intel Macs, and watchOS 27 needs Series 9 or newer.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
ServicesApple Upgrade leasing replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program in the USApple Upgrade, run with Klarna, leases iPhone from $17.99/month plus Apple Watch, Mac and iPad, with options to upgrade, buy out or return at the end. Leases need a soft credit check, and early termination can be costly. Some models, such as iPhone 16 and MacBook Neo, were not eligible at launch.
Services
Apple Upgrade leasing replaces the iPhone Upgrade Program in the US
Apple Upgrade, run with Klarna, leases iPhone from $17.99/month plus Apple Watch, Mac and iPad, with options to upgrade, buy out or return at the end. Leases need a soft credit check, and early termination can be costly. Some models, such as iPhone 16 and MacBook Neo, were not eligible at launch.
Products
Source: Apple Newsroom
PricesApple raises Mac, iPad, Vision Pro and Apple TV prices, citing memory costsApple raised prices on many Macs, iPads, Apple TV, HomePod and Vision Pro, blaming AI-driven memory and storage costs; for example, Apple TV 4K went from $129 to $199 and Vision Pro from $3,499 to $3,699. iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods were spared. Launch prices quoted in older reviews no longer apply.
Prices
Apple raises Mac, iPad, Vision Pro and Apple TV prices, citing memory costs
Apple raised prices on many Macs, iPads, Apple TV, HomePod and Vision Pro, blaming AI-driven memory and storage costs; for example, Apple TV 4K went from $129 to $199 and Vision Pro from $3,499 to $3,699. iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods were spared. Launch prices quoted in older reviews no longer apply.
Products
Source: TidBITS
Questions people ask
Should I buy the MacBook Air (M5) now?
Okay to buy. A newer model, the next MacBook Air, is expected early 2027. Apple has also raised its price by $200 since launch.
How much does the MacBook Air (M5) cost?
Apple sells it from $1,299 in the US (13-inch, 8-core GPU: $1,299, 13-inch, 10-core GPU: $1,399, 15-inch: $1,499). It launched at $1,099, so Apple has raised the price since.
When will the MacBook Air (M5) be replaced?
The next MacBook Air is expected early 2027, according to reports we rate medium confidence. Apple hasn't announced it.
Who is the MacBook Air (M5) best for?
Almost everyone who wants a Mac laptop. Skip it if you want the lowest price: the same model is $1,099 refurbished at Apple.
Can I get the MacBook Air (M5) cheaper?
Apple Certified Refurbished had it from $1,099 when we checked on Nov 12, 2026, with the same one-year warranty as new.
Sources
- Apple tech specs (checked Nov 12, 2026)
- Apple Newsroom announcement (checked Nov 12, 2026)
Page updated Nov 12, 2026 · Spotted an error? Tell us.