After the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro, Apple added the powerful M5 chip to the MacBook Air. Just like the previous generation, the M5 chip is designed using a 3nm manufacturing process and this is reflected in the chip’s performance.
The update for the MacBook Air with M5 chip is limited, only improving the specifications. For example, the design of the MacBook Air has not changed and is still available in two different sizes. You can choose from a 13.6-inch display or a MacBook Air with a 15.3-inch screen.
MacBook Air 2026
The design of the MacBook Air with M5 chip is similar to the previous generation. This way, the laptop retains its slim design and aluminum casing. Furthermore, the screen contains a notch for the 12MP camera with center stage.
The MacBook Air is available in Midnight, Starlight, Silver and Sky Blue. You can also choose from a 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch display with or without nanotexture.
Although the appearance remains largely unchanged, the new MacBook Air mainly offers internal improvements, including the powerful M5 processor.
Extra powerful thanks to M5 chip
The M5 was first added to the iPad Pro and the entry-level MacBook Pro in the fall of 2025. The powerful GPU of the M5 line represents a major step forward for Apple Silicon graphics architecture.
GPU performance has been significantly improved because each GPU core is equipped with Neural Accelerators, allowing MacBook Air to perform better than ever when processing AI models on the device.
The M5 chip is made with a 3nm manufacturing process. This is a modern way of producing chips. A 3nm process means that the transistor gate is only 3 nanometers wide, and in this article we explain why that is special.
The size of the transistor gate is important because it determines how many transistors fit on one chip. The smaller the transistor gate, the more transistors can be on the chip. This makes the chips faster, more efficient and stronger than chips made with larger processes. This means they perform better with the same specifications. Previous Apple chips used a 5nm process.
M5 processor specifications
Thanks to the M5 chip, the MacBook Air has great computing power and can complete tasks in no time. Below are the specifications of the processor:
- 9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores
- up to 10-core GPU
- Neural Accelerators
- Up to 32 GB memory (standard 16 GB)
- 16-core Neural Engine
- 153 GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media engine: H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration
- Ray tracing with hardware acceleration
- 1 (ProRes) encoding and decoding engine
- choice of up to 2 TB of storage
- Support up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz
N1 network chip
The MacBook Air is now equipped with the latest N1 chip, an advanced networking chip from Apple for wireless connectivity. This chip, which made its debut in the iPhone 17 series, replaces the previous Broadcom chips. It offers support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread network technology. Thanks to the integrated controller, efficiency and energy savings are improved, especially for functions such as AirDrop and smart devices. Bluetooth 6 ensures less interference and lower power consumption, while WiFi 7 delivers faster and more stable connections, even in busy environments.
Other adjustments
- Delivered in the EU without USB-C power adapter
- Standard 512 GB SSD storage
Availability of MacBook Air with M5 chip
The new MacBook Air with M5 chip will be available for purchase from March 4 at 3:15 PM from March 11 delivered. The latest generation MacBook Air with standard 512 GB storage has a starting price of €1199 (was €1099 for 256GB and €1329 for 512GB) for the 13-inch model and €1499 (was $1399 for 256GB and $1569 for 512GB) for the 15-inch Mac.
The MacBook Air will soon also be available at other web shops such as Coolblue, MediaMarkt, Amazon, Bol.com and Yorcom.
Are you going to sell your old MacBook? Nowadays you can also do this via our sales page.