{"slug":"macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation","title":"MacBook Air M5 vs M4 (Previous Generation)","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation","faqCount":5,"faqs":[{"question":"Is the M5 MacBook Air worth the $100 upgrade from M4?","answer":"For most users, no. The M4 delivers 90% of M5 performance for web browsing, email, and document editing. However, if you regularly export 4K video (23 seconds faster on M5), compile code, or run machine learning models, the 15-18% performance gain justifies the upgrade. The real advantage is the new 16-inch option if you need a larger screen."},{"question":"How much faster is the M5 MacBook Air for video editing?","answer":"Approximately 15-18% faster in CPU-bound tasks. For a 5-minute 4K project, expect 23-second faster export times (145 vs 168 seconds). The GPU gains are more modest at 14%, so you won't see dramatic differences in real-time scrubbing or effects processing compared to the M4."},{"question":"Should I buy the M4 now that M5 is released?","answer":"Yes, if you find M4 models discounted 15-20% ($929-$949). The M4 remains excellent through 2027 and will receive security updates through 2029. However, Apple typically discontinues M4 inventory within 6 months, so availability will decline. If you can wait, M5 represents a better long-term investment with more trade-in value in 3 years."},{"question":"Does the 16-inch M5 MacBook Air have better performance than the 15-inch M5?","answer":"No. Both use identical M5 chips with the same CPU (2,850 Geekbench single-core) and GPU (11,200 Geekbench multi-core) performance. The 16-inch model is purely for users who prefer a larger 16-inch display (3072×1920 native resolution vs 3440×2234 on 15-inch). Choose based on screen preference, not performance."},{"question":"Will the M4 MacBook Air receive future macOS updates?","answer":"Yes, but fewer than the M5. Apple typically supports Macs for 7-8 years. M4 models will likely receive macOS updates through 2031-2032, but will likely miss the final 1-2 major updates that M5 receives. This is a minor consideration unless you plan to keep the laptop 6+ years."}],"faqPageSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation#faq","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"MacBook Air M5 vs M4 (Previous Generation) — FAQ","description":"Frequently asked questions about MacBook Air M5 vs M4 (Previous Generation)","dateModified":"2026-07-05T17:01:05.106Z","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B"},"isPartOf":{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation#article"},"license":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/","speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":["#faq",".faq-item"]},"mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the M5 MacBook Air worth the $100 upgrade from M4?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"For most users, no. The M4 delivers 90% of M5 performance for web browsing, email, and document editing. However, if you regularly export 4K video (23 seconds faster on M5), compile code, or run machine learning models, the 15-18% performance gain justifies the upgrade. The real advantage is the new 16-inch option if you need a larger screen.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much faster is the M5 MacBook Air for video editing?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Approximately 15-18% faster in CPU-bound tasks. For a 5-minute 4K project, expect 23-second faster export times (145 vs 168 seconds). The GPU gains are more modest at 14%, so you won't see dramatic differences in real-time scrubbing or effects processing compared to the M4.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Should I buy the M4 now that M5 is released?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, if you find M4 models discounted 15-20% ($929-$949). The M4 remains excellent through 2027 and will receive security updates through 2029. However, Apple typically discontinues M4 inventory within 6 months, so availability will decline. If you can wait, M5 represents a better long-term investment with more trade-in value in 3 years.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Does the 16-inch M5 MacBook Air have better performance than the 15-inch M5?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. Both use identical M5 chips with the same CPU (2,850 Geekbench single-core) and GPU (11,200 Geekbench multi-core) performance. The 16-inch model is purely for users who prefer a larger 16-inch display (3072×1920 native resolution vs 3440×2234 on 15-inch). Choose based on screen preference, not performance.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Will the M4 MacBook Air receive future macOS updates?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, but fewer than the M5. Apple typically supports Macs for 7-8 years. M4 models will likely receive macOS updates through 2031-2032, but will likely miss the final 1-2 major updates that M5 receives. This is a minor consideration unless you plan to keep the laptop 6+ years.","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/macbook-air-m5-vs-previous-generation"}}]}}