MacBook Air M4 vs M5 2026 - Performance & Price
The MacBook Air M5 offers 15-20% better CPU performance and improved GPU capabilities compared to the M4, with faster memory bandwidth and thermal efficiency, though the M4 remains powerful for most everyday tasks and costs significantly less.
MacBook Air (M4)
Apple's ultra-thin laptop with custom silicon, optimized for productivity and creative work.
Students, freelancers, content consumers, and professionals on a budget who need reliable daily computing without premium performance demands.
MacBook Air M5
Ultraportable 13.6-inch laptop with 8-core M5 chip for everyday computing and creative work.
Video editors, 3D designers, software developers, data scientists, and creative professionals who benefit from maximum performance and future-proof specifications.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe MacBook Air M5 offers 15-20% better CPU performance and improved GPU capabilities compared to the M4, with faster memory bandwidth and thermal efficiency, though the M4 remains powerful for most everyday tasks and costs significantly less.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the MacBook Air M4 if you prioritize value and primarily use web browsing, document editing, and light creative work — it remains excellent for everyday tasks at a significantly lower price point. Choose the MacBook Air M5 if you need maximum performance for video editing, 3D rendering, machine learning, or demanding professional software where the 15-20% speed increase justifies the $400+ premium.
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Choose MacBook Air (M4) if
Students, freelancers, content consumers, and professionals on a budget who need reliable daily computing without premium performance demands.
Choose MacBook Air M5 if
Best pickVideo editors, 3D designers, software developers, data scientists, and creative professionals who benefit from maximum performance and future-proof specifications.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- CPU Performance (Geekbench 6):✓ MacBook Air M5 wins(3,150 points vs 2,650 points)
- GPU Performance (Metal Score):✓ MacBook Air M5 wins(18,500 points vs 15,200 points)
- Memory Bandwidth:✓ MacBook Air M5 wins(140 GB/s vs 120 GB/s)
Key Facts & Figures
35 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | MacBook Air (M4) | MacBook Air M5 | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPU Cores(cores) | Up to 10 cores | — | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core(points) | 3,300 points | — | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core(points) | 13,200 points | — | — |
| Battery Life (Real-world)(hours) | 18-20 hours | — | — |
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,099 | — | — |
| Video Export Time (4K 30fps, 5-min clip)(seconds) | 120 seconds | — | — |
| Operating Temperature Under Load(°C) | 65°C | — | — |
| CPU Cores(cores) | 10-core | — | — |
| GPU Cores (Standard)(cores) | 10-core | — | — |
| Battery Life (Typical)(hours) | 19 hours avg | — | — |
| Battery Life(hours) | 18-20 hours | — | — |
| Weight(lbs) | 2.7-3.0 lbs | 2.7 lbs | |
| Processor Performance (Geekbench 6 Multi-Core)(score) | 10,000-12,000 (M4) | — | — |
| RAM Starting Configuration(GB) | 8 GB | — | — |
| Storage Starting Configuration(GB) | 256 GB SSD | — | — |
| Software Support Lifespan(years) | 7-10 years | — | — |
| GPU Gaming Performance (3DMark Wildlife)(score) | 2,500-3,200 (M4 GPU) | — | — |
| Starting Weight (15" model)(lbs) | 3.3 lbs | 3.3 lbs | |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $1,199 | $1,199 | |
| Maximum GPU Cores(cores) | 10-core (M5) | 10-core (M5) | |
| Maximum RAM(GB) | 32GB | 32GB | |
| Base Price(USD) | $1,599 | $1,599 | |
| CPU Cores (Standard Configuration)(cores) | 8 cores | 8 cores | |
| GPU Cores (Max Configuration)(cores) | 10 cores (integrated) | 10 cores (integrated) | |
| Battery Life (Official Rating)(hours) | 18 hours | 18 hours | |
| Weight (Base Model)(lbs) | 2.7 lbs (13-inch) | 2.7 lbs (13-inch) | |
| Maximum Unified Memory(GB) | 24GB | 24GB | |
| Thunderbolt Ports (Standard)(ports) | 2 ports | 2 ports | |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Score (Estimated)(points) | 14,800 (M5) | 14,800 (M5) | |
| CPU Cores (Performance)(cores) | 8 cores | 8 cores | |
| GPU Cores (Base Config)(cores) | 10 cores | 10 cores | |
| Base Memory(GB) | 8 GB unified memory | 8 GB unified memory | |
| Base Storage(GB) | 256 GB SSD | 256 GB SSD | |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 60 Hz | 60 Hz | |
| Thunderbolt Ports(ports) | 2 ports (13.6-inch) | 2 ports (13.6-inch) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 2,650 pointsCPU Performance (Geekbench 6)3,150 points(winner)
- 15,200 pointsGPU Performance (Metal Score)18,500 points(winner)
- 120 GB/sMemory Bandwidth140 GB/s(winner)
- $1,199 USD(winner)Starting Price (13-inch)$1,599 USD
- 15-18 hoursBattery Life (Mixed Use)16-19 hours(winner)
- 25W baseThermal Efficiency (TDP)22W base(winner)
- March 2024Release DateNovember 2025
- CPU Performance (Geekbench 6)
MacBook Air (M4)
2,650 points
MacBook Air M5
3,150 points(winner)
- GPU Performance (Metal Score)
MacBook Air (M4)
15,200 points
MacBook Air M5
18,500 points(winner)
- Memory Bandwidth
MacBook Air (M4)
120 GB/s
MacBook Air M5
140 GB/s(winner)
- Starting Price (13-inch)
MacBook Air (M4)
$1,199 USD(winner)
MacBook Air M5
$1,599 USD
- Battery Life (Mixed Use)
MacBook Air (M4)
15-18 hours
MacBook Air M5
16-19 hours(winner)
- Thermal Efficiency (TDP)
MacBook Air (M4)
25W base
MacBook Air M5
22W base(winner)
- Release Date
MacBook Air (M4)
March 2024
MacBook Air M5
November 2025
Full Comparison
| Attribute | MacBook Air (M4) | MacBook Air M5 |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Cores(cores) | Up to 10 cores | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single-Core(points) | 3,300 points | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core(points) | 13,200 points | — |
| Video Export Time (4K 30fps, 5-min clip)(seconds) | 120 seconds | — |
| GPU Cores (Standard)(cores) | 10-core | — |
Show 8 more attributesBattery Life(hours) 18-20 hours — Processor Performance (Geekbench 6 Multi-Core)(score) 10,000-12,000 (M4) — Maximum GPU Cores(cores) 10-core (M5) — Maximum RAM(GB) 32GB — Processor Options(null) M5 only — Sustained Performance Under Load Throttles performance under sustained heavy loads — CPU Cores (Standard Configuration)(cores) 8 cores — Geekbench 6 Multi-Core Score (Estimated)(points) 14,800 (M5) — | ||
| Battery Life (Real-world)(hours) | 18-20 hours | — |
| Battery Life (Typical)(hours) | 19 hours avg | — |
| Battery Life (Official Rating)(hours) | 18 hours | — |
| Starting Price(USD) | $1,099 | — |
| Operating Temperature Under Load(°C) | 65°C | — |
| Cooling System(fans) | Passive (fanless) design | — |
| CPU Cores(cores) | 10-core | — |
| Weight(lbs) | 2.7-3.0 lbs | 2.7 lbs(winner) |
| RAM Starting Configuration(GB) | 8 GB | — |
| Storage Starting Configuration(GB) | 256 GB SSD | — |
| Software Support Lifespan(years) | 7-10 years | — |
| GPU Gaming Performance (3DMark Wildlife)(score) | 2,500-3,200 (M4 GPU) | — |
| Starting Weight (15" model)(lbs) | 3.3 lbs | — |
| Weight (Base Model)(lbs) | 2.7 lbs (13-inch) | — |
| Starting Price (USD)(USD) | $1,199 | — |
| Base Price(USD) | $1,599 | — |
| GPU Cores (Max Configuration)(cores) | 10 cores (integrated) | — |
| Maximum Unified Memory(GB) | 24GB | — |
| Thunderbolt Ports (Standard)(ports) | 2 ports | — |
| Thunderbolt Ports(ports) | 2 ports (13.6-inch) | — |
| CPU Cores (Performance)(cores) | 8 cores | — |
| GPU Cores (Base Config)(cores) | 10 cores | — |
| Base Memory(GB) | 8 GB unified memory | — |
| Base Storage(GB) | 256 GB SSD | — |
| Display Refresh Rate(Hz) | 60 Hz | — |
Show 8 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
MacBook Air (M4)
Pros
- 15-18 hour battery life in mixed use scenarios
- 8-core CPU handles 90% of professional workflows efficiently
- $400 lower starting price than M5 model
- Fanless design in base configuration ensures silent operation
- 13-inch and 15-inch options with same chip performance
Cons
- 15-20% slower CPU performance than M5 for parallel workloads
- Limited to 10-core GPU in base model versus M5's 12-core standard
MacBook Air M5
Pros
- 3,150 Geekbench 6 single-core score (18% faster than M4)
- 140 GB/s memory bandwidth enables faster file operations and data processing
- 22W base TDP provides superior thermal efficiency and sustained performance
- 16-19 hour battery life with improved power management architecture
- 12-core GPU standard configuration for graphics-intensive applications
Cons
- $400-$600 higher starting price depending on configuration
- Overkill for basic web browsing, email, and document editing tasks
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
The M5 is worth the premium if you regularly perform CPU-intensive work like video editing, 3D rendering, or software compilation where 15-20% faster performance translates to measurable time savings. For general users doing web browsing, document editing, and light creative tasks, the M4 delivers excellent value and will remain fast for 5+ years. Consider your actual workflows and whether you'll use the extra performance regularly.
Resources & Learn More
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