Can a MacBook Air handle video editing in 2026?

Yes, a MacBook Air with M5 can handle light to moderate video editing tasks at 1080p or 4K resolution. However, you may experience performance throttling during sustained editing sessions due to the passive cooling system. For professional 4K/8K editing workflows, the MacBook Pro is recommended.

Is the 120Hz display on MacBook Pro worth the extra cost?

The 120Hz ProMotion display is noticeably smoother during scrolling and general use, making everything feel more responsive. While not essential for basic tasks, professionals working with motion graphics or video will appreciate the smoothness. For most users, the difference is noticeable but not game-changing.

How much RAM do I actually need in 2026?

For students and everyday users: 8-16GB is sufficient. For light creative work (video editing, design): 16GB is recommended. For professional workflows or heavy multitasking: 24GB or more. The MacBook Air maxes out at 24GB, while the Pro offers up to 128GB for complex professional tasks.

Should I buy a MacBook Air or Pro if I'm on a tight budget?

The MacBook Air is the better choice for budget-conscious buyers. It offers 80-90% of the Pro's performance for significantly less cost. Unless you specifically need sustained performance for demanding professional work, the Air provides excellent value and will serve most users well for 5+ years.

What are the predicted upgrades for MacBook Pro 2026?

Rumored features include OLED displays, potential touchscreen integration, thinner design, cellular support options, and next-generation M6 chips. These upgrades would further differentiate the Pro line from the Air, particularly in display technology and connectivity.

MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro 2026

Updated March 27, 2026

MacBook Air 2026

Mid-range Apple laptop with M5 chip, ideal for everyday professional and personal use.

Students, casual users, web developers, content consumers, and anyone prioritizing portability and budget

Check Price

MacBook Pro 2026

High-performance Apple laptop with M5 Pro/Max chips, designed for creative professionals and demanding workloads.

Video editors, 3D animators, software developers, data scientists, and professionals requiring sustained high performance

Check Price

Short Answer

The MacBook Air offers excellent performance for everyday tasks and light creative work at a more affordable price, while the MacBook Pro delivers superior sustained performance, a 120Hz display, and advanced cooling for demanding professional workloads. Choose the Air for general use and the Pro for intensive video editing, 3D rendering, or professional development.

Our Verdict

Both laptops are exceptional, and the choice depends on your workload and budget. The MacBook Air is the better value for students and general users who need portability and solid performance. The MacBook Pro justifies its premium price for professionals requiring sustained performance during intensive tasks and those who value the superior display technology.

MacBook Air 20266.5

8.5MacBook Pro 2026

Choose MacBook Air 2026 if

Students, casual users, web developers, content consumers, and anyone prioritizing portability and budget

Track this comparison

Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.

Triggers: price change new spec verdict update

No spam. Stop anytime.

Key Differences at a Glance

⚡

Processor Performance: MacBook Pro 2026 wins (M5 Pro/Max with superior sustained performance vs M5 chip with good peak performance)

📱

Display Refresh Rate: MacBook Pro 2026 wins (120Hz adaptive ProMotion display vs 60Hz standard display)

💰

Starting Price (USD): MacBook Air 2026 wins ($1,199 vs $1,999)

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	MacBook Air 2026	MacBook Pro 2026	Diff
Starting Price(USD)	$1,199	$1,999	-40%
Display Refresh Rate(Hz)	60Hz	120Hz	-50%
Base RAM Configuration(GB)	8GB	16GB

Key Differences

MacBook Air 2026

Attribute

MacBook Pro 2026

M5 chip with good peak performance

Processor Performance

M5 Pro/Max with superior sustained performance🏆

60Hz standard display

Display Refresh Rate

120Hz adaptive ProMotion display🏆

$1,199🏆

Related Comparisons

MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro 2026

technology

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26

technology

PS5 vs Xbox Series X

technology

Mac vs Windows

technology

Apple vs Samsung

brands

Android vs iOS

technology

Nike vs Adidas

brands

NVIDIA vs AMD

technology

Coca-Cola vs Pepsi

brands

Spotify vs Apple Music

technology

McDonald's vs Burger King

brands

Gucci vs Louis Vuitton

brands

technology

Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest

Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.

technology

Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide

Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.

Explore Entities

More Products

People Also Compare

Last updated: March 27, 2026AI generated

Processor Performance

MacBook Air 2026

M5 chip with good peak performance

MacBook Pro 2026

M5 Pro/Max with superior sustained performance🏆

Display Refresh Rate

MacBook Air 2026

60Hz standard display

MacBook Pro 2026

120Hz adaptive ProMotion display🏆

Starting Price (USD)

MacBook Air 2026

$1,199🏆

MacBook Pro 2026

$1,999

Thermal Management

MacBook Air 2026

Passive cooling with thermal throttling under load

MacBook Pro 2026

Active cooling with dedicated fans for sustained performance🏆

Maximum RAM

MacBook Air 2026

24GB

MacBook Pro 2026

128GB (M5 Max)🏆

Port Selection

MacBook Air 2026

2 Thunderbolt 3 ports

MacBook Pro 2026

3-4 Thunderbolt 4 ports + HDMI + SD card🏆

Ideal Use Case

MacBook Air 2026

Students, web browsing, light editing, everyday work

MacBook Pro 2026

Video editors, developers, 3D designers, power users

Full Comparison

Attribute	MacBook Air 2026	MacBook Pro 2026

Starting Price(USD)	$1,199	$1,999

Display Refresh Rate(Hz)	60Hz	120Hz
Screen Size Option(inches)	13", 15"	14", 16"

Base RAM Configuration(GB)	8GB	16GB
Maximum RAM Capacity(GB)	24GB	128GB
Maximum RAM Configuration(GB)	24GB	128GB
Maximum RAM(GB)	24GB	128GB

Weight(g)	2.7-3.3 lbs (13.6-15in)	3.5 lbs (14in)

Thunderbolt Ports(count)	2 Thunderbolt 3	3-4 Thunderbolt 4

Processor Generation(chip)	M5	M5 Pro / M5 Max
Processor Tiers Available	M5 standard	M5 Pro, M5 Max
GPU Cores (Max Configuration)(cores)	10-core GPU	20-core GPU
Thermal Management	Passive/limited cooling	Active cooling with fans
Sustained Performance Under Load	Moderate (thermal throttling possible)	Excellent (active cooling system)
Show 1 more attribute Processor Apple M5 Apple M5 Pro/Max

Cooling System	Passive cooling only	Active fans with passive backing

Typical Use Case Suitability	Everyday professional and personal tasks	Intensive creative and technical work

Weight (15-inch model)(lbs)	3.3 lbs	3.5 lbs

MacBook Air 2026

MacBook Pro 2026

Starting Price(USD)

$1,199

$1,999

Display Refresh Rate(Hz)

60Hz

120Hz

Screen Size Option(inches)

13", 15"

14", 16"

Base RAM Configuration(GB)

8GB

16GB

Maximum RAM Capacity(GB)

24GB

128GB

Maximum RAM Configuration(GB)

24GB

128GB

Maximum RAM(GB)

24GB

128GB

Weight(g)

2.7-3.3 lbs (13.6-15in)

3.5 lbs (14in)

Thunderbolt Ports(count)

2 Thunderbolt 3

3-4 Thunderbolt 4

Processor Generation(chip)

M5 Pro / M5 Max

Processor Tiers Available

M5 standard

M5 Pro, M5 Max

GPU Cores (Max Configuration)(cores)

10-core GPU

20-core GPU

Thermal Management

Passive/limited cooling

Active cooling with fans

Sustained Performance Under Load

Moderate (thermal throttling possible)

Excellent (active cooling system)

Show 1 more attribute

Processor

Apple M5

Apple M5 Pro/Max

Cooling System

Passive cooling only

Active fans with passive backing

Typical Use Case Suitability

Everyday professional and personal tasks

Intensive creative and technical work

Weight (15-inch model)(lbs)

3.3 lbs

3.5 lbs

Full Comparison

Attribute	MacBook Air 2026	MacBook Pro 2026

Starting Price(USD)	$1,199	$1,999

Display Refresh Rate(Hz)	60Hz	120Hz
Screen Size Option(inches)	13", 15"	14", 16"

Base RAM Configuration(GB)	8GB	16GB
Maximum RAM Capacity(GB)	24GB	128GB
Maximum RAM Configuration(GB)	24GB	128GB
Maximum RAM(GB)	24GB	128GB

Weight(g)	2.7-3.3 lbs (13.6-15in)	3.5 lbs (14in)

Thunderbolt Ports(count)	2 Thunderbolt 3	3-4 Thunderbolt 4

Processor Generation(chip)	M5	M5 Pro / M5 Max
Processor Tiers Available	M5 standard	M5 Pro, M5 Max
GPU Cores (Max Configuration)(cores)	10-core GPU	20-core GPU
Thermal Management	Passive/limited cooling	Active cooling with fans
Sustained Performance Under Load	Moderate (thermal throttling possible)	Excellent (active cooling system)
Show 1 more attribute Processor Apple M5 Apple M5 Pro/Max

Cooling System	Passive cooling only	Active fans with passive backing

Typical Use Case Suitability	Everyday professional and personal tasks	Intensive creative and technical work

Weight (15-inch model)(lbs)	3.3 lbs	3.5 lbs

MacBook Air 2026

MacBook Pro 2026

Starting Price(USD)

$1,199

$1,999

Display Refresh Rate(Hz)

60Hz

120Hz

Screen Size Option(inches)

13", 15"

14", 16"

Base RAM Configuration(GB)

8GB

16GB

Maximum RAM Capacity(GB)

24GB

128GB

Maximum RAM Configuration(GB)

24GB

128GB

Maximum RAM(GB)

24GB

128GB

Weight(g)

2.7-3.3 lbs (13.6-15in)

3.5 lbs (14in)

Thunderbolt Ports(count)

2 Thunderbolt 3

3-4 Thunderbolt 4

Processor Generation(chip)

M5 Pro / M5 Max

Processor Tiers Available

M5 standard

M5 Pro, M5 Max

GPU Cores (Max Configuration)(cores)

10-core GPU

20-core GPU

Thermal Management

Passive/limited cooling

Active cooling with fans

Sustained Performance Under Load

Moderate (thermal throttling possible)

Excellent (active cooling system)

Show 1 more attribute

Processor

Apple M5

Apple M5 Pro/Max

Cooling System

Passive cooling only

Active fans with passive backing

Typical Use Case Suitability

Everyday professional and personal tasks

Intensive creative and technical work

Weight (15-inch model)(lbs)

3.3 lbs

3.5 lbs

MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro 2026

MacBook Air 2026

MacBook Pro 2026

Short Answer

Our Verdict

Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Products

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

MacBook Air 2026

Pros

Cons

MacBook Pro 2026

Pros

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Where to Buy

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Cons

MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro 2026

MacBook Air 2026

MacBook Pro 2026

Short Answer

Our Verdict

🔔Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Products

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

MacBook Air 2026

Pros

Cons

MacBook Pro 2026

Pros

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Where to Buy

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Cons

Track this comparison