Apple has launched its new M5-powered MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineup, introducing faster chips, upgraded storage, and next-generation wireless connectivity.
While performance gets a boost, pricing has increased — and in some markets, the power adapter is no longer included in the box.
M5 MacBook Air: More storage, higher price
The new MacBook Air with the M5 chip starts at $1,099, marking a $100 increase over the previous M4 generation.
However, the base configuration now includes 512GB of SSD storage, doubling the earlier 256GB standard. All models continue to ship with 16GB of unified memory, with options to configure 24GB or 32GB.
Maximum storage has also been expanded, increasing from 2TB in the M4 model to 4TB in the M5 version. Apple has also improved SSD speeds for faster data performance.
The M5 MacBook Air introduces support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple’s new N1 wireless chip, replacing Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Battery life remains rated at up to 18 hours. The laptop now includes a 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with a 60W maximum output.
Available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, the M5 Air retains its slim aluminum design, Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, Spatial Audio support, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports capable of driving up to two external displays.
Color options include sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver. Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability starting March 11.
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro
Apple has also introduced updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring the more powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
While the external design remains unchanged from the 2021 redesign, the internal upgrades focus on processing power, graphics, storage, and connectivity.
Performance gains
The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips feature up to an 18-core CPU, including six high-performance “super cores” and up to 12 additional performance cores.
Apple claims up to 30 percent faster overall performance compared to the previous generation. Graphics improvements include Neural Accelerators integrated into each GPU core, enabling significantly faster large language model (LLM) processing and up to a 50 percent boost in graphics performance.
Storage and connectivity enhancements
Storage now starts at 1TB for M5 Pro models and 2TB for M5 Max models, alongside faster SSD speeds.
The N1 wireless chip also brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support to the MacBook Pro lineup.
Battery life remains similar to the prior generation, with modest improvements in M5 Max configurations — offering up to 20 hours on the 14-inch model and up to 22 hours on the 16-inch version.
Pricing begins at $2,199 for the 14-inch M5 Pro model and $2,699 for the 16-inch version. M5 Max configurations are priced higher, starting at $3,599 and $3,899 respectively.
Pre-orders open March 4, with shipments beginning March 11.
No power adapter in some markets
Apple confirmed that the new M5 MacBook Pro will not include a power adapter in the box for customers in the United Kingdom and European Union.
The change aligns with regional regulations under the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, aimed at reducing electronic waste.
In contrast, customers in the United States will continue receiving bundled power adapters.
Earlier devices such as the iPad Air and iPad Pro were already affected by this shift. Older MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips still include 70W and 96W USB-C adapters, while M4 MacBook Air models include 30W and 35W adapters.
As Apple transitions future MacBook updates to the M5 generation, power adapters are expected to be excluded in affected regions moving forward.
