# Is the M5 MacBook Air worth $100 more than the M4?

> Breaking down the value proposition of Apple's 2026 MacBook Air

*Published: 2026-03-19 | Updated: 2026-03-19 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/m5-macbook-air-worth-100-dollars-more-than-m4*

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## Product: Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip
**Brand:** Apple

Short answer? Yes, it probably is. Here's the math that makes the case.

## The Storage Calculation Makes This Simple

The [M5 MacBook Air](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-Unified-Storage/dp/B0DZDC3WW5?tag=shopsavvy00-20) starts with 512GB of storage. The M4 starts with 256GB. To upgrade the M4 to match, Apple charges $200 extra.

The math:
- M4 with 512GB = $999 + $200 = **$1,199**
- M5 with 512GB = **$1,099**

You save $100 AND get a better chip. If you think you'll need the storage space, this becomes straightforward.

## What Else That $100 Buys

Beyond the storage advantage:
- A chip that's 11-17% faster overall
- Graphics approximately 31% better for gaming and creative work
- AI tasks running up to 4x faster
- An SSD that's more than twice as fast
- Wi-Fi 7 instead of Wi-Fi 6E

Individually, perhaps none of these justify $100. Together? A compelling package.

## When the M4 Still Makes Sense

The M4 becomes the better choice if:
- You find it on sale for $799 or less (an excellent deal)
- You genuinely won't exceed 256GB of storage
- Every dollar counts and you just need a capable MacBook

## Who Should Go M5

- Anyone who would upgrade the storage anyway (you're actually saving money)
- Video editors, photographers, and developers who benefit from extra performance
- People planning to keep their laptop for 4+ years
- Anyone wanting the latest wireless standards

## The Bottom Line

At just $100 more, which effectively saves money if you need storage, the [M5 MacBook Air](https://www.amazon.com/Apple-MacBook-13-inch-Unified-Storage/dp/B0DZDC3WW5?tag=shopsavvy00-20) is the smarter purchase for most people shopping right now.

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*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*