Trying to figure out what's actually different between the M4 and M5 MacBook Air? Here's the complete breakdown.
The Chip Gets Faster (But You Might Not Notice)
The M5 is definitely faster on paper. Expect about 11-17% better CPU performance and roughly 31% improved graphics. But here's the thing: unless you're doing heavy creative work, you probably won't feel the difference day-to-day. Both chips handle normal laptop tasks without breaking a sweat.
Where you will notice it? Video editing, gaming, and anything AI-related. The M5 delivers up to 4x faster performance for Apple Intelligence tasks.
Storage Is the Big Win
The most important practical difference: the M5 MacBook Air starts with 512GB of storage instead of 256GB. That's double the capacity. And the SSD itself is dramatically faster, with more than twice the speed for reading and writing files.
If you've ever felt cramped for space on a MacBook after a year or two, this upgrade matters significantly.
New Wireless Technology
The M5 includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple's new N1 chip. Is this immediately useful? Probably not unless you already have a Wi-Fi 7 router. But it's solid future-proofing for the laptop's lifespan.
Everything Else Stays the Same
Both models share the same beautiful design, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display at 60Hz (still no ProMotion), 18-hour rated battery life, identical ports, the same 12MP Center Stage camera, and the same color options.
The Price Situation
The M5 starts at $1,099 versus $999 for the M4. That extra $100 gets you double the storage, a faster chip, improved SSD speeds, and newer wireless standards. When you consider that Apple charges $200 to upgrade the M4 to 512GB, the M5 is actually the better value if you need the storage space.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How ShopSavvy makes money
How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from ShopSavvy's price data.
📚More About Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip
Considering the Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip?
Here's our "TLDR" Review
Download ShopSavvy App
Compare prices across tens of thousands of stores, set price alerts, watch for deals by keyword, and much more.
Install ShopSavvy Browser Extension
Compare and track prices automatically while you shop online at thousands of websites.
More Answers
If you're still curious about the Apple MacBook Air 2025 13-inch with M4 Chip, here are some other answers you might find interesting:
- Which color M5 MacBook Air should I get? Does Midnight still show fingerprints?
The M5 MacBook Air comes in four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Silver, and Sky Blue. All have identical specifications, so this decision is purely about what...
- Is 16GB RAM enough on the M5 MacBook Air, or should I upgrade to 24GB or 32GB?
Both M4 and M5 MacBook Air models start at 16GB RAM. That's a welcome improvement from the 8GB base on earlier generations. But do you need more? Apple's...
- How does the M5 MacBook Air perform with Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligence is Apple's on-device AI system, and the M5 MacBook Air is significantly better at running it than the M4. M5 delivers up to 4x faster AI...
- Is the M5 MacBook Air's 60Hz display a problem?
The M5 MacBook Air has a 60Hz display. Reviewers call it "outdated for 2026." But is it actually problematic for you? 60Hz: Screen refreshes 60 times per...
- M5 MacBook Air 13-inch vs 15-inch: Which size should I get?
Good news: this is purely a personal preference decision. The 13-inch and 15-inch M5 MacBook Air models have identical internals: same M5 chip, same RAM...
- What's the resale value difference between M4 and M5 MacBook Air?
MacBooks retain value better than virtually any other laptop brand. Understanding depreciation patterns helps inform your decision. After 1 year: Worth...
- How many external displays can the M5 MacBook Air support?
External display support has been a persistent limitation for MacBook Air users. The M5 MacBook Air brings some improvements, though certain constraints...
- Does the M5 MacBook Air run hot?
The M5 MacBook Air has no fans. It relies entirely on passive cooling, with the metal body serving as a heatsink. Here's what that means in practice. Good news...
- M5 MacBook Air vs M4 MacBook Pro: Which should I choose?
This is a fascinating comparison because the M5 MacBook Air is actually faster than the M4 MacBook Pro in raw benchmark performance. But there's more to...
- When will the M6 MacBook Air come out? Should I wait?
Apple's MacBook Air refresh cycle has been consistent enough to make reasonable predictions about M6 timing. Based on the established pattern: M3 MacBook Air:...
