The M5 MacBook Air has a 60Hz display. Reviewers call it "outdated for 2026." But is it actually problematic for you?
Understanding the Difference
- 60Hz: Screen refreshes 60 times per second (MacBook Air)
- 120Hz (ProMotion): Screen refreshes 120 times per second (MacBook Pro)
Higher refresh rate means smoother scrolling, animations, and cursor movement.
Who Actually Notices?
You'll likely notice if you:
- Regularly use a 120Hz phone (iPhone Pro, most Android flagships)
- Game on high-refresh monitors
- Are sensitive to motion smoothness
- Frequently switch between ProMotion and non-ProMotion devices
Who Won't Care?
You probably won't mind if you:
- Haven't experienced 120Hz regularly
- Care more about productivity than visual polish
- Want to maximize battery life (120Hz uses more power)
- Don't scroll and animate constantly
The Honest Reality
If you've been using an iPhone Pro with ProMotion, the Air's display may feel "less smooth" in comparison. It's not objectively bad. It's what computers delivered for decades. But side by side, 120Hz is noticeably smoother.
When It Actually Matters
- Fast scrolling through long documents
- Smooth cursor tracking for precise work
- Gaming (though the Air has other gaming limitations)
- General "premium feel" of interface interactions
When It Doesn't Matter
- Typing documents
- Video calls
- Watching videos (most are 24-60 fps anyway)
- Most productivity work
Future Expectations
Rumors suggest ProMotion might come to MacBook Air with M6 or M7. If 120Hz genuinely matters, waiting or choosing MacBook Pro are options.
My perspective: For most users, 60Hz is perfectly fine. It's a "nice to have," not a dealbreaker. Don't let refresh rate anxiety drive your purchase unless smooth scrolling genuinely matters for your specific workflow.
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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.
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