The direct answer: no, M4 MacBook Air owners should not upgrade to M5. Here's why.
Why Upgrading Doesn't Make Sense
The difference between M4 and M5 is essentially invisible for everyday use. Reviewers consistently describe the experience as "almost identical," and they're accurate.
The benchmarks look impressive: 11-17% faster CPU, 31% better graphics. But when browsing the web, writing documents, or doing light creative work, you won't feel it. The M4 was already overkill for normal tasks.
The Financial Reality
Even selling your M4 at a good price today, you'll still absorb several hundred dollars in depreciation. That's real money spent on improvements you likely won't notice.
When Upgrading Actually Makes Sense
Consider the M5 only if:
- Your 256GB storage is genuinely full and you need more space
- You do serious AI/machine learning work professionally
- You specifically need Wi-Fi 7 for work requirements
- Your M4 broke and needs replacement anyway
If none of those apply, skip it.
If You Actually Want to Upgrade
Coming from an M3, M2, or especially an M1 MacBook Air, the M5 represents a genuinely worthwhile jump. Those users see 38-75% improvements that translate to noticeable daily differences.
My Advice: Wait for M6
If the upgrade itch persists, hold out until next spring. Apple tends to deliver bigger changes every other generation. The M6 might bring ProMotion displays or design changes that actually matter.
Your M4 MacBook Air remains an excellent machine in 2026. Enjoy it.
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:...
