I Tested Apple’s M5 MacBook Air—It’s Still the One Most Laptops Chase

Source Domain: uk.pcmag.com

Like on last year’s model, Apple provided a Sky Blue MacBook Air for review. It’s a welcome, subtle change from the traditional silver—it looks similar, at a glance, and still fits a professional setting. The color is more evident at certain angles, making it difficult to capture in photos. I’m personally more drawn to the Starlight or Midnight options, but this is a fun, chic color that fits with the MacBook Air’s totable design.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

On that note, the Air measures 0.44 by 12 by 8.5 inches (HWD) and weighs 2.7 pounds, identical to the M4 model. It’s as slick and portable as ever, living up to the iconic Air name for those seeking a slim and lightweight laptop to take on the road. The aluminum build is a step above many Windows alternatives in this price band, though you will find more all-metal PCs than you used to—no doubt in an effort to compete with this exact laptop.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

You’ll indeed find this common thread across the design: This system is identical to last year’s model. The keyboard remains unchanged, with its comfortable and quick feedback. If you’re a heavy-handed typist, the keys will bottom out sometimes. Without much vertical travel on these keys, I can feel the keys hit the bottom of the housing fairly often. This experience is expected on a super-thin laptop.

Touch ID is still on the power button, while the haptic trackpad remains the industry standard thanks to its smooth, responsive input and intuitive gesture controls.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

An unchanged design also means the display is the same. In addition to the roughly 1600p resolution, the screen features a 60Hz refresh rate and a 500-nit brightness rating. Apple has run the Air with the same display for a while now, while the market has advanced. The divisive camera “notch” returns, though I don’t find it too obtrusive. It sticks out at first, but since the macOS menu bar runs along the top of the…

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