M5 MacBook Air Review (13-Inch, 2026): Go Big or Go Neo
M5 MacBook Air Review (13-Inch, 2026): Go Big or Go Neo
https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/m5-macbook-air-review-13-inch-2026/
Publish Date: 2026-03-11 06:09:00
Source Domain: www.cnet.com
M5 MacBook Air (13-inch, 2026)
Pros
- Storage minimum raised to 512GB
- Thin, light and rigid aluminum design
- Improved app, graphics and AI performance from M5 chip
Cons
- Costs $500 more than MacBook Neo
- Display isn’t much bigger than the Neo’s
- Same design since 2022
The MacBook Air has lost its spot as Apple’s entry-level laptop. And, on top of that, its price has gone up $100. Built around Apple’s latest M-series processor, the M5 MacBook Air starts at $1,099. That’s a full $500 more than the MacBook Neo, Apple’s new option for budget-conscious laptop shoppers. While the Air itself isn’t in danger of getting squeezed in the middle — the cheapest 14-inch MacBook Pro is $600 more than the baseline Air — it’s the space between the MacBook Neo and the larger, 15-inch MacBook Air that’s crowding out the 13-inch Air.
With the 13-inch Air no longer the MacBook entry point, who is it for? The much cheaper Neo is now my pick for most students (and parents making the tech purchases for their kids). The 13-inch Air is still a fantastic pick for a small, higher-performance laptop (just not Pro-level performance) and the better choice for a subset of students, such as those studying design or STEM, for example, than the Neo, but it’s not the MacBook Air I’d recommend for most.
The larger 15-inch MacBook Air offers a better balance between screen size and system weight than the 13-inch model. If you’re already spending an additional $500 to step up from the Neo to the 13-inch Air, I strongly suggest spending an additional $200 for the roomier 15-inch Air. The larger display is really nice, and the 15-inch Air is still $400 less and a few ounces lighter than the smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro, putting it in the sweet spot of productivity, portability and price.
Apple MacBook Air (M5, 13-inch, 2026)
| Price as reviewed | $1,299,… |
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