MacBook Air M5 launches with up to 4 TB SSD and 18 hours of battery life
Apple this week launched the new MacBook Air equipped with the M5 chip, available in 13-inch and 15-inch versions. The model brings significant improvements in performance, storage and connectivity, with a focus on artificial intelligence tasks and more efficient daily use. Pre-sales began on March 4, 2026, with deliveries starting on March 11, and prices start at higher values compared to the predecessor, justified by twice the base storage and advances in hardware.
The launch took place through an official announcement from Apple, highlighting the balance between portability and power in the MacBook Air. Consumers can purchase the product directly from Apple Store online or from authorized dealers. The settings allow RAM and storage customizations to suit different usage profiles.
The design maintains the series’ characteristic thin and light line, without radical changes to the chassis. The Liquid Retina screen continues to be present in both variants, with support for wide colors and suitable brightness for indoor and outdoor environments.
Prices and market availability
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 chip starts at R$13,999 for the Brasil, while the 15-inch version starts at R$15,999. Esses values represent an increase over the previous model, offset by base storage doubled to 512 GB.
Education options offer discounts, reducing the starting price of the 13-inch model to R$12,699. Sales occur at local times in each region, with initial stock available in Apple physical and online stores.
Buyers can configure the machines on the official website, selecting upgrades that increase performance as needed.
Main news on the M5 chip
The M5 chip represents the main advancement of the new MacBook Air, with a 10-core CPU and a GPU that reaches 10 cores in the top configuration. Unified memory offers 153 GB/s bandwidth, a 28% increase over M4, which improves multitasking and data-intensive processing.
Apple highlights gains of up to four times in tasks related to artificial intelligence. Users can opt for 16 GB of RAM in the base configuration, with expansion possibilities to 24 GB or 32 GB.
The standard 512 GB SSD storage doubles that of the previous model and allows expansion up to 4 TB. SSD read and write speeds are twice as fast, speeding up accessing large files and launching applications.
Key technical features of the MacBook Air M5
- M5 chip with up to 10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- Unified memory starting at 16 GB, expandable up to 32 GB
- 512GB base SSD storage, with option for up to 4TB
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread technology support
- Battery life with up to 18 hours of streaming video playback
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and MagSafe 3 charging
These items highlight the Apple’s focus on efficient performance and modern connectivity without sacrificing autonomy.
Screen and visuals
The 13-inch variant has a 13.6-inch screen and a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels, with a refresh rate of 60 Hz and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. The webcam positioned in the center has 12 MP, improving quality in video calls.
The 15-inch model offers a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina screen, 2880 x 1864 pixel resolution and support for the M5 chip complete with 10-core GPU. Ambas screens support wide color gamut and True Tone for automatic temperature adjustment.
Image quality remains consistent in different lighting conditions, facilitating long-term use.
Improved connectivity and battery
The new MacBook Air incorporates the N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread technology for smart networking. Essas updates ensure faster and more stable connections, especially in environments with multiple devices.
The laptop maintains two Thunderbolt 4 ports for data transfer and charging, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. Support for MagSafe 3 continues, enabling safe magnetic charging.
The 53.8 Wh battery offers up to 18 hours of streaming video playback, maintaining the autonomy characteristic of the Air line even with the most powerful chip.
Maintained design and portability
The chassis remains thin and light, preserving the essence of the MacBook Air as an ultra-thin laptop. The available colors follow the recent Apple standard, with finishes in neutral and premium tones.
The recycled aluminum construction reinforces the company’s environmental commitment. The Magic Keyboard keyboard and Force Touch trackpad remain unchanged, ensuring a familiar usage experience.
The absence of fans maintains total silence during operation, even under intense loads.
The new MacBook Air with M5 arrives as a solid upgrade for users looking for a balance between performance, battery and mobility.
Apple this week launched the new MacBook Air equipped with the M5 chip, available in 13-inch and 15-inch versions. The model brings significant improvements in performance, storage and connectivity, with a focus on artificial intelligence tasks and more efficient daily use. Pre-sales began on March 4, 2026, with deliveries starting on March 11, and prices start at higher values compared to the predecessor, justified by twice the base storage and advances in hardware.
The launch took place through an official announcement from Apple, highlighting the balance between portability and power in the MacBook Air. Consumers can purchase the product directly from Apple Store online or from authorized dealers. The settings allow RAM and storage customizations to suit different usage profiles.
The design maintains the series’ characteristic thin and light line, without radical changes to the chassis. The Liquid Retina screen continues to be present in both variants, with support for wide colors and suitable brightness for indoor and outdoor environments.
Prices and market availability
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 chip starts at R$13,999 for the Brasil, while the 15-inch version starts at R$15,999. Esses values represent an increase over the previous model, offset by base storage doubled to 512 GB.
Education options offer discounts, reducing the starting price of the 13-inch model to R$12,699. Sales occur at local times in each region, with initial stock available in Apple physical and online stores.
Buyers can configure the machines on the official website, selecting upgrades that increase performance as needed.
Main news on the M5 chip
The M5 chip represents the main advancement of the new MacBook Air, with a 10-core CPU and a GPU that reaches 10 cores in the top configuration. Unified memory offers 153 GB/s bandwidth, a 28% increase over M4, which improves multitasking and data-intensive processing.
Apple highlights gains of up to four times in tasks related to artificial intelligence. Users can opt for 16 GB of RAM in the base configuration, with expansion possibilities to 24 GB or 32 GB.
The standard 512 GB SSD storage doubles that of the previous model and allows expansion up to 4 TB. SSD read and write speeds are twice as fast, speeding up accessing large files and launching applications.
Key technical features of the MacBook Air M5
- M5 chip with up to 10-core CPU and up to 10-core GPU
- Unified memory starting at 16 GB, expandable up to 32 GB
- 512GB base SSD storage, with option for up to 4TB
- Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread technology support
- Battery life with up to 18 hours of streaming video playback
- Two Thunderbolt 4 ports and MagSafe 3 charging
These items highlight the Apple’s focus on efficient performance and modern connectivity without sacrificing autonomy.
Screen and visuals
The 13-inch variant has a 13.6-inch screen and a resolution of 2560 x 1664 pixels, with a refresh rate of 60 Hz and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. The webcam positioned in the center has 12 MP, improving quality in video calls.
The 15-inch model offers a 15.3-inch Liquid Retina screen, 2880 x 1864 pixel resolution and support for the M5 chip complete with 10-core GPU. Ambas screens support wide color gamut and True Tone for automatic temperature adjustment.
Image quality remains consistent in different lighting conditions, facilitating long-term use.
Improved connectivity and battery
The new MacBook Air incorporates the N1 wireless chip, supporting Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread technology for smart networking. Essas updates ensure faster and more stable connections, especially in environments with multiple devices.
The laptop maintains two Thunderbolt 4 ports for data transfer and charging, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. Support for MagSafe 3 continues, enabling safe magnetic charging.
The 53.8 Wh battery offers up to 18 hours of streaming video playback, maintaining the autonomy characteristic of the Air line even with the most powerful chip.
Maintained design and portability
The chassis remains thin and light, preserving the essence of the MacBook Air as an ultra-thin laptop. The available colors follow the recent Apple standard, with finishes in neutral and premium tones.
The recycled aluminum construction reinforces the company’s environmental commitment. The Magic Keyboard keyboard and Force Touch trackpad remain unchanged, ensuring a familiar usage experience.
The absence of fans maintains total silence during operation, even under intense loads.
The new MacBook Air with M5 arrives as a solid upgrade for users looking for a balance between performance, battery and mobility.
Bruna Santos é colaboradora da redação do Mix Vale, portal de notícias com cobertura de Brasil e mundo. Produz conteúdo nas editorias de economia e benefícios, com foco em informação de serviço para o leitor brasileiro. Escreve e colabora para o portal desde 2024. Formação: Professora.
