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8 / 10 Score Cnet Score CNET provides expert, unbiased reviews of products and services. When we assign a score, we use a scale of 1-10. Each product we score is evaluated by criteria specific to its category with most assessing pricing, quality, features and performance. Read more on: How we test M5 MacBook Air (13-inch, 2026) $1,099 at Apple 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, £1,299, AU$2,099 Display size/resolution 13.6-inch, 2,560x1,664-pixel LED-backlit IPS display, 500 nits brightness CPU M5 10‑core CPU Memory 16GB unified memory Graphics Integrated M5 10‑core GPU Storage 1TB SSD Networking Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 Ports 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, headphone Operating system MacOS Tahoe 26.3.1 Weight 2.7 lbs (1.2 kg)
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