GoKawiilI would argue that Apple currently has its best MacBook lineup it’s ever offered. Since the release of the MacBook Neo, they now have a really strong option at every price point. But at the same time, there is a slight awkward issue. The MacBook Neo is now the default recommendation for anyone who just wants a Mac laptop, and if you need Pro-level features and hardware, you go with the MacBook Pro. So where does that leave the M5 MacBook Air? Who is the target customer now? The MacBook Air is no longer the de facto entry-level computer, but it’s also not as powerful as the Pro-level MacBooks, so who should buy the MacBook Air?
Be sure to check out our latest video discussing who the M5 MacBook Air is for becuase there is still a target customer!
For years, the MacBook Air was the safest recommendation in laptops, especially after Apple introduced its own M-series chips in 2020. The MacBook Air struck the perfect balance between performance, portability, and price, and it was the cheapest laptop Apple made that let you get into the Apple ecosystem. There were even times when it hit $749 on Amazon, making it an insane deal.
But the regular retail price of a MacBook Air was $999 from Apple and for some, that was too much to even consider. So in steps the new MacBook Neo. This MacBook gave you 95% of the MacBook experience at just $599. You got the same fantastic build quality and materials, you got full-fledged MacOS, you got a great 13in display, and you got insane battery life. The MacBook Neo has become the new default recommendation for most people who just want the easiest and cheapest Apple Laptop to get into.
So not only did the entry point for a MacBook drop to $599, but Apple also updated the MacBook Air with the new M5 chip, doubled the base storage, but increased the starting price to $1099 (or $949 from Amazon). This created a $500 price gap that really forces you to look purely at the MacBook Neo if your budget is under $700-$800. There is no real “price ladder” to justify getting you into a MacBook Air. Then, on the other side of the spectrum, the MacBook Pro was becoming more Pro.
While the MacBook Neo was dethroning the MacBook Air as the best entry-level MacBook, at the same time, the MacBook Pro lineup was getting even better. Not only does the MacBook Pro have better hardware than the MacBook Air, like a Mini-LED 120Hz Promotion display, faster internals, better speakers, more port variety, a fan for better sustained performance, and it was built for Pro-level workflows. So the MacBook Pro feels like a significant step up from the MacBook Air, both in hardware and performance.
The MacBook Pro starts at $1699, but you get all the awesome hardware I mentioned, plus more GPU cores than the Air, and you get 1TB of base storage. So that’s where it gets a bit strange, and you really begin to wonder who the MacBook Air is for. If the MacBook Neo is for entry-level customers and the MacBook Pro is for Pro-level users, which customer is left to buy a MacBook Air?
The M5 MacBook Air issue
The issue with the MacBook Air isn’t that it’s a bad laptop, because it’s not. It is actually still one of the best laptops you can buy today. The issue is that it doesn’t clearly win anywhere in Apple’s lineup anymore. On one side, you have the MacBook Neo at $599. It handles everyday tasks like web browsing, email, schoolwork, and even some light creative work without breaking a sweat. For many people, that’s all they need, and it costs almost half the price of the Air.
Then, on the other side, you have the MacBook Pro. Starting at $1699, you’re getting a significantly better display, better speakers, more ports, better sustained performance thanks to the fan, and a machine that is built to handle heavier workloads long-term. It feels like a true step up.
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