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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Published April 20, 2026
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What are all the differences between the 13" and 15" Apple Silicon MacBook Air "M5" and the 14" MacBook Pro "M5"? Which is best for my needs?
There are three "2026 M5" MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air "M5" 10 CPU/8 GPU 13", "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 13" and "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 15".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13" & 15" MacBook Air M5 Models)
In addition to higher-end models with "M5 Pro" and "M5 Max" processors released in 2026, there is a single entry-level "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14".
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (14" MacBook Pro M5)
Because these MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are fairly similar in both price and capability, there is particularly strong interest in a comparison. An in-depth evaluation can be especially useful, accordingly.
External Differences
Although all of these models use essentially sealed and disposable rectangular case designs with flat sides and are made of aluminum and glass, there are differences between them.
The 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models are slightly thinner -- 0.44 or 0.45 of an inch compared to 0.61 of an inch -- and a bit lighter -- (2.7 and 3.3 pounds compared to 3.4 pounds) -- than the 14" MacBook Pro "M5".
The 14" MacBook Pro "M5" is offered in either a silver color or "Space Black" whereas the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models are available in silver, warm gray "Starlight", light "Sky Blue," and dark blue "Midnight" options.
The displays on 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models are decent, but the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" display is significantly better quality, higher-resolution, and brighter.
The 13" and 15" MacBook Air models have "Liquid Retina" displays -- 13.6" (2560x1664) and 15.3" (2880x1864) -- respectively. These displays are LED-backlit with IPS, Wide color (P3), "True Tone" technology that automatically adjusts color temperature, 224 ppi, and provide 500 nits of brightness.
The 14" MacBook Pro, on the other hand, has a higher-resolution 14.2" (3024x1964) "Liquid Retina XDR" display. It also is LED-backlit with IPS, Wide color (P3), and supports "True Tone" technology. However, it is 254 ppi, provides up to 1000 nits of brightness for SDR content, up to 1000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness displaying HDR content, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as support for 1 billion colors. It also supports ProMotion (for adaptive refresh rates up to 120 Hz), which makes a substantial difference for fast moving images, in particular.
All of these notebooks have "Scissor Switch" keyboards, a large "Force Touch" trackpad, "Touch ID" authentication, and a 1080p, 12 megapixel "Center Stage" webcam in a "notch" at the upper portion of the display, but the smaller 13" MacBook Air "M5" models have four speakers whereas the 15" MacBook Air "M5" and 14" MacBook Pro "M5" models have six speaker systems with the MacBook Pro said to be "high fidelity" and offer "wide stereo sound".
The 14" MacBook Pro "M5" also has an advertised higher quality three-mic array -- with "high signal-to-noise ratio" -- for better sound input, too.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity is a major point of differentiation between the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models and the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" although the MacBook Pro is not universally better.
All of these models have a 3.5 mm headphone jack and "MagSafe 3" power connector.
The 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models have two "Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)" ports whereas the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" has three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports in addition to an HDMI port and an SDXC-capable SD card slot.
In terms of physical ports, the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" is clearly better, but when it comes to wireless capabilities, the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" are more modern with support for Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Bluetooth 6 whereas the MacBook Pro supports the older Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3 standards.
All of these models support up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt, one external display at 8K resolution at 60 Hz, or one external display at 4K resolution at 240 Hz over HDMI.
However, the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" has a few additional options because of the HDMI port. Most notably, the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" also can support one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144 Hz over HDMI.
Identification Differences
As carefully hand documented from each notebook itself by EveryMac.com, the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models as well as the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" have different Model Numbers, EMC Numbers, and Model Identifiers.
Although some identifiers have been shared across lines from multiple years, these identifiers are unique to these MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models alike. The Model Identifier in software also is a reliable way to differentiate between these notebook lines and others:
| Mac Model | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| Air M5 13" | A3449 | 8877 | Mac17,3 |
| Air M5 15" | A3448 | 8878 | Mac17,4 |
| Pro M5 14" | A3434 | 8896 | Mac17,2 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can uniquely identify each of these notebooks by other identifiers, as well.
More information about specific identifiers is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.
Internal Differences
Although there are many differences between specific interior parts in the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" models and the 14" MacBook Pro "M5", notebooks equipped with the same processor/graphics processor combo have essentially the same performance-related components and these models benchmark at nearly the same speed when otherwise configured the same.
However, the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" uses a fan for internal cooling, so it is less likely to throttle under heavy use and does eke out 2% or so faster performance in single-core tasks and 4% faster performance in multicore ones. Because it runs a bit cooler, the 14" MacBook Pro "M5" also may have a longer lifespan. It has a larger battery and can deliver more runtime, as well.
All of these models essentially are sealed and disposable and all have processors, graphics processors, RAM, and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase.
Comparison Chart
The above differences between the 13" and 15" MacBook Air "M5" and 14" MacBook Pro "M5" models -- displays, ports, speakers, external display support, batteries, identifiers, color options, dimensions, weight, and starting prices -- are summarized below:
 Air M5 13" |
 Air M5 15" |
 Pro M5 14" |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 13.6" | 15.3" | 14.2" |
| Resolution: | 2560x1664 | 2880x1864 | 3024x1964 |
| Wide Color: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| True Tone: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ProMotion: | No | No | Yes |
| PPI: | 224 ppi | 224 ppi | 254 ppi |
| Brightness: | 500 nits | 500 nits | 1000 nits |
| Architecture: | M5 | M5 | M5 |
| Processor Cores: | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Graphics Cores: | 8/10 | 10 | 10 |
| Cooling: | Passive | Passive | Active (Fan) |
| Std. RAM: | 16, 24 GB | 16, 24 GB | 16, 24, 32 GB |
| Max. RAM: | 32 GB* | 32 GB* | 32 GB* |
| Std. Storage: | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB† |
| Max. Storage: | 4 TB* | 4 TB* | 4 TB* |
| Speakers: | Four | Six | Six |
| Thunderbolt: | 2 Ports | 2 Ports | 3 Ports |
| HDMI: | No | No | Yes |
| SD Card: | No | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi: | 7 | 7 | 6E |
| Bluetooth: | 6 | 6 | 5.3 |
| Ext. Displays: | 2 | 2 | 2** |
| Battery W Hrs: | 53.8 W Hr | 66.5 W Hr | 72.4 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 15-18 Hours | 15-18 Hours | 16-24 Hours |
| Color Options: | Silver Starlight Sky Blue Midnight |
Silver Starlight Sky Blue Midnight |
Silver Space Black |
| Height (In): | 0.44 | 0.45 | 0.61 |
| Width (In): | 11.97 | 13.40 | 12.31 |
| Depth (In): | 8.46 | 9.35 | 8.71 |
| Weight: | 2.7 lbs | 3.3 lbs | 3.4 lbs |
| Model Number: | A3449 | A3448 | A3434 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac17,3 | Mac17,4 | Mac17,2 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1099 US$1299 US$1499 |
US$1299 US$1499 US$1699 |
US$1599† US$1799† US$1999† |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$1499 C$1799 C$2099 |
C$1799 C$2099 C$2399 |
C$2099 C$2399 C$2699 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1099 £1299 £1499 |
£1299 £1499 £1699 |
£1599 £1799 £1999 |
| Intro Price (FR): | €1199 €1449 €1699 |
€1499 €1749 €1999 |
€1799 €2049 €2299 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$1799 A$2099 A$2399 |
A$2199 A$2499 A$2799 |
A$2499 A$2799 A$3099 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$1599 S$1899 S$2199 |
S$1899 S$2199 S$2499 |
S$2199 S$2499 S$2799 |
* These models could be configured with additional RAM and storage at the time of system purchase. The RAM and storage cannot be upgraded later.
** Because of its HDMI port, the MacBook Pro "M5" can support more display options.
†Upon introducing the MacBook Air "M5" models, Apple discontinued the entry-level 512 GB storage configuration, 1 TB became the only standard configuration, and the price points each increased by US$100.
So, is a MacBook Air "M5" or MacBook Pro "M5" model best for me? Which one should I choose?
Just comparing these notebooks -- and ignoring both lower and higher-end options -- if relatively small size or light weight are your primary objectives, one of the MacBook Air models is the best choice for you. The MacBook Air models also provide (1) practically the same performance, (2) more modern wireless connectivity, and (3) a US$400 or US$500 or so lower price tag.
However, if capability is more important to you than price, the 14" MacBook Pro provides (1) a much better quality display, (2) an extra Thunderbolt port, (3) an HDMI port, (4) an SD card slot, (5) more default storage, (6) more diverse external display support, (7) better cooling, and (8) longer battery life. Those certainly are compelling reasons for some users to choose the 14" MacBook Pro. That is quite a bit of additional value for the price.
Of course, if price is important to you, you might also consider any number of used MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models to save a bit more money.
In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well.
On the other hand, if you need to sell a Mac, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
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