MacBook Air M5: The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Model

By the Joybuy Editorial TeamPublished July 18, 2026

The 2026 MacBook Air M5 is a game-changer in the ultraportable market. Between the stratospheric performance promised by the Apple M5 chip, the arrival of Apple Intelligence, and the two-screen-size dilemma, making a choice can be a real headache. Whether you're a student, a professional on the go, or a creative, this guide is here to help you see things more clearly. Our mission: to break down each configuration to help you find THE model that perfectly meets your needs, without getting lost in marketing jargon.

Key Criteria for Choosing Your MacBook Air M5

Before diving into our top picks, let's review the key factors that will guide your decision to buy the 2026 MacBook Air that's best suited for you.

1. Screen Size: 13-inch or 15-inch, The Great Dilemma

This is the first decision you'll need to make: should you prioritise ultimate portability or the comfort of a larger screen?

• The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 is the quintessential ultraportable. With its feather-light weight of 1.23 kg and record-breaking thinness, it slips into any backpack or tote bag. It's the ideal choice for students and professionals who are constantly on the move and for whom every gram counts.
• The 15-inch MacBook Air M5, on the other hand, offers a much more generous display area. This provides invaluable comfort for multitasking, photo editing, or even some light video editing. It remains incredibly portable at just 1.51 kg. It's an excellent compromise for those who want a large screen without the weight of a MacBook Pro.

2. Unified Memory (RAM) and Storage: The Winning Combo for the Future

Like its predecessors, the M5 chip is built on Apple's unified memory architecture. In practice, this means the RAM is shared between the processor (CPU), graphics chip (GPU), and the Neural Engine for formidable efficiency.

• Unified Memory: In 2026, a configuration with 16GB of RAM is a solid foundation that ensures rock-solid multitasking fluidity. It's a future-proof setup, ready for tomorrow's applications, especially those that will fully leverage Apple's AI. For creatives or those who juggle very large files, the 24GB option becomes a compelling choice.
• Storage (SSD): The 512GB SSD offers the best balance of space and budget. It allows you to comfortably store your applications, documents, and a significant portion of your photo library. If you handle large video files or want to keep your entire digital life just a click away, aim for 1TB or more.

3. Ports and Keyboard

The entire 2026 lineup features the latest connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. The result: ultra-fast transfers and a rock-solid connection. A key detail that shouldn't be overlooked: the presence of a QWERTY keyboard is essential for optimal typing comfort in most English-speaking regions. Rest assured, all the models we recommend can be configured accordingly.

Recommended MacBook Air M5 Models

Here are three configurations that we believe stand out for their balance and suitability for different user profiles.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - Sky Blue

Why it stands out: This is the most balanced configuration in the lineup. It combines the comfort of a large 15.3-inch screen with a powerful spec sheet (16GB of RAM, 512GB of SSD), capable of breezing through most professional and creative tasks with stunning fluidity.

The pros:

• The large 15.3-inch Liquid Retina display is a feast for the eyes.
• The versatility of the Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU).
• Marathon battery life, with up to 18 hours of video playback.
• Modern connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Who is it for? Mobile professionals, consultants, or students looking for the comfort of a large screen for multitasking, without sacrificing portability or battery life.

See price and details

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M5, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD - Sky Blue

Why it stands out: This is the "supercharged" version of the 15-inch MacBook Air. With 24GB of unified memory and 1TB of storage, it's aimed at demanding users who are pushing into "Pro" territory but still value the thinness and silence of the Air lineup.

The pros:

• 24GB of unified memory to handle the most demanding applications without breaking a sweat.
• 1TB of SSD storage so you never run out of space.
• The six-speaker sound system is incredibly immersive.
• The 1080p FaceTime HD camera with Centre Stage.

Who is it for? Creatives (photographers, videographers), developers, and "prosumers" who want maximum power and storage in the iconic MacBook Air chassis.

See price and details

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD - Sky Blue

Why it stands out: The direct heir to the original vision of the MacBook Air: ultimate portability, with a major performance boost. The 16GB / 512GB configuration makes it a perfectly balanced and future-proof machine, ready to handle the years ahead without skipping a beat.

The pros:

• Ultra-portability taken to the extreme (1.23 kg and 1.13 cm thick).
• Solid performance thanks to the M5 chip (8-core GPU) and its 16GB of RAM.
• Support for two external displays (up to 6K).
• Its iconic and durable recycled aluminium chassis.

Who is it for? Students, journalists, sales professionals... In short, anyone for whom mobility is the number one priority, but who refuses to compromise on everyday performance.

See price and details

Want to Explore Other Options?

The new Sky Blue colour for the MacBook Air M5 is one of this year's most desirable finishes. If this shade has caught your eye, feel free to explore our selection of high-tech products in refreshing colours in our liquid blue category.

MacBook Air M5: Your Questions, Answered

What is the price of the MacBook Air M5 in 2026?

The price of the MacBook Air M5 depends on several factors: screen size (13-inch or 15-inch), the amount of unified memory (RAM), SSD capacity, and the chip configuration (number of GPU cores). To find the exact prices for the configurations we've selected, the easiest way is to check the product links above.

Is the MacBook Air M5 powerful enough for video editing?

Yes, absolutely, for light to moderate video editing. The Apple M5 chip is perfectly capable of handling 4K projects in Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve. However, for very intensive workflows (multitrack editing, heavy effects, long exports), a MacBook Pro will be more comfortable thanks to its active cooling system, which allows it to sustain peak performance over long periods.

What about the keyboard layout?

It's crucial to select the correct keyboard layout for your region. For typing in English, the QWERTY keyboard is the standard and not just an option, but a necessity. It is specifically arranged for the English language, with a layout of symbols we use every day. All computers sold in English-speaking regions are equipped with it to guarantee optimal typing comfort.