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| Apple MacBook Air 15 and 13 |
In the ever-evolving landscape of premium laptops, Apple’s strategy with the MacBook Air has always been about striking a delicate balance between power and portability. With the release of the new 15-inch MacBook Air equipped with the M5 chip, that balance has arguably reached its peak—at least regarding thermal management. In our extensive testing, this machine earned a stellar rating, primarily because the combination of the powerful M5 silicon and the completely passive cooling solution remains unique in the industry. Simply put, there is no fanless alternative in the Windows camp that can deliver comparable performance figures without resorting to noisy, heat-prone fans. Even Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon ARM processors, despite their efficiency gains, have yet to offer a truly competitive fanless experience in this category.
However, being the best in one area doesn’t make a device perfect. While Apple’s engineering prowess is on full display, there are still several areas where Windows alternatives hold the upper hand. These differences become even more noticeable—and frankly, more frustrating—on the larger and more expensive MacBook Air 15.
The Display Divide: 60 Hz vs. The OLED Revolution
The first point of contention starts with the screen you stare at for hours on end. Apple continues to rely on an IPS panel for the MacBook Air line, which is capped at a 60 Hz refresh rate. To be fair, the resolution is crisp, the P3 color gamut coverage is excellent, and the color accuracy out of the box is very good for creative work. But in 2026, "very good" is starting to feel like a compromise in the 15-inch segment.
Lenovo, for instance, has set a new reference with the ThinkPad X9 15. This device features a 120 Hz OLED screen that delivers breathtaking image quality. The contrast ratios are infinite, and the motion clarity is in a completely different league compared to Apple’s 60 Hz panel. Furthermore, the efficiency of modern OLEDs has improved to the point where long runtimes are no longer a concern. With SDR content, the ThinkPad’s screen hits around 500 nits, but it can punch up to an impressive 1100 nits for HDR content—offering a viewing experience the Air simply cannot match.
Why hasn’t Apple made the jump? We suspect the manufacturer is handcuffed by its own ecosystem strategy. Apple wants to realize a similar display experience across both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air variants. Currently, there just aren’t enough high-quality, high-volume OLED options available in the smaller 13-inch segment—a supply chain issue we also saw plague the new Asus ProArt PX13. Until Apple can secure the same panel technology for its smaller sibling, it seems the 15-inch Air will remain stuck with IPS.
Keyboard Feel: Shallow Travel Meets Stiff Competition
The second aspect where the MacBook Air falls short is the keyboard. While Apple has long since moved past the disastrous butterfly mechanism, the current Magic Keyboard, with its precise keystrokes, still offers a very shallow key travel. For users who type all day, that lack of depth can lead to fatigue.
There are once again Windows laptops that deliver a superior typing experience, even on ultra-slim devices. The same ThinkPad X9 15 we mentioned earlier offers a key travel of 1.35 mm, providing that snappy, satisfying feedback Lenovo is famous for. Even the Asus Zenbook S16, which features a key travel of just 1.1 mm—barely deeper than Apple’s offering—manages to feel superior due to better bottoming-out resistance and key stability. We can only hope that Apple will address this during the next major redesign of the MacBook lineup, because the industry has proven that better keyboards are available without increasing the chassis thickness.
Repairability and Ports: Learning from the MacBook Neo
On a more positive note, repairability is finally gaining a bigger focus within Apple’s ecosystem—though not yet on the Air. With the introduction of the new MacBook Neo, Apple has shown a willingness to change. The MacBook Neo does not use adhesives anywhere internally; all components, from the battery to the modular ports, are simply fixed with screws and can be replaced by repair shops.
We don’t expect replaceable SSDs or memory to return to the MacBook Air lineup—even though smaller, replaceable LPCAMM modules exist—but Apple can certainly make it easier to repair components in the Air’s next iteration. For a detailed breakdown of how Apple is shifting its philosophy, check out our review of the new MacBook Neo, which is a game-changer for serviceability.
The Connectivity Conundrum
Finally, let’s talk about ports. While the MacBook Air 15 offers a MagSafe charging port and two Thunderbolt ports on the left side, the absence of any connectivity on the right side remains a point of friction. It would be nice to see additional USB connectors on the right side for users who prefer to charge or connect peripherals from that angle without cables snaking across the keyboard.
The Verdict
All in all, the MacBook Air 15 with the M5 chip remains a phenomenal machine—especially for users who prioritize silence and raw CPU efficiency. It is the undisputed king of the fanless market. However, there is still quite a bit of potential to improve the MacBook Air, particularly regarding display technology, keyboard depth, and modern repairability standards.
We are already eager to see how upcoming models address these gaps. For a deeper dive into the performance metrics, battery life, and thermal testing of the current generation, please see our comprehensive review of the M5 MacBook Air.