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| Apple's latest M5-powered MacBook Air has been discounted on Amazon |
Just weeks after Apple officially unveiled its next‑generation MacBook Air lineup, Amazon has quietly slashed prices on both the 13‑inch and 15‑inch M5 models. The timing couldn’t be better for anyone who’s been waiting to upgrade – but if you’re not careful, you might miss the window entirely.
Right now, the 13‑inch MacBook Air M5 is down to $949.99 (that’s $150 off its regular $1,099 price), and the 15‑inch version is available for $1,149.99 instead of $1,299. Amazon hasn’t announced an official expiration date for the promotion, so it’s very much a “while supplies last” situation. If you’ve had your eye on Apple’s thinnest, lightest laptop, check the latest deal on the 13‑inch model here or grab the 15‑inch at this discounted price before the promotion disappears.
What’s New Inside the M5 MacBook Air?
Apple’s move to the M5 chip isn’t just a spec bump – it’s a meaningful leap forward, especially for a fanless laptop. Both the 13.6‑inch and 15.3‑inch Airs now start with 512 GB of SSD storage and 16 GB of RAM as standard. That’s a long‑overdue upgrade from the previous 256 GB / 8 GB base configuration, and it makes the entry‑level model genuinely usable for multitasking, light video editing, or running local AI tools.
The display remains a 16:10 IPS LCD panel with a 60 Hz refresh rate – nothing revolutionary, but still sharp, color‑accurate, and plenty bright for indoor and outdoor use. The 13‑inch model packs that into a 13.6‑inch screen, while the 15‑inch version gives you a roomier 15.3‑inch canvas with the same excellent quality.
Connectivity is still a mixed bag. You get two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe 3 charging port, and a headphone jack. That’s it. For many users, two ports are enough – but if you regularly plug in an external monitor, storage drive, and power all at once, you’ll want a USB‑C hub. On the plus side, Apple finally added Wi‑Fi 7 support, which future‑proofs the Air for faster, more reliable wireless networks as they roll out over the next couple of years.
Performance, Battery Life, and the Fanless Magic
I’ve been testing both the 13‑inch and 15‑inch M5 Airs for the past two weeks, and the biggest takeaway is how consistent the performance feels – even without a fan. The M5 chip handles everyday tasks (dozens of Chrome tabs, Slack, Zoom, Spotify) without breaking a sweat. It can even run light creative workloads like 4K video timeline scrubbing in DaVinci Resolve or layer‑heavy Photoshop files, though sustained rendering will eventually throttle. That’s the trade‑off for a completely silent, cool‑to‑the‑touch laptop.
Battery life is outstanding. Apple claims up to 18 hours of video playback, and in real‑world mixed use (browsing, streaming, document work), I consistently got a full workday plus some evening Netflix without reaching for the charger. The 15‑inch model lasts about an hour longer thanks to its larger chassis accommodating a slightly bigger battery.
Speakers are another highlight. Both models feature a four‑speaker sound system with force‑cancelling woofers, and they genuinely sound rich and spacious – easily the best audio you’ll find in a laptop this thin. The 15‑inch has a bit more bass presence, but even the 13‑inch is impressive.
Where the M5 Air Still Falls Short
No laptop is perfect, and the new MacBook Air has a few recurring frustrations. The 720p FaceTime camera remains mediocre – it’s fine for well‑lit conference calls, but in low light, it gets grainy and soft. Apple leans on computational video enhancements (Center Stage, Studio Light) to compensate, but a 1080p sensor would have been much appreciated.
Upgradability is also non‑existent. The RAM and SSD are soldered to the motherboard, so you have to choose your configuration upfront. That’s typical for ultraportables, but it’s worth repeating: if you think you might need 24 GB of RAM or a 1 TB SSD three years from now, buy it now. You can’t add it later.
Finally, the 60 Hz display feels dated compared to the 120 Hz ProMotion screens on MacBook Pros. Most casual users won’t notice, but if you’re used to a high‑refresh‑rate phone or tablet, scrolling websites and documents can feel slightly less fluid.
Should You Buy One Right Now?
If you’re coming from an M1 or Intel‑based MacBook Air, the M5 model is a massive upgrade – faster CPU/GPU, double the base storage and memory, Wi‑Fi 7, and better battery life. If you already own an M2 or M3 Air, the jump is smaller; you’d mainly benefit from the extra RAM and storage at the base price.
For a deeper look, I highly recommend reading our full, hands‑on reviews. The 13‑inch MacBook Air M5 in‑depth review covers thermal performance under load and real‑world battery tests, while the 15‑inch MacBook Air M5 detailed review focuses on how the larger screen and chassis affect portability and speaker quality.
At $150 off, the current Amazon pricing brings the 13‑inch M5 Air down to $949.99 – that’s only $50 more than what the previous base model (with half the storage and RAM) used to cost on a good sale. The 15‑inch at $1,149.99 is an even better value if you want more screen real estate without jumping up to a heavy Pro model.
Bottom Line
Amazon’s discount won’t last forever – these promotions rarely do once initial stock starts moving. Whether you need a reliable workhorse for school, a travel‑friendly laptop for remote work, or simply a beautifully built machine that lasts all day, the M5 MacBook Air is hard to beat at these prices.
👉 Don’t wait too long. Shop the 13‑inch M5 MacBook Air deal or get the 15‑inch M5 Air while it’s $150 off. And if you’re still on the fence, those full reviews linked above will help you decide which size fits your life best.