M5 MacBook Air Launched With Dual Monitor Support

• Apple just announced the M5 MacBook Air, in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, with pre-orders starting soon.
• The main new thing is the M5 chip, which Apple says is much faster than the M3 and M2.
• Apple says you can now use up to two external monitors, but only if you close the laptop lid, which is a first for the Air.

For years, the MacBook Air was the perfect first Mac. It was thin, fast enough, and didn't cost a fortune. With this new M5 model, Apple's trying to answer one question: what does a pro feature look like when you shrink it down to Air size? If you're still on an Intel Mac or even an M1, this is a big deal. But if you bought an M2 or M3 last year, you're probably wondering if this is really for you.

The M5 Chip: A Straight Shot of Speed

Everything here revolves around Apple's new M5 chip. The company's claims are pretty bold. They say it's up to 1.3 times faster than the M3 in the last Air, and a full 3 times faster than the old M1. That's the kind of jump that makes an old computer feel instantly ancient.

But the bigger story is what's inside. The M5 has a much more advanced Neural Engine. Apple's betting hard that your next computer needs to be an AI machine, and this chip is built for that. Think less time waiting for a photo app to apply a complex filter, or a transcription tool working in real time without needing the internet. It's Apple making sure the simplest laptop in the lineup doesn't get left behind in the AI race.

Look and Feel: What’s New Is What You Can’t See

Pick it up, and you'd swear it's last year's model. Apple didn't change the design. You get the same flat edges, the same notch for the 1080p camera, and the same four colors: Midnight, Starlight, Space Gray, and Silver.

Here's the one tiny win. That slick Midnight finish? It's always been a fingerprint magnet. Apple says it finally fixed that with a new "anodization seal." If you hated wiping smudges off your dark laptop every five minutes, that alone might be a selling point.

The screens are the same great Liquid Retina panels too. The real difference will come when you plug it into something else. That new M5 should handle big external monitors or complex video edits without breaking a sweat, which is where the older Airs sometimes stumbled.

Two Screens, One Big Catch

This is the feature people have begged for. For the first time, a MacBook Air can drive two external displays. But Apple put a giant asterisk next to this one.

It only works with the lid closed. That's a compromise. It turns your Air into a surprisingly powerful desktop brain, but it kills the idea of using the laptop screen as a handy third monitor for your calendar or Slack. If you've always wanted a dual-monitor setup but refused to buy a bulky MacBook Pro, this is your ticket. Just know you're trading the built-in screen for it.

Battery and Ports: The Usual (Great) Story

Apple still promises up to 18 hours of battery life. That number hasn't budged in years, which is actually good news. It means the M5 is using its extra power efficiently, so you get more speed without sacrificing the all-day runtime that makes the Air so useful.

Don't get excited about new ports, because there aren't any. You still get two Thunderbolt ports and MagSafe charging on the 13-inch model (and the same on the 15-inch). Wireless gets a bump to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which is nice for future-proofing but won't change your life today.

Cost, Configs, and When You Can Buy It

Here's where things get real. The 13-inch M5 Air starts at $1,099. The 15-inch model starts at $1,299. Both come with 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, which feels a bit stingy in 2024. You can pump it up to 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage if your wallet is ready.

Pre-orders start soon, and Apple says they'll be available next week.

So, Should You Buy One?

Yes, get the M5 MacBook Air if:

You're using an Intel Mac or even an M1 Air. The difference will be night and day. Your work is starting to push an M1 or M2, especially with AI features or lots of apps open. You've been waiting for an Air that can run two external monitors to clean up your desk.

No, stick with what you have if:

You bought an M2 or M3 Air recently. The speed bump isn't worth the price of a whole new computer. You don't care about dual monitors. You want a deal, the older M3 Air will probably get a price cut and is still a fantastic laptop.

M5 MacBook Air Full Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the design of the M5 MacBook Air new?

No, it looks exactly like the M2 and M3 Air.

Can I use two external displays with the laptop open?

No. Apple is very clear: two screens only work with the lid shut.

Should I upgrade from an M1 MacBook Air?

If you need more speed, better AI, or two monitors, yes. For checking email and web browsing, your M1 is fine.

Does the base model come with 8GB or 16GB of RAM?

It starts at 8GB. You have to pay more for 16GB.

The Bottom Line

This isn't a revolution. It's a precision upgrade. Apple took its best-selling laptop, gave it a big speed boost for the AI era, and finally added the one pro feature everyone asked for (with a frustrating limitation). That makes it an easy buy if you're coming from anything older than an M2. But for everyone else, it proves something more interesting: the MacBook Air is so good now that even a major chip update feels optional. The real pressure isn't on you to upgrade, it's on Apple to find something to improve next year.

Sources

• Apple Newsroom
• TechCrunch
• The Verge
• Bloomberg
• MacRumors