Apple unveiled on March 3, 2026, its new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro equipped with the M5 chip. These machines place artificial intelligence at the center of their value proposition, breaking with previous generations focused on raw power.
The M5 Chip: A Redesigned Architecture for AI
The Apple M5 chip is based on a third-generation 3-nanometer manufacturing technology. Its 10-core CPU (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) boasts 15% higher multi-core performance than the M4, while the 10-core GPU improves by 30%, according to data published by MacRumors. Memory bandwidth reaches 153 GB/s, an improvement of about 28% compared to the previous generation.
The real breakthrough lies in AI processing. Apple has integrated a neural accelerator into each GPU core, allowing the M5 chip to execute artificial intelligence tasks four times faster than the M4 and 9.5 times faster than the M1, according to technical data published by TechNetBooks. This positioning directly targets AI agent uses, local image generation, and language model processing without relying on the cloud, a strategic focus for Apple in the face of Intel and Qualcomm competition in the AI PC segment.
MacBook Air M5: Enhanced Battery Life, Doubled Storage
The MacBook Air is the machine that brings the most tangible change for the general public. Its base storage increases to 512 GB, from 256 GB in the previous generation, at no extra cost. The battery now lasts 18 hours, six hours longer than Apple’s last Intel models from 2020. A significant improvement for a fanless device, whose thermal management remains entirely passive.
In terms of connectivity, the device retains two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The front camera is upgraded to 12 megapixels with Center Stage technology, and the audio system supports Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. Wi-Fi 7 also makes its debut, offering a theoretical throughput nearly double that of Wi-Fi 6E, according to TechCabal. Four colors are available: sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
MacBook Air M5 Pricing
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MacBook Air 13-inch: starting at $1,099
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MacBook Air 15-inch: starting at $1,299
MacBook Pro M5 Pro and M5 Max: Maximum Power for Creatives and Developers
The MacBook Pro models feature the high-end variants: the M5 Pro and M5 Max. The M5 Pro has a CPU of up to 14 cores (10 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) and a GPU of up to 20 cores. It offers a 25% performance gain over the M4 Pro, with memory bandwidth reaching 250 GB/s and up to 48 GB of unified memory, according to TechCabal. The M5 Max pushes the architecture even further with up to 18 CPU cores, independently configurable thanks to the new « Fusion Architecture. »
For developers working with AI models, the figures published by Apple are significant. LLM prompt processing is four times faster than with the M4 Pro and M4 Max. AI image generation is eight times faster than with the M1 Pro and M1 Max. Read/write speeds also double compared to the latest generation, which concretely improves workflows in video editing, music production, and 3D rendering.
These machines introduce Thunderbolt 5 to the MacBook Pro for the first time, a six-speaker audio system, and offer up to 24 hours of claimed battery life. A 96W or higher USB-C charger allows for 50% battery recovery in 30 minutes.
MacBook Pro M5 Pricing
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MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 Pro: starting at $2,199
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MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro: starting at $2,699
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MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 Max: starting at $3,599
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MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Max: starting at $3,899
The Pro models are available in space black or silver.
Availability: Pre-orders Open March 4
Pre-orders for the entire new lineup have been open since March 4, 2026, the day after the official announcement. Deliveries will begin on March 11, 2026. Apple has not provided specific pricing for European markets at the time of this article’s publication. Prices in euros typically take into account the exchange rate, local taxes, and the pricing policy specific to each region.
These dates fall within Apple’s usual calendar, which typically releases its new machines within a week of their announcement. For users still equipped with M1 or M2 models, the cumulative gain in CPU performance, battery life, and AI capability clearly justifies an upgrade. Those already on M4 will need to weigh the benefits based on their actual usage. Independent tests, expected in the days following March 11, will help measure concrete performance under real-world conditions.