Apple Unveils New MacBook Air with M5 Chip, Enhanced Storage, and Increased Price

Apple has announced updates to its MacBook lineup, including the introduction of the M5 chip in the new MacBook Air models. The updated MacBook Air now starts at $1,099, a $100 increase from the previous starting price of $999 for the 13-inch model. The 15-inch model also sees a price increase, now starting at $1,299, up from $1,199.

The new MacBook Airs come with significant upgrades, most notably in storage capacity. The base storage has been doubled from 256GB to 512GB, and Apple claims that the storage speed is twice as fast as that of the previous M4 MacBook Air. This storage upgrade, however, contributes to the increased starting price. For consumers who prioritize cost over specifications, this price hike may be seen as a disadvantage, though it aligns with the price of the previous 512GB model.

Apple is offering two versions of the M5 chip in the new MacBook Airs. One version features 8 GPU cores, while the other includes all 10 GPU cores. Opting for the fully enabled 10-core version requires an additional $100. This version is also necessary for those looking to upgrade to higher RAM options of 24GB or 32GB, or to expand storage to 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB. The M5 chip includes four high-performance 'super cores' and six efficiency cores.

Additional internal upgrades include the Apple N1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. The new MacBook Airs will be available for preorder starting March 4, with availability beginning March 11.

This announcement is part of a series of product updates from Apple, leading up to a 'special experience' event. Other announcements include the new iPhone 17e, an updated iPad Air with an M4 chip and more RAM, new MacBook Pros, and updated Studio Displays.

The increased starting price of the MacBook Air may also pave the way for a rumored lower-cost MacBook, which could be announced soon. If Apple plans to introduce this budget-friendly option, an announcement is expected imminently.