The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Neither the reviewed MacBook Air M5 nor the cited MacBook Pro models are established as touchscreen laptops. The MacBook Air M5’s display does not support touch, and the available specifications do not support describing MacBook Pro as touch-enabled. Choose between them for portability and everyday work versus display quality, built-in connections, external-display support, and sustained performance—not for touch input.
Does the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro have a touchscreen?
The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 reviewed by TechRadar does not support touch. The cited Apple specifications for the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max do not establish touch support either, so the Pro should not be treated as a touchscreen upgrade.
If touching the display is essential, consider an iPad Air or iPad Pro with a compatible keyboard instead. That offers Apple touch input and a keyboard-style workflow, but it runs iPadOS rather than macOS; it is a different device choice, not a MacBook configuration.
Which MacBook features matter most?
The examples below are specific 2026 models, not a configuration-matched comparison: a 15-inch MacBook Air M5 and a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max. Screen size, chip, and some specifications vary across the Air and Pro ranges. Compare the actual configurations you are considering for the same workload.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
| Feature | 15-inch MacBook Air M5 | 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro or M5 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Touch input | No touch support on the reviewed 13-inch Air M5, according to TechRadar; the cited sources do not establish touch for the Pro. | Touch support is not established by the cited specifications. |
| Display | Liquid Retina. Tom’s Guide says its tested 15-inch Air does not support 120Hz ProMotion; its lab measured 454 nits SDR brightness on that model. | Liquid Retina XDR. The higher-end display is one reason to choose Pro; exact specifications vary by model. |
| Workload fit | Well suited to browsing, office work, study, and light creative tasks. | Active cooling can help sustain performance during prolonged demanding work; results depend on chip and workload. |
| Built-in connections | Two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. | Three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, and an SDXC card slot. |
| External displays | Supports up to two external displays. | The cited M5 Pro model supports up to three external displays. Check the exact chip and model for its limit. |
| Battery information | Apple claims up to 18 hours of video streaming or up to 15 hours of wireless web browsing. Tom’s Guide measured 15 hours 37 minutes in continuous Wi-Fi web browsing at 150 nits. | Battery claims differ between M5 Pro and M5 Max; check the specification for the exact configuration. |
| Price | Depends on configuration, region, and availability; there is no universal price comparison established here. | |
When is the Air the better choice?
The Air is the practical fit for routine browser use, office apps, study, and lighter creative work. MacRumors’ March 20, 2026 buyer’s guide describes everyday Air performance as effectively indistinguishable from more expensive models. Tom’s Guide’s buying guide likewise points everyday users toward Air.
The 15-inch Air M5’s battery figures need to be read with their methods attached. Apple’s “up to” figures are manufacturer estimates, not promises for every workload. Tom’s Guide’s 15-hour-37-minute result came from a continuous Wi-Fi web-surfing test with the display set to 150 nits; it is not directly comparable with Apple’s video-streaming estimate. The 454-nit SDR brightness result is also Tom’s Guide’s lab measurement, not Apple’s stated brightness specification. See Apple’s 15-inch MacBook Air M5 specifications and the Tom’s Guide review.
Rank #2
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
When are the Pro’s extras worth it?
Long, demanding workloads
Repeated exports, long renders, and other sustained heavy tasks can make the Pro’s active cooling valuable. The distinction is sustained performance, not a blanket promise that every Pro is faster than every Air: chip choice and the task matter. For typical everyday work, the Air may be the more sensible fit.
Display and connections
The cited 14-inch Pro’s Liquid Retina XDR display and built-in HDMI and SDXC connections may suit people who frequently connect displays, cameras, or other peripherals. The cited 15-inch Air has two Thunderbolt 4 ports; if you need more wired connections, a USB-C or Thunderbolt hub is a conditional option, but no particular hub is assessed here.
Rank #3
- SUPERCHARGED BY M5 — The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. Featuring all-day battery life and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display with up to 1600 nits peak brightness, it’s pro in every way.*
- HAPPILY EVER FASTER — Along with its faster CPU and unified memory, M5 features a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.
- APPS FLY WITH APPLE SILICON — All your favorites, including Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud, run lightning fast in macOS.*
For external displays, use the limit for the exact model and chip rather than assuming every Pro configuration supports the same number. Apple lists support for up to two external displays for the cited 15-inch Air M5 and up to three for the cited 14-inch M5 Pro configuration. Apple’s cited Pro specifications cover M5 Pro and M5 Max; check Apple’s 14-inch MacBook Pro specifications for the configuration you plan to buy.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
Rank #4
- FAST RUNS IN THE FAMILY — The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro or M5 Max chip brings next-generation speed and powerful on-device AI to personal, professional, and creative tasks. With all-day battery life, double the starting storage,* and a breathtaking Liquid Retina XDR display, it’s pro in every way.*
- BUCKLE UP — Along with a next-generation CPU, faster unified memory, and up to 2x faster SSD storage,* M5 Pro and M5 Max feature a more powerful GPU with a Neural Accelerator built into each core, delivering faster AI performance and on-device training capabilities. So you can blaze through demanding workloads at mind-bending speeds.
- BUILT FOR AI — Apple silicon, and every major component that powers it, is designed to run demanding on-device AI workloads like LLM inference and training. And Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Pro delivers the same exceptional performance whether it’s running on battery or plugged in.*
- MACOS RUNS APPS FAST — All your go-to apps run lightning fast in macOS, including built-in apps like FaceTime and Messages. Plus, built-in virus protection and free software updates help keep your Mac running smoothly and securely.
How to choose between them
- Need touch input? Look at an iPad Air or iPad Pro with a compatible keyboard, and make sure iPadOS fits your apps and workflow.
- Mostly everyday tasks? Favor an Air configuration that meets your screen-size, memory, and connection needs.
- Do sustained heavy work? Compare the specific Pro and Air chips for your workload; the Pro’s active cooling may matter during prolonged demanding tasks.
- Rely on built-in ports or multiple external displays? Check the exact model’s ports and display limit before choosing. A hub can be an option if the Air’s connections are insufficient.
- Confirm the exact purchase. Compare like-sized configurations and check current local price and availability; the cited Air and Pro examples differ in screen size and chip tier.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
