Apple’s researched 2025 MacBook updates are the M4 MacBook Air in 13- and 15-inch sizes and the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5. The Air emphasizes a thin, fanless design and everyday portability; the Pro adds an XDR display, M5 performance features, more storage capacity, and a broader port selection. Apple’s launch announcements listed U.S. starting prices of $999 for Air and $1,599 for Pro, but those are launch prices—not verified current offers.
Which MacBooks were updated in 2025?
The two releases covered here are not a complete inventory of every MacBook configuration sold during 2025. Apple announced the MacBook Air with M4 on March 5, 2025, in 13- and 15-inch sizes, followed by the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 on October 15. Apple announced availability for March 12 for the Air and October 22 for the Pro.
The different designs reflect different priorities: the Air is thinner and fanless, while the Pro pairs its M5 chip with a Liquid Retina XDR display and pro-oriented features. See Apple’s M4 MacBook Air announcement and M5 MacBook Pro announcement.
How do the M4 Air and M5 Pro compare?
| Feature | MacBook Air with M4 | 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | March 5, 2025; 13- and 15-inch models | October 15, 2025; 14-inch model |
| U.S. launch starting price | $999; Apple also listed a $899 education price | $1,599 |
| Display | 13.6- or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, up to 500 nits and one billion colors | Liquid Retina XDR; optional nano-texture finish |
| Chip and memory | M4 with 10-core CPU and GPU options up to 10 cores; 16GB unified memory standard, configurable up to 32GB | M5; memory configuration not stated in the announcement details summarized here |
| Battery claim | Up to 18 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| External displays | Up to two in addition to the built-in screen | Not stated in the announcement details summarized here |
| Ports and connectivity | Two Thunderbolt ports, MagSafe, 3.5mm headphone jack; Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 | Broad port set; exact port details are not stated in the announcement details summarized here |
| Other listed features | 12MP Center Stage camera; fanless design less than half an inch thin | 12MP Center Stage camera, six-speaker audio system, storage configurations up to 4TB, faster SSD performance |
Prices above are the U.S. launch prices in Apple’s announcements, not current retailer prices. Apple’s battery figures are maximum claims; actual runtime varies by use and configuration.
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#1 Best Overall
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
What changed with the M4 MacBook Air?
Two screen sizes and a light, fanless design
The M4 Air comes in 13- and 15-inch versions, with 13.6- and 15.3-inch displays respectively. Both use a Liquid Retina panel rated by Apple at up to 500 nits and supporting one billion colors. Apple describes the Air as fanless and less than half an inch thin, making it the more portability-focused choice in this pair.
Memory, displays, and connectivity
Apple lists 16GB of unified memory at the starting configuration, with options up to 32GB. The Air can connect to up to two external displays in addition to its built-in display, which may suit a desk setup without moving to the Pro. Its listed connections include two Thunderbolt ports, MagSafe charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Rank #2
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
How to interpret Apple’s Air performance claims
Apple said the M4 Air is up to 2x faster than the M1 model and up to 23x faster than the fastest Intel-based MacBook Air. For specific workloads, Apple claimed Excel calculations up to 4.7x faster and iMovie video editing up to 8x faster than that fastest Intel Air. These are Apple’s test claims, not independent benchmarks; the comparison model and workload matter, and “up to” figures should not be treated as a guarantee for every task.
What does the M5 MacBook Pro add?
XDR display and pro-oriented hardware
The 14-inch Pro has a Liquid Retina XDR display, with an optional nano-texture finish. Apple also lists storage configurations up to 4TB, faster SSD performance, a six-speaker audio system, a 12MP Center Stage camera, and a broad selection of ports. Those features may matter more than thinness if your work benefits from the display, greater storage capacity, or more built-in connections.
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Rank #3
- BUILT FOR COLLEGE. AND BEYOND — MacBook Air with the M5 chip packs blazing speed and powerful AI capabilities into an incredibly portable design. And with up to 18 hours of battery life,* this thin and light powerhouse is ready to take on almost any major, just about anywhere.
- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
M5 performance claims
Apple says the M5 GPU includes a Neural Accelerator in each core. In its announcement, Apple reported up to 3.5x faster AI performance than M4, up to 1.6x faster graphics than the prior generation, and up to 20 percent faster multithreaded CPU performance versus M4. Apple’s performance testing was conducted in September 2025 and its figures depend on specified comparison configurations and workloads; they are company-reported results, not independent benchmarks.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which 2025 MacBook should you choose?
Choose the Air if portability and everyday use lead
- Pick the 13-inch Air if minimizing laptop size matters most; choose the 15-inch Air if you want more built-in screen workspace while keeping the Air’s fanless design.
- Consider the Air for everyday work and a desk setup requiring up to two external displays, provided its two Thunderbolt ports meet your connection needs.
- Its lower U.S. launch starting price makes it the less expensive entry point in Apple’s announcements, though current pricing has not been established here.
Choose the Pro if its display and hardware better fit your work
- The Pro is the relevant option if you specifically need a Liquid Retina XDR display or want the optional nano-texture finish.
- Its listed storage configurations reach 4TB, and its broader port set may better suit a setup with multiple connected devices.
- For demanding graphics, AI, or multithreaded workloads, the M5’s capabilities are relevant, but Apple’s multipliers alone do not establish how much faster it will be for your particular apps.
In short, the choice is less about one chip being universally better and more about whether the Air’s size options and fanless portability cover your needs or the Pro’s display and hardware features justify its higher launch starting price.
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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.
