It has happened: 512GB storage is becoming the default. Apple has introduced a new version of its lightweight laptop, the MacBook Air, powered by its latest M5 chip and featuring increased base storage, updated wireless connectivity and expanded artificial intelligence capabilities.
The updated model will be available in 13-inch and 15-inch variants, with pre-orders currently on and general availability beginning March 11.
At the core of the new MacBook Air is Apple’s M5 system-on-chip. The company says the processor includes a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, along with what it describes as a Neural Accelerator embedded within each core to improve AI-related workloads.
Apple claims the M5 brings notable gains over previous generations. According to company benchmarks, AI tasks are up to four times faster than on the M4 version and up to 9.5 times faster than models powered by the M1 chip.
The M5 also introduces enhanced shader cores and a third-generation ray-tracing engine aimed at improving graphics-intensive applications such as gaming and 3D design. Unified memory bandwidth rises to 153GB/s, a 28 per cent increase over the previous generation, which Apple says should translate to smoother multitasking and faster app launches.
In web browsing tests, Apple states that the new MacBook Air performs up to 50 per cent faster than a PC laptop powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor, with more demanding tasks seeing up to twice the performance.
For the first time, the MacBook Air now starts with 512GB of storage as standard — double the base capacity offered previously. It can be configured with up to 4TB of storage. Apple also says the updated SSD delivers up to twice the read and write speeds of the prior generation.
On the connectivity front, the laptop introduces Apple’s new N1 wireless chip, enabling support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. The machine retains two Thunderbolt 4 ports and MagSafe charging, and supports up to two external displays.
The new MacBook Air maintains its thin, fanless aluminium design and is available in four colours: sky blue, midnight, starlight and silver.
Display options include a 13.6-inch or 15.3-inch Liquid Retina screen with up to 500 nits of brightness and support for one billion colours. Apple continues to position the larger model as an option for users who require more screen real estate for multitasking.
Battery life is rated at up to 18 hours, which Apple says is up to six hours longer than Intel-based MacBook Air models. Fast charging is also supported.
Needless to say, there is Apple Intelligence, across system apps and features. .
The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at ₹119,900 and ₹108,900 for education, and the 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at ₹144,900 and ₹133,900 for education. Both are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.
Mathures Paul
