Apple has announced a new MacBook Air with M5, and the change most buyers may notice first is the storage allowance. The entry configuration now has a 512GB SSD, twice the starting capacity of the previous generation. Apple is also adding Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 through its N1 wireless chip.
The announcement, dated 3 March, covers both 13-inch and 15-inch models. Pre-orders open on 4 March, with availability beginning on 11 March. The colour options are sky blue, midnight, starlight and silver.
More room before an upgrade
A larger base SSD leaves more space for applications, downloaded files and a local photo library before a buyer needs to pay for a storage upgrade. Apple says the Air can now be configured with up to 4TB, although the value of that option depends on the price of the complete configuration.
Storage and memory still need separate consideration. Extra SSD capacity provides room for files; it does not resolve an application workload that needs more working memory. A sensible comparison starts with the applications you run together and the amount of local storage you already use, then checks the price of a machine configured for both.
Apple also claims faster SSD read and write performance. Those figures come from the company’s testing, so they should be treated as launch claims until there is independent evidence from comparable workloads.
The connections matter too
The new Air retains two Thunderbolt 4 ports and supports up to two external displays. For someone using a desk monitor at home and carrying the laptop to work, that specification can matter more than a headline performance multiplier. Check the displays, dock and cables you intend to use before ordering.
Wi-Fi 7 support also needs a compatible network to deliver its full benefits. Replacing a laptop alone does not upgrade a home’s router or internet connection. Bluetooth 6 is another hardware change, but existing accessories should be assessed on their own compatibility requirements.
Apple describes the M5 as having a 10-core CPU and a GPU with up to 10 cores. The company is promoting improvements in local AI workloads, creative applications and graphics. These are useful areas to examine in a review, rather than evidence that every everyday task will feel dramatically faster.
For Australian buyers, the next step is to compare local configurations and delivery dates, including any display adapters or storage upgrades. A computer that already handles your work comfortably does not become inadequate because a new chip has arrived. The stronger reason to replace it is a specific limitation the new configuration will address.
More hardware coverage is in Computing.
Source: Apple Newsroom, “Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M5”, 3 March 2026. Product image: Apple.
