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The best MacBook Air for most people is the base 13-inch model with the M5 chip, 16GB unified memory and 512GB SSD storage. It starts at £1,099 from Apple in the UK. Choose the 15-inch version from £1,299 if you value a larger screen more than maximum portability.
Apple’s current generation is the M5 MacBook Air, available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes. Both models have the same stated maximum battery life, the same starting memory and storage, and support up to two external displays. The main buying decision is therefore size first, followed by memory and storage.
These are the strongest buying options from the current M5 range. The recommendations match each configuration to a particular type of buyer, using Apple’s UK pricing and published specifications.
| MacBook Air pick | Price | Best for | Why choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-inch M5, 16GB, 512GB | From £1,099 | Most buyers and students | Lowest Apple starting price and the lightest current Air |
| 15-inch M5, 16GB, 512GB | From £1,299 | Large-screen everyday use | 15.3-inch display with the same stated battery claims as the 13-inch |
| 13-inch M5 at Currys | £1,299 | Buying from Currys | 16GB memory and 512GB SSD in the listed configuration |
| 13-inch M5 at John Lewis | £1,299 | Buyers valuing a longer guarantee | Three-year guarantee included in the listing |
| 15-inch M5, 24GB, 512GB | £1,499 | Heavier multitasking | More unified memory while retaining the larger display |
| 15-inch M5, 32GB, 512GB | £1,699 | Demanding professional workloads | Maximum available memory in the listed 15-inch configurations |
Apple’s UK buying page lists the 13-inch M5 from £1,099 and the 15-inch M5 from £1,299. For browsing, office work, video calls, study and everyday creative tasks, the 13-inch base configuration is the sensible starting point. Pay for the 15-inch screen when it will improve your daily work, not simply because the model is larger.
Choose the 13-inch MacBook Air for easier carrying, and choose the 15-inch MacBook Air for more room to work. The larger model does not offer a longer claimed battery life: Apple gives both sizes up to 18 hours of video streaming and up to 15 hours of wireless web use.
| Specification | 13-inch M5 | 15-inch M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina, 2560×1664, 500 nits | 15.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2880×1864, 500 nits |
| Width × depth × thickness | 30.41 × 21.5 × 1.13cm | 34.04 × 23.76 × 1.15cm |
| Weight | 1.23kg | 1.51kg |
| Starting memory and storage | 16GB, 512GB SSD | 16GB, 512GB SSD |
| Maximum claimed battery life | Up to 18 hours video; up to 15 hours web | Up to 18 hours video; up to 15 hours web |
The 13-inch dimensions make it the better choice for commuting, travel and working in small spaces. At 1.23kg, it is 0.28kg lighter than the 15-inch model. The 15-inch version is more comfortable for split-screen documents, timelines, spreadsheets and creative applications, although it remains portable enough for regular movement between rooms or offices.
Screen size is the clearest difference between the two. The 15-inch display has a higher stated resolution, while both screens have 500-nit brightness. If you normally connect to an external monitor, the 13-inch model gives you the lower starting price and smaller footprint. Both current sizes support up to two external displays.
The base M5 configuration already includes 16GB unified memory and a 512GB SSD. Unified memory is shared by the processor and graphics system, so it is best treated as part of the computer’s long-term working capacity rather than a component that can be casually upgraded later.
Apple offers the M5 MacBook Air with 24GB or 32GB of unified memory and up to 4TB of SSD storage. The base 512GB capacity is suitable for people who keep most photos, documents and media in cloud storage or on external drives. Choose more storage if your files, applications or creative projects need to remain on the laptop.
The current Air has two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a MagSafe 3 charging port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also includes a 12MP Centre Stage camera with 1080p video recording, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. These features make it well equipped for calls and modern wireless accessories, but two USB-C ports may feel restrictive if you use several wired devices at once.
The current Apple UK starting prices are £1,099 for 13 inches and £1,299 for 15 inches. Apple’s education pricing starts at £999 for the 13-inch model and £1,199 for the 15-inch model. Check eligibility and the final configuration before relying on education pricing.
At the time of checking, Currys lists the 13.6-inch M5 MacBook Air with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD at £1,299. Currys states that this listing does not include a laptop charger; the box contains the MacBook Air and a USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable.
John Lewis lists its 13.6-inch M5 configuration at £1,299, with 16GB memory and 512GB storage. The listing includes a three-year guarantee and gives delivery from 16 September 2026. Apple’s 13-inch starting price is lower at £1,099, while the Currys and John Lewis listings have the same stated memory and storage but different retailer terms and box contents. Prices and availability can change, so compare the exact product, condition, guarantee and included accessories at purchase.
An older MacBook Air can be a good buy when its price is substantially below the current M5 equivalent and its condition is clear. The model name alone does not establish good value, particularly when older machines may be sold as new, refurbished, used or clearance stock.
The M5 generation was announced by Apple on 4 March 2026 and became available in the UK from 11 March 2026. That makes it the current generation to use as your price and specification reference. An M1, M2, M3 or M4 should be judged against that reference rather than against its original launch price.
Before paying for an older model, use this checklist:
Choose MacBook Air for a thin, portable everyday laptop; consider MacBook Pro when your work genuinely requires a separate higher-end Mac range. Apple lists MacBook Neo, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro as separate product families, so “normal MacBook” is not a precise current model name.
The Air is available in two sizes and gives buyers a straightforward choice between portability and screen space. A Pro should enter the comparison when your workload, software requirements or sustained professional use justify moving beyond the Air range. Do not choose it simply because it has a higher product position: first establish whether the Air’s 16GB starting memory, 512GB storage, external-display support and battery claims meet your work pattern.
The main disadvantage is connectivity: the current MacBook Air has only two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, alongside MagSafe and a headphone jack. If you regularly attach several wired peripherals, a hub or dock may be necessary.
The Air also has a fixed built-in screen, so the 13-inch and 15-inch choice matters if you do not plan to use an external monitor. The 15-inch model provides more room for split-screen work but is heavier and more expensive than the 13-inch version.
Yes, if you want a current Apple laptop with the M5 chip, 16GB starting memory, 512GB starting storage, long claimed battery life and support for up to two external displays. The 13-inch model starts at £1,099 and the 15-inch model at £1,299 in the UK.
The current model has two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, so users with several wired accessories may need a hub or dock. The 13-inch screen is less spacious for split-screen work, while the 15-inch version weighs more and costs more.
For most buyers, start with the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air with 16GB memory and 512GB storage. It has the lowest Apple starting price at £1,099. Choose the 15-inch M5 from £1,299 if the larger display is important, or move to 24GB or 32GB memory for heavier workloads.
“Normal MacBook” is not a precise current product name. Apple’s UK range separates MacBook Neo, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air is the thin-and-portable range available in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, while MacBook Pro is a separate higher-end family. Compare the exact specifications and prices rather than treating “MacBook” as one standard model.
Yes. The current M5 MacBook Air is available in both sizes. The 13-inch model has a 13.6-inch display and weighs 1.23kg; the 15-inch model has a 15.3-inch display and weighs 1.51kg.
The base 16GB memory and 512GB SSD configuration is the right starting point for general use. Consider 24GB or 32GB memory for demanding multitasking, and choose more than 512GB storage when you need to keep large files and applications on the laptop rather than in cloud storage or on external drives.
