Stuff We Want: MacBook Air 13" M5, the Smart Skip on the Touchscreen MacBook Pro
Apple's new touchscreen MacBook Pro is the loudest thing on X this week. Most people still want the Air. Here's how to tell which one you are.
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Posts about the MacBook Pro on X jumped to almost 20,000 on launch day, October 28, up from roughly 600 to 1,100 a day the week before. Apple's new 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro has a touch screen and an OLED display, runs on M5 Pro or M5 Max, and starts shipping November 6.
It's also the most expensive way to get a new Mac laptop this fall, and one of the most-viewed questions on X right now is some version of "Air or Pro?" Fair question. Here's the honest answer.
The case for the MacBook Air 13" M5: it's the thin, light one. you get the M5 chip, 16GB of unified memory, a 512GB SSD, a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, up to 18 hours of battery life, a 12MP Center Stage camera, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Ports are two Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe and a headphone jack, and it drives up to two external displays. It's shipped and sold by Amazon, with 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 1,300 ratings, and it's under Apple's list price on Amazon today.
That covers email, school, writing, browsing, photo edits, spreadsheets, calls and a frankly irresponsible number of tabs.
The case for the touchscreen MacBook Pro: you actually want to touch your laptop, you want the OLED screen, or your work leans on the M5 Pro or M5 Max: long video exports, 3D, big code builds, heavy pro apps all day. If that's you, the Pro earns its spot. Just know it isn't on shelves until November 6.
One more thing about that touch screen. Smudge complaints on X jumped from under 20 a day to about 300 after launch. If you go Pro, our WHOOSH! Screen Shine Duo pick is the fix. If you go Air, you'll smudge it less, but it'll still happen.
Running it closed next to a monitor most days? The Twelve South BookArc holds it upright. And if you're stuck on the same new-or-last-model question with a tablet, see our iPad mini comparison.
Who it's for
- Students and everyday laptop people who want light, quiet and long battery life.
- Anyone who doesn't need a touch screen and never thought about it until this week.
- Desk setups with one or two external monitors.
Who should skip it
- You want touch or OLED. The Air has neither; that's the new Pro.
- Your work is heavy pro editing or 3D all day. That's what M5 Pro and M5 Max are for.
FAQ
Does the MacBook Air M5 have a touch screen?
No. It has a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. Touch is on the new MacBook Pro.
How many external displays does the Air support?
Up to two.
What's the battery life?
Up to 18 hours.
Which configuration is this?
M5 chip, 16GB unified memory, 512GB SSD, Silver. Other colors are on the same page.
The verdict
The verdict: hand-picked for touchscreen MacBook week. The Pro is the show. For most people, the Air is the laptop.
#ad. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hand-picked by The Deez List.
