Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1)
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is the better laptop on paper: it has more memory, has more storage and is sold new. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Performance
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
Same class of processor, but the Apple MacBook Air 13 has more memory (16 GB against 8 GB).
-
Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 13.6" 2.5K 500 nits against 13.3" 2.5K 400 nits.
-
Battery life
Evenly matched
Similar battery life: up to 18 hours against up to 18 hours.
-
Connectivity
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is better connected. It has newer Wi-Fi 7.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.23 kg and 1.29 kg.
Other differences
- Memory Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 has 16 GB of memory against 8 GB. That's the difference between coping and staying quick with lots of tabs and apps open.
- Storage Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 has twice the storage: 512 GB against 256 GB.
- Condition Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Air 13 is sold new.
- Age Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is the newer model (2026 against 2020).
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 if…
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 512 GB of storage.
- You want a brand-new laptop with a fresh battery: it is sold new.
- You work near windows or outside: its screen is brighter at 500 nits.
- You want a more recent design: it came out in 2026.
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch if…
- You do demanding work: its Apple M1 has the power for photo and video editing.
- You'll carry it around: it weighs just 1.29 kg.
- You need a long battery life: its maker claims up to 18 hours.
Full spec comparison
The Apple MacBook Air 13 leads on performance; elsewhere the two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on performance.
It has more memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | Apple M1 (8-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Apple M1 7-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory type | — | unified memory |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 256 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage slots | 0 | — |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on the screen.
It has a brighter screen, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13.3" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2.5K (2560 x 1600) |
| Aspect ratio | — | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Refresh rate | — | 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 400 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3) |
| HDR | None | None |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | 49.9 Wh |
| Charger | — | 30 W |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 or USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 70 W or higher USB PD power source | — |
| Weight | 1.23 kg | 1.29 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm | 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1-16.1 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Sky Blue | Space Grey |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Gold, Silver, Space Grey |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Wi-Fi 7, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, up to 40Gb/s), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | 2x Thunderbolt 3 / USB4 up to 40Gb/s |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on extras.
It has a sharper webcam, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 720p FaceTime HD |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 ANSI or 79 ISO keys, 12 full-height function keys, ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 function keys; ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing and Multi-Touch gestures | Force Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos | stereo speakers with wide stereo sound and Dolby Atmos playback |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | Touch ID |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on software and updates.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Air 13 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M1) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MDHH4B/A | MGN63B/A |
| Released | 2026 | 2020 |