Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) vs Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, has more memory and lasts longer on a charge. The Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on any spec that matters.
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Key differences
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Performance
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13's Apple M5 is quicker: it has the power for photo and video editing, while the Apple MacBook Neo's Apple A18 Pro stays smooth with lots of apps open.
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Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
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Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 13.6" 2.5K 500 nits against 13" 2K 500 nits.
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Battery life
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 should last longer: up to 18 hours against up to 16 hours.
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Connectivity
Apple MacBook Air 13 wins
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is better connected. Only it has Thunderbolt/USB4.
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Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.23 kg and 1.23 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.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Air 13 if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M5 is the more powerful processor.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 16 GB of memory gives it more room than 8 GB.
- You work away from a plug: it should last longer on a charge (its maker claims up to 18 hours).
- You read, write or edit photos a lot: its 2.5K screen makes text and images crisper.
- You plug things in: it has Thunderbolt or USB4 (for fast docks and drives).
Choose the Apple MacBook Neo if…
- You'll carry it around: it weighs just 1.23 kg.
- You like its design: it covers the same essentials as the Apple MacBook Air 13.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Air 13 leads on performance, battery and weight, the screen and ports and wireless; 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 is faster and has more memory, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M5 | Apple A18 Pro |
| Graphics | Apple M5 8-core GPU | Apple A18 Pro 5-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | — |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | — |
| Storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
| Storage slots | 0 | — |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Air 13 has a slightly bigger screen: 13.6" against 13". It has a sharper screen and has a slightly bigger screen, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13.6" | 13" |
| Resolution | 2.5K (2560 x 1664) | 2K (2408 x 1506) |
| Aspect ratio | — | 16:10 |
| Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 500 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | sRGB; 1 billion colours |
| HDR | None | None |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on battery and weight.
It lasts longer on a charge, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 18 hours | Up to 16 hours |
| Battery capacity | 53.8 Wh | 36.5 Wh |
| 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 | 1.23 kg |
| Dimensions | 304.1 x 215 x 11.3 mm | 297.5 x 206.4 x 12.7 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | aluminium |
| Colour | Sky Blue | Indigo |
| Colours available | Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, Midnight | Silver, Blush, Citrus, Indigo |
Ports and wireless
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on ports and wireless.
It has Thunderbolt or USB4 and has Wi-Fi 7, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1x USB-C USB 3 up to 10Gb/s (charging, DisplayPort 1.4), 1x USB-C USB 2 up to 480Mb/s (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps | None |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 1 |
| Card reader | None | None |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Wi-Fi card | Apple N1 | — |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 6 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Apple MacBook Air 13 is ahead on extras.
It has a backlit keyboard, and the Apple MacBook Neo doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 1080p | 1080p FaceTime HD |
| Webcam privacy | — | None |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | No |
| Keyboard | backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 ANSI or 79 ISO keys, 12 full-height function keys, ambient light sensor | Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, 78 (ANSI) or 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad with pressure sensing and Multi-Touch gestures | Multi-Touch trackpad |
| Speakers | four-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos | Dual-speaker system, Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | three-mic array with directional beamforming | Dual-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | — |
| Security | Touch ID | — |
Software and model
Both run macOS.
So the same apps work on both, and they get the same kind of updates.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Air 13 (M5) | Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Model number | MDHH4B/A | MHFG4B/A |
| Released | 2026 | 2026 |