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Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) vs Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1)

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) ($1,499) vs Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1) ($350) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right ultraportable laptop.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)
Apple
MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)
$1,499
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Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1)
Apple
MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1)
$350
Check Price →
Spec-by-spec
SpecApple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1)
Price$1,499$350
Weight1510g1400g
ChipM5 (up to 10-core CPU / 10-core GPU)M1
Display15.3" Liquid Retina, 500 nits13.3" Retina
BatteryUp to 18 hours—
CoolingFanlessActive fan
AudioSix speakers, force-cancelling woofers—
Weight1.51 kg (3.3 lb)1400g (Apple published)
Ports—2x Thunderbolt, headphone
Extras—Touch Bar, Touch ID
Pros & Cons

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5)

  • Real two-window workspace, still fanless
  • Six-speaker audio beats most laptops outright
  • Same 18-hour battery as the 13-inch
  • Lightest 15-inch laptop worth owning
  • 280 g heavier than the 13-inch
  • $200 premium for screen area alone
  • Still only two Thunderbolt ports

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1)

  • Sustains performance under long workloads
  • Longest battery life of the M1 generation
  • Touch ID
  • 1400g for a 13.3-inch machine
  • Only two ports, no MagSafe
  • Touch Bar
  • Old design with thick bezels
Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch (M1) is the better value at $350. Both are part of our curated ultraportable laptop index — tap through to check current pricing.
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