MacBook Air M5 vs M4 | Is the New Chip Worth Paying More For?
If you need a MacBook Air right now and you primarily browse the web, write documents, join video calls, and do light creative work, the MacBook Air M4 is still a brilliant machine and excellent value at its current price point in New Zealand. The M5 does not suddenly make it obsolete.
If you are buying fresh with no budget pressure, intend to keep the laptop for five years or more, use AI-heavy creative tools regularly, or want 512GB of storage as standard, the MacBook Air M5 is the smarter long-term purchase. The extra NZ$200 buys you meaningfully more headroom
| The honest summary: The M5 is a genuine step forward, not just a marketing badge. But the M4 was already exceptional. The right answer depends almost entirely on your workflow, your budget, and how long you plan to keep the laptop. Both are backed by Apple silicon efficiency, all-day battery life, and the fanless design that makes MacBook Air such a joy to use. |
NEW ZEALAND PRICES
What Do They Cost in NZ?
Pricing in New Zealand reflects the ‘Kiwi tax’ that Apple buyers here know all too well. Here is where things sit for the 13-inch models, which represent the most popular configuration:
| MACBOOK AIR M5 (2026)
NZ$2,199 13-inch, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD — inc. GST 15-inch from NZ$2,599 | Education: from NZ$1,999 |
MACBOOK AIR M4 (2025)
NZ$1,999 13-inch, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD — inc. GST Now Apple’s entry-level option | Education pricing available |
The NZ$200 gap between the base models is worth thinking about carefully because the M5 ships with 512GB of storage as standard, double the M4’s base 256GB. When the M4 launched, upgrading from 256GB to 512GB cost an additional NZ$200 on its own. In terms of storage-adjusted value, the M5 is effectively the same price as a comparably configured M4 would have been at launch.
That said, if 256GB is genuinely enough for your workflow (documents, cloud-synced files, a few apps), the base M4 at NZ$1,999 remains an excellent deal.
THE REAL DIFFERENCES
What Actually Changed Between M4 and M5?
Apple has not redesigned the MacBook Air for M5. The chassis, the display, the port selection, the keyboard, the trackpad, and the colour options are all identical. If you put an M5 and M4 Air side by side, you cannot tell them apart by looking. The changes are all on the inside — and they are meaningful even if not revolutionary.
1. The M5 Chip Is Faster, Particularly for AI and GPU Tasks
The M5 chip offers around 15% faster CPU performance and 30% faster GPU performance compared to M4. For most day-to-day tasks, you will not notice this. Where the difference shows up is in sustained workloads: video exports, 3D rendering, large batch photo processing, and on-device AI tasks.
The bigger story is AI performance. The M5 introduces a Neural Accelerator built into every GPU core, which Apple says delivers up to 4x faster AI task performance than M4. For AI-powered features in creative apps (Topaz Video AI, Affinity Photo, local large language models), the improvement is substantial in benchmarks.
2. Memory Bandwidth Is 28% Higher
The M5 delivers 153GB/s of memory bandwidth, up from 120GB/s on M4. Higher bandwidth means smoother handling of heavy workloads, more fluid multitasking when you have dozens of tabs and apps open, and better performance in GPU-heavy creative tools — even at the same 16GB RAM configuration.
3. Storage Is Doubled and Faster
The M5 Air ships with 512GB as the base configuration using a next-generation SSD that delivers roughly twice the read and write speeds of the M4’s drive. For photographers, video editors, and developers who work with large files locally, this matters.
4. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple’s N1 Chip
The M5 Air gains Apple’s N1 wireless chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 to the Air lineup for the first time. If you have a Wi-Fi 7 router at home or work (increasingly common in 2026), the improvement in stability and throughput is real, particularly in congested environments like offices or shared workspaces.
5. External Display Support Is Slightly Better
The M5 Air can drive up to two external displays up to 6K each, with the lid open or closed. The M4 supported two external displays as well, but the M5’s implementation offers a touch more flexibility.
| What did not change: The 13.6-inch and 15.3-inch Liquid Retina displays are unchanged, still at 60Hz (no ProMotion). Battery life is still up to 18 hours. The 12MP Centre Stage camera introduced with M4 carries over. The fanless design, MagSafe charging, and two Thunderbolt 4 ports remain the same. There is still no nano-texture display option, unlike the M5 MacBook Pro. |
SIDE BY SIDE
Full Spec Comparison: M5 vs M4
| MacBook Air M5 (2026) | MacBook Air M4 (2025) | ||
| Starting Price (NZ, 13-inch) | NZ$2,199 | NZ$1,999 | |
| Chip | Apple M5 | Apple M4 | Newer |
| CPU Cores | 10-core | 10-core | Same |
| GPU Cores | 8-core or 10-core | 8-core or 10-core | Same |
| CPU Performance vs M4 | ~15% faster | Baseline | M5 Faster |
| GPU Performance vs M4 | ~30% faster | Baseline | M5 Faster |
| Memory Bandwidth | 153 GB/s | 120 GB/s | M5 +28% |
| AI Performance vs M4 | Up to 4x faster | Baseline | M5 Much Faster |
| Neural Engine | Neural Accelerator per GPU core | Standard Neural Engine | M5 New |
| Base RAM | 16GB | 16GB | Same |
| Max RAM | 32GB | 32GB | Same |
| Base Storage | 512GB | 256GB | M5 Double |
| Max Storage | 4TB | 2TB | M5 More |
| SSD Generation | Gen 4 (2x faster) | Gen 3 | M5 Faster |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 6E | M5 Newer |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 6 | Bluetooth 5.3 | M5 Newer |
| Display Size (13″) | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | Same |
| Display Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Same |
| Camera | 12MP Centre Stage | 12MP Centre Stage | Same |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours | Up to 18 hours | Same |
| Weight (13″) | 1.23 kg | 1.24 kg | Same |
| Ports | 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, 3.5mm | 2x Thunderbolt 4, MagSafe, 3.5mm | Same |
| Colours | Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver | Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver | Same |
| Fan/Cooling | Fanless | Fanless | Same |
The pattern is clear: the M5 wins on every internal performance metric, while the design and usability experience are essentially identical. If you picked up the laptop with your eyes closed, you would not know which generation you were holding.
A/B TESTING REAL SCENARIOS
How Do They Compare in Real Kiwi Use Cases?
Rather than lab benchmarks, here is how the difference plays out across genuine everyday scenarios common to New Zealand users:
| Uni student: essays, research, Zoom, Google Drive
Both chips handle this workload with the same effortless ease. The M4 won’t break a sweat on an all-day uni workflow. The battery gets through a full day of lectures on either model. Winner: M4 — at NZ$200 less with no perceptible performance difference for this use case. |
| Small business owner: spreadsheets, email, video calls, basic presentations
The M4 handles all of this without any strain. The M5’s higher memory bandwidth may make heavy spreadsheet multitasking feel marginally snappier, but it is not something most people would clock in daily use. Winner: M4 on value. Buy the M5 if you also need 512GB for files or want a longer-term investment. |
| Content creator: photo editing, light video work, social media exports
The M5’s 30% faster GPU and higher memory bandwidth begin to show here. Batch photo processing in Lightroom or Affinity is noticeably faster. Short video exports are quicker. If you edit regularly, the M5 earns its extra cost. Winner: M5 — for anyone doing regular creative exports where GPU speed translates to minutes saved each day. |
| Developer: coding, local testing, occasional Docker containers
Compilation times are modestly faster on M5. If you run local LLMs for code assistance or AI-powered tools in your dev workflow, the 4x AI performance improvement on M5 is genuinely felt. Standard coding and web dev tasks feel almost identical. Winner: M5 if you use on-device AI tools. M4 if your work is traditional development without AI-heavy tooling. |
| Home user: streaming, browsing, FaceTime, iCloud Photos
The M4 is so far beyond what this workload requires that the M5 adds nothing perceptible here. Both deliver the same smooth, silent, all-day experience. Winner: M4 — by a comfortable margin on value. Save the NZ$200 for something else. |
| Future-proofer: planning to keep this laptop for 5 to 7 years
The M5’s AI architecture, Wi-Fi 7, larger base storage, and faster SSD mean it will age better. macOS updates and AI-powered features will increasingly lean on Neural Accelerator capabilities that M5 has built in. The M4 will still be supported for years, but the M5 has more runway. Winner: M5 — without question if longevity is your priority. |
MAKING THE RIGHT CALL
Who Should Buy Which MacBook Air?
| Buy the MacBook Air M5 if…
• You plan to use AI-powered creative or productivity tools regularly • You need 512GB or more storage and don’t want to pay extra for it • You have a Wi-Fi 7 router and want to get the most from it • You are keeping this laptop for five years or more • You edit video, render 3D, or process large photo batches frequently • You are a developer using local LLMs or AI coding assistants • You want the most current Apple silicon available |
Buy the MacBook Air M4 if…
• Your workflow is documents, email, browsing, and video calls • Budget is a meaningful consideration and NZ$200 matters to you • 256GB is enough for your files (especially if you use iCloud heavily) • You are a student looking for the best value Apple laptop for uni • You are replacing an older Intel or M1 Mac and want a huge upgrade • You prefer a refurbished option at an even better price point |
| A word on the ‘upgrade from M4 to M5’ question: If you already own a MacBook Air M4, there is no compelling reason to upgrade. The performance difference for typical workloads is not something you will feel in daily use. Keep your M4 and enjoy it. The M5 is for new buyers choosing between the two options, or those coming from much older machines. |
THE SMARTER BUDGET PATH
The Refurbished Option: Get More for Your Money
One of the most practical options for Kiwi buyers is exploring a certified refurbished MacBook Air. At 73Inc (73inc.co.nz), we stock expert-inspected MacBook Air models that undergo a thorough quality check before going on sale. Every machine meets high performance and cosmetic standards, and we back them with a warranty and NZ-wide free shipping.
A refurbished MacBook Air M4, for example, represents extraordinary value for money. You get the same 16GB base RAM, the same 18-hour battery, the same fanless design, and the same excellent 12MP camera — often at a significantly lower price than buying new.
If you are a student, a small business owner watching costs, or simply someone who wants the best MacBook experience without paying full retail, a refurbished model from a trusted NZ retailer is worth seriously considering
BOTTOM LINE
Our Verdict for NZ Buyers
| The MacBook Air M5 is the better laptop in every measurable way. The chip is faster, the storage is double, the SSD is quicker, and the wireless connectivity is more future-ready. If you are spending NZ$2,000 or more on a laptop, paying an extra NZ$200 for the M5 makes sense in most cases — because of the storage alone. |
| But the MacBook Air M4 is not a compromise. It is an outstanding machine that handles the vast majority of everyday computing tasks without breaking a sweat. If you can find one at a lower price (or a quality refurbished unit through a trusted NZ retailer like 73Inc), it remains one of the best laptop purchases you can make in 2026. The M5 is for those who want the most future-proof option. The M4 is for those who want exceptional value. Neither decision is wrong. |
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MacBook Air M5 worth buying over the M4 in New Zealand?
For most everyday users, the M4 remains excellent value. The M5 makes more sense if you use AI-heavy apps, need 512GB storage as standard, want Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, or plan to keep the laptop for five or more years. The NZ price difference is around NZ$200.
What is the price of the MacBook Air M5 in New Zealand?
The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 starts at NZ$2,199 inc. GST (NZ$1,999 for education). The 15-inch starts at NZ$2,599 inc. GST. The MacBook Air M4 remains available at NZ$1,999 for the 13-inch.
How much faster is the M5 chip compared to M4?
The M5 chip offers approximately 15% faster CPU performance, 30% faster GPU performance, 28% more memory bandwidth (153GB/s vs 120GB/s), and up to 4x faster AI task performance compared to M4. For everyday tasks, the difference is minimal. For sustained creative or AI workloads, it is more noticeable.
Does the MacBook Air M5 have a different design from M4?
No. The MacBook Air M5 uses the identical chassis and design as the M4. Same dimensions, same colours (Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, Silver), same 13.6 or 15.3-inch display, same 60Hz refresh rate. The changes are entirely internal.
Should I upgrade from my M4 MacBook Air to an M5?
No. If you already own a MacBook Air M4, the M5 does not offer enough of a performance improvement in day-to-day use to justify upgrading. The M5 is a better choice for new buyers comparing both options, not as an upgrade from the previous generation.
Can I buy a refurbished MacBook Air in NZ?
Yes. 73Inc stocks expert-inspected refurbished MacBook Air models in Auckland with nationwide free shipping across New Zealand. Each unit goes through a rigorous quality check and is backed by a warranty. It is one of the smartest ways to buy Apple in NZ. Visit 73inc.co.nz.
Does the MacBook Air M5 support Apple Intelligence?
Yes. Both the M4 and M5 MacBook Air support Apple Intelligence. The M5 handles AI tasks significantly faster due to the Neural Accelerator built into each GPU core, which matters most for AI-heavy creative apps and local language model inference.
What is the best MacBook Air for students in NZ?
For most students, the MacBook Air M4 offers outstanding value at NZ$1,999 (or less with education pricing). It handles all university workloads effortlessly and lasts all day on a single charge. Students with a tighter budget should also look at refurbished M4 options from trusted NZ retailers like 73Inc.