Apple unveils M5 chips and new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lineup with stronger AI performance

Apple announced a new generation of laptops and processors, unveiling the M5 chip for the MacBook Air and two pro variants — M5 Pro and M5 Max — for 14‑ and 16‑inch MacBook Pro models.

The M5 brings a faster CPU and a next‑generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core to the MacBook Air, and Apple said the new Air now starts with 512 GB of storage and faster SSD technology.

M5 Pro and M5 Max use a new Apple Fusion Architecture that combines two dies into a single system on a chip (SoC). The pro chips include a new 18‑core CPU architecture, scalable GPUs, a Media Engine, unified memory controller with higher bandwidth, a Neural Engine, and support for Thunderbolt 5.

Apple said the M5 Pro and M5 Max deliver up to four times the on‑device AI performance compared with the previous generation. Across the lineup, Apple emphasized stronger AI capabilities and higher overall performance for both creative and demanding professional workflows.

Apple also raised prices on the new laptops, with reported increases of up to $400, citing industry pressures such as a memory‑chip shortage and rising component costs tied to AI demand.

The MacBook Air uses the M5, while the 14‑ and 16‑inch MacBook Pro models use the higher‑end M5 Pro and M5 Max.

Improvements include faster CPU cores, next‑generation GPUs with a Neural Accelerator in each core, an 18‑core CPU for the pro chips, higher unified memory bandwidth, a dedicated Neural Engine and Media Engine, and support for Thunderbolt 5. Apple says Pro chips can deliver up to 4× better on‑device AI performance versus the prior generation.

Yes. Apple now ships the MacBook Air with a 512 GB starting SSD and faster SSD technology.

Apple increased prices on the new laptops, with reports of hikes up to $400, driven in part by memory‑chip shortages and higher component costs related to AI demand.

Business Wire

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today announced the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro® with the all-new M5 Pro and M5 Max, bringing game-changing performance and AI capabilities to the world's best pro laptop. With M5 Pro and M5 Max, MacBook Pro features a new CPU with the world's fastes...

Business Wire

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today announced the new MacBook Air® with M5, bringing exceptional performance and expanded AI capabilities to the world's most popular laptop. M5 features a faster CPU and next-generation GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, enabling MacBook Air to...

Business Wire

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apple® today announced M5 Pro and M5 Max, the world's most advanced chips for pro laptops, powering the new MacBook Pro®. The chips are built using a new Apple-designed Fusion Architecture. This innovative design combines two dies into a single system on a chip (S...

Forbes

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TechCrunch

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CNBC

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PYMNTS

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Forbes

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Investors Business Daily

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PYMNTS

Apple unveiled a new laptop Wednesday (March 4) that it said offers the Mac experience at a “breakthrough price” that starts at $599 for consumers and $499 for students. The MacBook Neo features an aluminum enclosure, a 13-inch display, a 1080p camera and up to 16 hours of battery life, the company...

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