I would argue that Apple currently has its best MacBook lineup it’s ever offered. Since the release of the MacBook Neo, they now have a really strong option at every price point. But at the same time, there is a slight awkward issue. The MacBook Neo is now the default recommendation for anyone who just wants a Mac laptop, and if you need Pro-level features and hardware, you go with the MacBook Pro. So where does that leave the M5 MacBook Air? Who is the target customer now? The MacBook Air is no longer the de facto entry-level computer, but it’s also not as powerful as the Pro-level MacBooks, so who should buy the MacBook Air?
Be sure to check out our latest video discussing who the M5 MacBook Air is for becuase there is still a target customer!
MacBook Neo vs M5 MacBook Air
For years, the MacBook Air was the safest recommendation in laptops, especially after Apple introduced its own M-series chips in 2020. The MacBook Air struck the perfect balance between performance, portability, and price, and it was the cheapest laptop Apple made that let you get into the Apple ecosystem. There were even times when it hit $749 on Amazon, making it an insane deal.
But the regular retail price of a MacBook Air was $999 from Apple and for some, that was too much to even consider. So in steps the new MacBook Neo. This MacBook gave you 95% of the MacBook experience at just $599. You got the same fantastic build quality and materials, you got full-fledged MacOS, you got a great 13in display, and you got insane battery life. The MacBook Neo has become the new default recommendation for most people who just want the easiest and cheapest Apple Laptop to get into.
So not only did the entry point for a MacBook drop to $599, but Apple also updated the MacBook Air with the new M5 chip, doubled the base storage, but increased the starting price to $1099 (or $949 from Amazon). This created a $500 price gap that really forces you to look purely at the MacBook Neo if your budget is under $700-$800. There is no real “price ladder” to justify getting you into a MacBook Air. Then, on the other side of the spectrum, the MacBook Pro was becoming more Pro.
M5 MacBook Air vs M5 MacBook Pro
While the MacBook Neo was dethroning the MacBook Air as the best entry-level MacBook, at the same time, the MacBook Pro lineup was getting even better. Not only does the MacBook Pro have better hardware than the MacBook Air, like a Mini-LED 120Hz Promotion display, faster internals, better speakers, more port variety, a fan for better sustained performance, and it was built for Pro-level workflows. So the MacBook Pro feels like a significant step up from the MacBook Air, both in hardware and performance.
The MacBook Pro starts at $1699, but you get all the awesome hardware I mentioned, plus more GPU cores than the Air, and you get 1TB of base storage. So that’s where it gets a bit strange, and you really begin to wonder who the MacBook Air is for. If the MacBook Neo is for entry-level customers and the MacBook Pro is for Pro-level users, which customer is left to buy a MacBook Air?
The M5 MacBook Air issue
The issue with the MacBook Air isn’t that it’s a bad laptop, because it’s not. It is actually still one of the best laptops you can buy today. The issue is that it doesn’t clearly win anywhere in Apple’s lineup anymore. On one side, you have the MacBook Neo at $599. It handles everyday tasks like web browsing, email, schoolwork, and even some light creative work without breaking a sweat. For many people, that’s all they need, and it costs almost half the price of the Air.
Then, on the other side, you have the MacBook Pro. Starting at $1699, you’re getting a significantly better display, better speakers, more ports, better sustained performance thanks to the fan, and a machine that is built to handle heavier workloads long-term. It feels like a true step up.
So the MacBook Air ends up sitting right in the middle. It’s more powerful than the Neo, but not dramatically better for everyday tasks. And while it’s cheaper than the Pro, it’s not that much cheaper when you consider how much more you’re getting. This creates a weird situation where the MacBook Air is no longer the obvious choice. You actually have to think about it.
Who should get the M5 MacBook Air?
With all that being said, the M5 MacBook Air still has a very specific role in the lineup. It’s for people who want more power and longevity than the MacBook Neo can offer, but don’t need the extra features, weight, or cost of the MacBook Pro. It’s the laptop for someone who lives in that middle ground, someone who does more than just the basics, but not enough to justify going Pro. So the volume of potential Air customers has shrunk, but there are still people who would need this instead of a MacBook Neo or a MacBook Pro. So while the MacBook Air may feel a bit awkward in Apple’s current lineup, it hasn’t lost its value. It’s just no longer the default recommendation.
Final thoughts
As I said in the intro, Apple’s MacBook lineup is better than ever. But it does require more thought than before. The MacBook Neo is the clear choice for budget buyers, the MacBook Pro is the go-to for power users, and the MacBook Air now sits in the middle as the balanced option for people who want more performance and longevity than the Neo without stepping up to a full Pro machine. It’s no longer the default recommendation it once was, but it’s still one of the best all-around laptops you can get for $900-$1100.
What do you think? Are you a MacBook Air owner? Are you deciding between the Neo and the Air? What would you do on the MacBook Air that the Neo could not do? Let’s discuss below!
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