Apple MacBook Air (M4) vs Apple MacBook Air (M5)
Critics score the Apple MacBook Air (M4) 91 (general agreement) and the Apple MacBook Air (M5) 88 (general agreement) out of 100, from 7 and 8 professional reviews. 4 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple MacBook Air (M4) higher and 3 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Apple MacBook Air (M4) 4 points ahead.
Image: AppleApple MacBook Air (M4)
7 professional reviewers tested the Apple MacBook Air (M4), and 7 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: price.
All 7 reviews of the Apple MacBook Air (M4) →
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Image: AppleApple MacBook Air (M5)
8 professional reviewers tested the Apple MacBook Air (M5), and 8 recommend it. Most praised: performance and battery life. Most common complaint: price.
All 8 reviews of the Apple MacBook Air (M5) →
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Where every review landed
Each mark is one professional review, converted to 0–100Which one is for you?
Pick the Apple MacBook Air (M4) if
- you want the one critics rate higher (91 against 88)
The catch: The 60Hz screen is dated, and memory and storage upgrades are costly.
Pick the Apple MacBook Air (M5) if
- “Best all-round laptop” is what you’re after
The catch: The starting price rose, and the design and display feel dated.
In our words, from what the critics praise and complain about. It never changes a score.
What critics praise and fault
How many of each product's reviews mention the topic| Topic | Apple MacBook Air (M4) | Apple MacBook Air (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 of 7 praise | 7 of 8 praise |
| Battery life | 4 of 7 praise 1 of 7 fault | 5 of 8 praise 1 of 8 fault |
| Price | 2 of 7 fault | 4 of 8 fault |
| Value for money | 4 of 7 praise | not mentioned |
Critics who reviewed both
The fairest comparison: the same reviewer, the same standards| Outlet | MacBook Air (M4) | MacBook Air (M5) | Who scored higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expert Reviews | 95 | 80 | MacBook Air (M4) +15 |
| Tom's Guide | 90 | 90 | Same |
| Tom's Hardware | 90 | 90 | Same |
| Trusted Reviews | 90 | 90 | Same |
Scores converted to 0–100. Tiles with a dashed border are estimated from the verdict. Tap a score to read that review.
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Common questions
Which is better, the Apple MacBook Air (M4) or the Apple MacBook Air (M5)?
Critics rate the Apple MacBook Air (M4) higher: 91 (general agreement) against 88 (general agreement). 4 outlets reviewed both: 1 scored the Apple MacBook Air (M4) higher and 3 gave both the same score. On average those critics put the Apple MacBook Air (M4) 4 points ahead.
Do critics agree about the Apple MacBook Air (M4) and the Apple MacBook Air (M5)?
The Apple MacBook Air (M4): general agreement, scores from 85 to 100. The Apple MacBook Air (M5): general agreement, scores from 80 to 95.