Hold onto your wallets, Apple fans – the tech giant just dropped a new MacBook Air with the M5 processor, and it’s $100 pricier than its M4 predecessor. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Samsung recently blamed chip costs and demand for price hikes, Apple is framing this increase as a value-add, citing a significant upgrade—the base storage has doubled to 512GB on a faster SSD. Is this a fair trade-off, or is Apple pushing the limits of what consumers will pay? Let’s dive in.
At $1,799, the MacBook Air remains a competitive entry point for a Mac, especially with the M5 chip under the hood, which promises more power than ever before. According to John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, ‘The new MacBook Air with M5 delivers unparalleled performance and capability to the world’s most beloved laptop. With M5, it effortlessly handles everything from daily tasks to creative projects, and it’s even faster for AI workloads. Combined with double the starting storage, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and a sleek, durable design with long battery life, it’s the ultimate blend of performance and portability.’ And this is the part most people miss: this isn’t just a minor refresh—it’s a substantial ‘under the hood’ upgrade designed to keep the MacBook Air at the forefront of Apple’s silicon innovation.
Available in the familiar Light Blue, Starlight, Silver, and Midnight colors, the new model also introduces the Apple N1 wireless chip, bringing Wi-Fi 7 to the table—a step up from the 6E in the previous version. Pre-orders kick off tomorrow, with availability starting March 11.
Now, let’s shift gears to Trev, the tech guru behind this insight. As a Technology Commentator, Dad, Speaker, and Rev Head, Trev wears many hats. He’s the mastermind behind hit podcasts like EFTM, Two Blokes Talking Tech, Two Blokes Talking Electric Cars, The Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, and The Private Feed. You’ve likely heard his voice as the resident tech expert on Triple M radio across Australia or seen him on Channel 9’s Today Show, 9 News, A Current Affair, or Sky News Early Edition. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech trends, he’s a father of three, often found tinkering in his Man Cave.
Controversial question for you: Is Apple’s $100 price increase justified by the upgraded specs, or is it a strategic move to test consumer loyalty? Let us know in the comments below. And if you enjoyed this breakdown, consider buying Trev a drink to keep the insights flowing! Buy Trev a Drink
