CUPERTINO, California, April 15, 2026, 09:08 PDT.
- Amazon’s latest deal knocks the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air with 16GB memory and a 512GB SSD down to $949—$150 off its sticker price.
- That same memory and storage config on a 13-inch M4 MacBook Air? It’s $899—just $50 less.
- The Guardian, in a review out Wednesday, reports the M5 model delivers a speed boost of roughly 10% to 20% over the M4 and pushes past 17 hours on office tasks.
Just five weeks post-launch, Apple’s latest MacBook Air is seeing price cuts. According to 9to5Toys, Amazon marked down the 13-inch M5 Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage to $949 this week. The similar M4 version? That one’s listed at $899.
The gap between the old and new models is now just $50, shifting the decision from price to whether buyers want the upgraded chip and extra base storage. This shift arrives as the PC market copes with pricier memory, a trend that Reuters has flagged as a drag on demand for this year.
Apple rolled out its M5 MacBook Air on March 3, with shipments kicking off March 11. Pricing lands at $1,099 for the 13-inch model, while the 15-inch starts at $1,299. Both versions come standard with 512GB of storage, and add support for Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Discounts are hitting the whole lineup. According to 9to5Toys, the 15-inch M5 Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage started at $1,149, and 1TB versions—regardless of size—were also marked down by $150. 9to5Mac’s daily deals crew highlighted the same Amazon price cuts.
Older models remain less expensive, though the gap has narrowed. According to 9to5Toys, a 13-inch M4 Air with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage was selling for $899—a $300 cut from its launch price. Discounted 15-inch M4 variants were listed between $999 and $1,299, pricing varied by configuration.
Fresh reviews out Wednesday nudged the new laptop higher. The Guardian’s tests found the M5 Air running roughly 10% to 20% faster than the M4, and the SSD—where files and apps live—showed speeds that doubled those of the last model. Battery numbers: over 17 hours for office use, and close to 10 during heavier workloads.
Apple spotlighted the upgraded storage right out of the gate. Hardware boss John Ternus pointed to “double the starting storage,” while Reuters noted last year’s buyers shelled out $1,199 for a 512GB MacBook Air. Now, the new model comes in at $1,099 for the same 512GB—so, pound for pound, a cheaper entry. Apple
The introduction of the $599 MacBook Neo last month has opened up space for Apple to push the Air a notch higher in its lineup. IDC vice president Francisco Jeronimo, speaking at the launch, put it plainly: the real test for Apple is juggling “cost, performance and brand positioning” while maintaining that Mac prestige. Now, with Neo planted at the entry level, the Air finds itself more squarely positioned as the upgrade pick. Reuters
The discount is notable when compared to competitors. Microsoft’s 13-inch Surface Laptop starts at $1,149.99 on the company’s U.S. site—higher than Apple’s sticker price for the 13-inch M5 Air and about $200 pricier than Amazon’s current promotional deal. Reuters noted in January that increasing memory prices were anticipated to pressure PC demand in 2026. Morningstar’s William Kerwin pointed out Apple is “better-positioned” than smaller competitors, thanks to its contract-based component buying. Microsoft
Still, the M5 Air isn’t perfect for everyone. The Guardian pointed out the same limitations: just two USB-C ports, a 60Hz screen, and fixed memory and storage—no upgrades after you buy. Price becomes a bigger question if Amazon’s deals disappear, especially for buyers whose main needs are web browsing, streaming, and office tasks.
Right now, M4 pricing is in a strange spot. The laptop Apple rolled out in March at $1,099 has dropped to $949, forcing shoppers to weigh if a $50 discount really justifies taking the previous-gen chip.
