MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) vs MacBook Air (13-inch, M5)

macOS is the software that runs the Mac: the desktop, Finder, the built-in apps, the settings and the security protection. Apple releases a new version every autumn.

A Mac on the newest macOS gets new features and regular security fixes. A Mac stuck on an older version keeps working, but over time apps start requiring a newer macOS, and security fixes stop. Apple has said macOS Tahoe 26 is the last version for Macs with Intel processors.

Matters most if: You use work, school or banking apps that need a recent macOS.

Apple Intelligence is Apple's set of AI features: writing help that rewrites or proofreads your text, summaries of long emails and notifications, Clean Up in Photos, and the new Siri AI.

On Mac it needs Apple silicon, the M1 chip or later. Macs with Intel processors cannot get it. Which features you see also depends on your country and language.

The price Apple charged in the US on launch day for the lowest configuration, before tax.

This is not what the Mac costs today. More memory, storage or a faster chip cost extra. Older models drop in price over time, so check the used and refurbished links for current prices.

The chip is the Mac's brain. Since late 2020 Apple uses its own chips (Apple silicon: M1, M2 and later). Before that, MacBooks used Intel processors.

Apple silicon Macs run cooler and much longer on battery than Intel MacBooks, and can run many iPhone and iPad apps. Intel Macs can run Windows directly with Boot Camp; Apple silicon Macs cannot.

Matters most if: You need Windows, or you want the longest battery life.

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The CPU is the part of the chip that runs your apps. More cores means it can work on more things at the same time.

More cores help most when exporting video, compiling code or running many apps at once. For browsing and email, the difference is small. Cores are only comparable within the same family: one Apple silicon core and one Intel core do not do the same amount of work.

The GPU handles graphics: what you see on screen, games, and video and photo effects. Apple lists GPU cores for its own chips.

More GPU cores make games, 3D work and video editing smoother. "Not published by Apple" means the Mac uses Intel or AMD graphics, which Apple does not describe in cores.

The Neural Engine is a part of Apple silicon built for machine learning tasks, such as recognizing faces and text in photos.

It speeds up features like Live Text, photo search, voice dictation and Apple Intelligence, while using little battery. Intel Macs do not have one.

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Memory (RAM) is the working space for open apps and files. Apple silicon uses unified memory: one pool shared by the CPU, GPU and Neural Engine. Intel MacBooks list a memory type such as LPDDR3 or DDR4.

Unified memory lets graphics and apps use the same memory without copying data back and forth, which helps with photo and video work. On these MacBooks memory cannot be added later, so choose enough when you buy.

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How much memory (RAM) the cheapest configuration comes with, in gigabytes (GB).

More memory lets you keep more apps and browser tabs open without slowing down. 8 GB is enough for browsing and documents; 16 GB or more helps with photo editing, video and many apps at once. Memory cannot be upgraded later.

Matters most if: You keep many apps or tabs open, or edit photos and video.

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The most memory you could order from Apple for this model.

Only matters if you plan to buy a high-end configuration, for example for large video projects or software development.

Storage is where your files, photos and apps are kept. This is the amount in the cheapest configuration. 1 TB (terabyte) is 1,024 GB.

Storage cannot be upgraded inside these MacBooks later. You can add an external drive, but it has to stay plugged in. Photo libraries and video fill storage fastest.

The most storage you could order from Apple for this model.

Only matters if you need to keep very large files on the Mac itself rather than on an external drive.

Screen size measured corner to corner, in inches. One inch is 2.54 cm.

A bigger screen fits two windows side by side more comfortably, but the laptop is larger and heavier. A 13-inch MacBook fits most bags; 16-inch models need a bigger one.

How many dots (pixels) make up the screen, across by down.

More pixels on the same size of screen make text and photos look sharper. macOS scales everything so text stays a comfortable size.

Apple's name for the screen. Retina means sharp enough that you cannot see the dots at a normal distance. Liquid Retina is Apple's name for its newer LCD screens with rounded corners. Liquid Retina XDR uses mini-LED lighting for much higher brightness and contrast.

XDR screens show HDR video and photos far brighter and with deeper blacks than Retina and Liquid Retina screens.

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Nits measure brightness. This is the brightness Apple lists for everyday (SDR) content such as documents and websites, not the higher peak for HDR video.

A brighter screen is easier to read near a window or outdoors. 500 nits works well indoors. "Not published by Apple" means Apple's spec page for that model does not give a figure.

The camera above the screen used for video calls. 480p, 720p and 1080p describe video sharpness (more lines of detail is sharper). 12MP Center Stage is a higher-resolution wide camera.

A 1080p camera makes you look noticeably sharper in calls than a 720p one. The 12MP Center Stage camera can also follow you as you move and show your desk with Desk View.

Matters most if: You make a lot of video calls.

Center Stage uses the wide camera to keep you in frame during video calls.

If you lean back or shift in your seat, the picture follows you. When someone joins you, it widens to fit both of you.

The mechanism under the keys. The butterfly keyboard (MacBooks from 2015 to 2019) was very thin with little key travel. Magic Keyboard uses a scissor mechanism with more travel. "Not named by Apple" means Apple's spec page does not say which mechanism the model uses.

Magic Keyboard keys move further when pressed and feel more like a desktop keyboard. Many people found the butterfly keys too shallow, and Apple acknowledged that on some of these keyboards keys could repeat, not respond, or feel sticky.

Matters most if: You type a lot.

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The sockets on the sides of the MacBook. Each row shows one port gained or lost.

Built-in HDMI and an SD card slot mean fewer adapters when you connect a TV or projector or copy photos from a camera. With fewer ports you rely more on USB-C hubs and adapters.

Matters most if: You connect displays, cameras or many accessories.

Thunderbolt is a fast connection that uses the USB-C plug (Thunderbolt 2 used an older, smaller plug). Gb/s is gigabits per second. Thunderbolt 2 goes up to 20 Gb/s, Thunderbolt 3 and 4 up to 40 Gb/s, and Thunderbolt 5 up to 120 Gb/s.

Faster Thunderbolt matters for external SSDs, docks and high-resolution displays. For charging, keyboards and mice, every version works the same.

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MagSafe is a charging connector that attaches with magnets. MagSafe 3 is the newest version.

If someone trips over the cable, it pops off instead of pulling the MacBook off the table. It also keeps the USB-C or Thunderbolt ports free while charging.

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Wi-Fi generations. Each new one handles more devices at once and higher speeds: Wi-Fi 5 (2014), Wi-Fi 6 (2019), Wi-Fi 6E adds a new, less crowded radio band, Wi-Fi 7 is the newest.

You only get the extra speed if your router supports the same generation. With an older router, the difference is small.

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Bluetooth connects wireless headphones, mice, keyboards and game controllers. Newer versions have more range and use less power.

Most accessories work with any of these versions. Newer versions mainly help with range and connection stability.

The power of the charger Apple includes in the box, in watts (W). Higher watts can charge faster.

A bigger charger refills the battery faster, especially on larger MacBook Pro models. Any USB-C charger works, but a small one charges slowly.

Apple's battery rating for watching video on a full charge, in Apple's own tests. Older models were tested playing downloaded movies, newer ones streaming video over Wi-Fi.

Real use with many apps, high brightness or heavy work drains the battery faster. Batteries also wear out, so an older MacBook today lasts less than it did when new.

Matters most if: You work away from a power outlet for long stretches.

Battery size in watt-hours (Wh): how much energy the battery holds.

A bigger battery helps, but how long it lasts depends even more on the chip. Apple silicon MacBooks last much longer than Intel ones with a similar battery.

Weight in kilograms. 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds.

A difference of 0.3 kg or more is noticeable when you carry the MacBook every day. The charger adds extra weight to your bag.

How thick the MacBook is when closed, in centimeters. 1 cm is about 0.4 inch. For tapered designs this is the thickest point.

Thinner MacBooks slide into bags and sleeves more easily. A few millimeters are hard to notice in daily use.

How Apple describes the MacBook's speakers on its spec page. Apple's wording varies between models. We show it exactly as Apple lists it.

Four- and six-speaker systems, especially those with force-cancelling woofers, give fuller sound with more bass for films and music without headphones.