Apple Unveils New MacBook Air and MacBook Pro With M5 Chips and Higher Base Storage
Apple on Tuesday introduced updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models powered by its latest M5-series chips. The refresh also brings higher base storage across the lineup, as the company aims to attract buyers in a slowing PC market facing rising memory costs.
MacBook Air Gets M5 Chip and Storage Upgrade
The new 13-inch MacBook Air is equipped with Apple’s M5 chip, delivering improved performance and stronger on-device AI capabilities. The entry-level model now starts at $1,099 and includes 512GB of storage as standard — double the base storage offered in the previous generation.
Previously, customers had to pay $1,199 to configure a MacBook Air with 512GB. The updated pricing effectively lowers the cost for the same storage capacity, making the new model more competitive in the mid-range laptop segment.
Since moving away from Intel processors in 2020 and transitioning to its in-house M-series chips, Apple has consistently emphasized gains in performance and battery efficiency. This shift has helped the company stand out from Windows-based PC manufacturers.
MacBook Pro Expands Performance and Storage
Apple also refreshed its 14-inch MacBook Pro lineup with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. According to the company, these chips provide significant improvements in computing power and artificial intelligence performance.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip now starts at $2,199 and includes 1TB of storage as standard. Earlier base models often started with 512GB, meaning Apple has doubled the entry-level storage without significantly raising headline prices.
By increasing standard configurations while maintaining similar price points, Apple appears to be adopting a value-focused strategy to compete in a challenging PC market environment.
PC Market Pressures and Rising Memory Costs
The broader PC industry has experienced uneven demand since the pandemic-driven surge in laptop purchases. Consumers and businesses have delayed upgrades, prompting vendors to compete more aggressively on pricing.
At the same time, memory components such as DRAM and NAND flash — essential for laptop performance and storage capacity — have become more expensive. Limited supply and increased chip manufacturing dedicated to AI applications have contributed to rising memory costs across the sector.
iPhone 17e Launch Adds to Product Refresh
In addition to the MacBook updates, Apple launched the iPhone 17e on Monday. The new smartphone starts at $599 and now comes with 256GB of base storage, reflecting a similar strategy of boosting standard configurations across its product lineup.
Overall, Apple’s latest hardware refresh highlights its focus on performance upgrades, expanded storage, and competitive pricing in an evolving global PC market.
