Apple’s new MacBook Air gets M5 chip upgrade, faster AI capabilities, and double storage, price starts at Rs 1,19,900

Apple has launched an upgraded version of its MacBook Air, now powered by the new M5 chip. This latest iteration promises enhanced artificial intelligence capabilities, doubled storage, and improved connectivity, all while remaining more budget-friendly than the Pro models. The M5 chip boasts significant advancements, including a faster CPU and next-generation GPU, equipped with a Neural Accelerator. This combination is designed to elevate performance across a range of tasks, from everyday creative projects to complex AI functions. While the overall design of the MacBook Air remains consistent, Apple has introduced a striking new sky blue color option, joining the existing hues of midnight, starlight, and silver. The device is available in both 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, featuring a sleek, fanless aluminum chassis and a vibrant Liquid Retina display that provides up to 500 nits of brightness. The standout feature of this MacBook Air is undoubtedly the M5 chip, which incorporates a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, delivering AI performance that is up to four times faster than its predecessor, the M4. Additionally, the unified memory has been upgraded to offer 153GB/s bandwidth, marking a 28% enhancement over the previous model. Storage has also seen a significant boost, with the base model now starting at 512GB, and configurations available up to a massive 4TB for the first time. The new SSD technology ensures twice the read/write speeds compared to earlier generations. Connectivity options have been enhanced with the inclusion of Apple's N1 wireless chip, offering the latest Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 capabilities. The MacBook Air is equipped with two Thunderbolt 4 ports that support dual external displays, alongside MagSafe charging and a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support. In terms of pricing, the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip is set at Rs 1,19,900, while the 15-inch model begins at Rs 1,44,900 in India. Pre-orders will commence on March 4 through apple.com and the Apple Store app, with sales officially launching on March 11.