Apple
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
M5 · 15.3″ Liquid Retina · 1.51 kg
94
/ 100
From $1,299
VS
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB wins by 4
Apple
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB
M5 Max · 16GB
98
/ 100
From $3,499
Specdex verdict
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Air 15" (M5) lands at 94 and MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB at 98. That puts MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick MacBook Air 15" (M5) if…
- ✓Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- ✓10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- ✓Up to 18 hours video playback
Pick MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB if…
- ✓M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- ✓Larger unified memory ceiling
- ✓Improved ray-tracing iGPU
MacBook Air 15" (M5) 94
vs 98 MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB
Score breakdown
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
94 cpu 92
gpu 88
display 90
battery 95
portability 88
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB
98 cpu 98
gpu 96
display 92
battery 96
portability 90
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | MacBook Air 15" (M5) | MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | M5 Max |
| RAM | 16 GB unified (base) | 16GB |
| Storage | 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB SSD | — |
| Display | 15.3″ IPS LED, 2880×1864 at 224 ppi | — |
| Battery (video) | Up to 18 hours | — |
| Battery (web) | Up to 15 hours | — |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | — |
| Ports | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm | — |
| OS | macOS 16 | macOS 16 |
| Release year | — | 2025 |
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
Pros
- +Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- +10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- +Up to 18 hours video playback
Cons
- −Heavier at 1.51 kg
- −2× Thunderbolt 4 (not TB5)
- −No ProMotion
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB
Pros
- +M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- +Larger unified memory ceiling
- +Improved ray-tracing iGPU
Cons
- −macOS-only
- −Memory non-upgradable
- −High-end configs expensive
FAQ: MacBook Air 15" (M5) vs MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB
Which is better, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB? +
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is MacBook Air 15" (M5) worth the price? +
At $1,299, MacBook Air 15" (M5) delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in battery.
Is MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB worth the price? +
At $3,499, MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does MacBook Air 15" (M5) or MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 16GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.