MacBook Air 15" (M5)
M5 · 15.3″ Liquid Retina · 1.51 kg
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
Core Ultra 7 · 14″ OLED · 1.09 kg
MacBook Air 15" (M5) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, MacBook Air 15" (M5) lands at 94 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 at 89. That puts MacBook Air 15" (M5) ahead by 5 points — a decisive 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 ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 if…
- ✓Featherweight 1.09 kg
- ✓MIL-STD durability
- ✓Legendary keyboard
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
MacBook Air 15" (M5)CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work
MacBook Air 15" (M5) leads on gpu (88 vs 70).
Battery life
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Unplugged endurance for travel and campus
MacBook Air 15" (M5) leads on battery (95 vs 90).
Portability
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13Weight, size, and carry-everywhere comfort
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 leads on portability (98 vs 88).
Display
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13Panel quality for creative and media work
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 leads on display (92 vs 90).
Value for money
MacBook Air 15" (M5)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
MacBook Air 15" (M5) more score per dollar ($1,299 vs $2,399).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | MacBook Air 15" (M5) | ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M5 chip (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | — |
| RAM | 16 GB unified (base) | 16/32 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512 GB / 1 / 2 / 4 TB SSD | 512 GB – 2 TB |
| Display | ▲ 15.3″ IPS LED, 2880×1864 at 224 ppi | 14″ OLED 2880×1800 120Hz |
| Battery (video) | Up to 18 hours | — |
| Battery (web) | Up to 15 hours | — |
| Weight | 1.51 kg | ▲ 1.09 kg |
| Ports | MagSafe 3, 2× Thunderbolt 4, 3.5 mm | — |
| OS | macOS 16 | — |
| CPU | — | Intel Core Ultra 7 268V (Lunar Lake) |
| Battery | — | 57 Wh |
MacBook Air 15" (M5)
- +Larger 15.3″ panel at 2880×1864
- +10-core CPU + 10-core GPU standard
- +Up to 18 hours video playback
- −Heavier at 1.51 kg
- −2× Thunderbolt 4 (not TB5)
- −No ProMotion
ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
- +Featherweight 1.09 kg
- +MIL-STD durability
- +Legendary keyboard
- −Expensive in top trim
- −Integrated graphics only
- −Port layout compromises
FAQ: MacBook Air 15" (M5) vs ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13
Which is better, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 5. 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 ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 worth the price? +
At $2,399, ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 delivers a Specdex score of 89 — strongest in portability.
Does MacBook Air 15" (M5) or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13 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.
Which is better for performance, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) — leads on gpu (88 vs 70). CPU + GPU muscle for demanding work.
Which is better for battery life, MacBook Air 15" (M5) or ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 13? +
MacBook Air 15" (M5) — leads on battery (95 vs 90). Unplugged endurance for travel and campus.