Updated 22 Oct 2026
Is the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) worth it?
Yes — if you want a bigger screen without paying for a Pro.
It has the same M5 chip, 16GB of memory and 512GB SSD as the 13-inch, with a 15.3-inch screen and fuller six-speaker sound. It's fanless and silent, and in testing it kept its speed even in games. The screen is still 60Hz, and memory and storage can't be upgraded later. Since Apple's June 2026 price rise it costs £200 and $200 more than the 13-inch.
100%of 26 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Big 15.3-inch screen
- Six speakers, the best sound in a MacBook Air
- Silent and fanless
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What owners say
Owners love how fast and light it is for its size, and the sharp screen. No low ratings yet.
Good to know
- 60Hz screen.
- Memory and storage can't be upgraded later.
- The webcam has no Face ID.
- Costs a good deal more than the 13-inch for the same chip.
From 26 buyer ratings at Currys, every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- FastMentioned a lot
- Light and thin for its sizeMentioned a lot
- Sleek and well builtMentioned a lot
- Sharp, bright screenMentioned often
What they complain about
Hardly any: just 0 of 26 owners gave it 3 stars or fewer, and no complaint came up often enough to list.
Get it if…
- You work with two windows side by side or edit photos.
- You watch a lot of films on it.
- You mostly work at a desk but still carry it now and then.
Skip it if…
- You carry it every day: the 13-inch is smaller and lighter.
- You want a smoother, brighter screen: that's the MacBook Pro.
More on the MacBook Air 15 (M5)
How we reached this verdict
Notebookcheck rates it 92% (very good): the M5 kept full speed in games without a fan, the 15.3-inch screen covers the P3 colour range and the six speakers are very good, but it criticises the 60Hz screen and the soldered memory and storage. It recommends the base 16GB/512GB model for most people. Apple raised the price in June 2026, after the review.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Notebookcheck, Apple, TechRadar, Expert Reviews, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 22 Oct 2026How we decide