Laptops

Apple introduces MacBook Air with M5

Faster AI performance, double storage, and Wi-Fi 7

Published

March 4, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

If the MacBook Air were a KPop idol, it would be the dependable center who never misses a beat — and somehow still levels up every comeback. With the new MacBook Air with M5, Apple gives its thinnest crowd favorite a serious stat boost, led by the new Apple M5 chip, double the starting storage, and upgraded wireless connectivity.

Announced in Cupertino, the latest MacBook Air brings faster CPU and GPU performance alongside expanded AI capabilities. M5 features a 10-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU, each with a Neural Accelerator, pushing AI tasks up to four times faster than M4 and as much as 9.5 times faster than M1. Whether you’re batch-editing photos, rendering 3D models, or running on-device LLMs, this Air has more than enough headroom.

Paired with macOS Tahoe, the new MacBook Air leans deeper into Apple Intelligence features, from smarter automations to system-wide tools that tap directly into on-device AI models.

Faster, smarter, and finally 512GB standard

One of the biggest quality-of-life upgrades is storage. The MacBook Air with M5 now starts at 512GB — double the previous base configuration — and goes up to 4TB for the first time. The new SSD delivers up to 2x faster read and write speeds, making large file transfers, media imports, and heavy project loads noticeably quicker.

For creatives, Apple cites up to 6.5x faster 3D rendering in Blender compared to M1, and up to 2.7x faster image processing in Affinity. AI video enhancement in Topaz Video can be up to 6.9x faster versus M1. Even everyday tasks see gains, with web browsing up to 50 percent faster than a PC laptop powered by an Intel Core Ultra X7 processor.

M5 also boosts unified memory bandwidth to 153GB/s — a 28 percent improvement over M4 — which translates to smoother multitasking and faster app launches. It’s the kind of upgrade you may not flex in a spec sheet argument, but you’ll appreciate when you’re juggling Chrome tabs, Lightroom, and a Zoom call.

Thin, light, and still fanless

Apple keeps the design formula intact. The MacBook Air remains thin, light, and completely silent thanks to its fanless aluminum build. It comes in 13-inch and 15-inch options, offering a balance between portability and extra screen space.

The Liquid Retina display reaches up to 500 nits of brightness and supports one billion colors. Battery life stretches up to 18 hours — up to six hours longer than Intel-based MacBook Air models — with fast charging included.

You also get a 12MP Center Stage camera with Desk View support, a three-mic array, and Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos. Two Thunderbolt 4 ports support up to two external displays, while MagSafe handles charging.

Connectivity sees an upgrade as well, with Apple’s N1 wireless chip enabling Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 for faster and more reliable connections.

Built with AI — and the environment — in mind

With macOS Tahoe, users gain access to new personalization tools and deeper Apple Intelligence integration. Features like Live Translation in Messages, smarter Reminders categorization, and more powerful Shortcuts actions aim to make the MacBook Air not just faster, but more context-aware.

On sustainability, the MacBook Air with M5 uses 55 percent recycled content, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure and 100 percent recycled cobalt in the battery. Apple says manufacturing now runs on 50 percent renewable electricity across its supply chain, and packaging is 100 percent fiber-based.

Pricing and availability

In the U.S., the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at US$1,099, or US$999 for education. The 15-inch model starts at US$1,299, or US$1,199 for education. Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability starting March 11.

In Singapore, customers can pre-order the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air with M5 starting Wednesday, March 4, via apple.com/sg/store and the Apple Store app. Availability begins Wednesday, March 11, at Apple Store locations and Apple Authorised Resellers.

The 13-inch model starts at S$1,599, or S$1,449 for education. The 15-inch model starts at S$1,899, or S$1,749 for education. Both are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.

Apple Trade In is available in Singapore, allowing customers to trade in their current computer for credit toward a new Mac. AppleCare+ offers extended coverage including protection against accidental damage, battery service, and 24/7 support from Apple Experts. Buyers who purchase directly from Apple Retail also get access to Personal Setup sessions and Today at Apple workshops.

For students, creatives, and business users who want something light but powerful enough to handle AI-heavy workflows, this feels like the MacBook Air stepping confidently into its main-character era — quiet, capable, and very aware it’s still the one everyone recommends.

In the Philippines, customers can order the MacBook Air with M5 soon via apple.com/ph/store and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 starts at ₱72,990, or ₱65,990 for education. The 15-inch model starts at ₱85,990, or ₱78,990 for education. Both models are available in sky blue, midnight, starlight, and silver.

Related Topics:Apple MacBook Air MacBook Air M5

Laptops

Acer unveils Swift Air 14 and Swift Spin 14 AI with Intel’s latest processors

Thin, light, AI-powered laptops

Published

May 30, 2026

GadgetMatch

Acer has expanded its Swift laptop lineup with the launch of the new Swift Air 14 and Swift Spin 14 AI. The new Windows 11 laptops combine slim designs, dedicated AI hardware, and long battery life for users who want productivity on the go.

Swift Air 14 focuses on portability

Leading the announcement is the new Swift Air 14. Powered by Intel Core Series 3 processors, the laptop delivers up to 40 platform TOPS and up to 17 TOPS from its dedicated NPU for AI workloads. Acer says users can expect up to 19 hours of battery life, with fast charging capable of reaching 50 percent in around 30 minutes.

The Swift Air 14 weighs just 1.25kg and measures as thin as 12.9mm. Its all-aluminum chassis comes in Sage Green, Frost Blue, Blossom Pink, and Lilac Purple. A 180-degree hinge allows the laptop to lie flat when collaborating or sharing content.

For visuals, Acer equips the laptop with a 14-inch WUXGA display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and 100 percent sRGB color coverage. Quad speakers with DTS:X Ultra complete the entertainment package.

The Swift Air 14 also includes a 1080p IR webcam with a privacy shutter, Windows Hello facial recognition, Acer PurifiedVoice noise cancellation, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, and a USB-A port.

Swift Spin 14 AI adds convertible flexibility

Acer also introduced the Swift Spin 14 AI. The new convertible features a 360-degree hinge that lets users switch between laptop, presentation, display, and tablet modes.

Inside is up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 386H processor. The system delivers up to 50 TOPS from its dedicated NPU and up to 100 platform TOPS overall. Acer claims battery life can reach up to 26 hours on a single charge.

The Swift Spin 14 AI features a 14-inch WUXGA IPS touch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also supports the optional Acer Active Stylus with Wacom AES 2.0 technology. The stylus supports shading and 4,096 pressure levels, making it useful for drawing, note-taking, and document signing.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, dual Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, dual USB-A ports, and HDMI 2.1. Security features include a 5MP IR camera, fingerprint reader, human presence detection, and Acer User Sensing technology.

Acer brings AI features to both laptops

Both devices include a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to Microsoft’s AI assistant. Acer also bundles its own AI-powered software suite, including AcerSense and Acer Intelligence Space.

The suite includes tools such as Acer QR Capture, Acer AI Image Generator, and Acer Video Speed Controller. Acer says these features are designed to improve productivity, creativity, and day-to-day usability.

Acer has not yet announced local pricing or availability. The company says details will vary by market.

Laptops

MSI announces new Raider, Crosshair gaming laptops

Redesigned for better power

Published

May 19, 2026

GadgetMatch

MSI has unveiled its latest generation of high-performance gaming laptops, introducing comprehensive updates to the Raider, Crosshair, and Cyborg series.

The updated product lines include redesigns, as well as up to the latest Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs.

MSI Raider 16 HX: Flagship power

The premium tier is led by the redesigned MSI Raider 16 HX, which establishes a maximum total power delivery threshold of up to 300W of combined CPU and GPU output via MSI OverBoost technology.

This extreme performance is made possible by a newly designed Cooler Boost Trinity with Intra Flow thermal system. With up to three fans, six heat pipes, and an exclusive five-exhaust vent design, the laptop delivers exceptional cooling performance while keeping noise below 50 dBA.

It has a 16-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS display with up to 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut.

With two DDR5 memory slots, it can support up to 128GB of RAM, alongside dual M.2 slots for ample storage.

MSI Crosshair 16 HX: Mainstream performance realignment

Meanwhile, the mid-tier MSI Crosshair 16 HX receives a structural redesign that slims down the overall chassis depth while boosting overall thermal ceiling performance by 30W over the prior model.

It comes with a similar Cooler Boost thermal solution and quad-vent exhaust, while delivering up to 200W total system power.

Gamers can fully tap into that performance with a QHD+ 240Hz display. Connectivity gets an upgrade too, as the new I/O layout features three USB-A ports, two USB-C ports, and repositioned HDMI and RJ-45 LAN ports.

The look is completed by the iconic RGB Crosshair aesthetic, with a more dynamic RGB backlit keyboard.

MSI Cyborg 15 Max: Major upgrades in performance, display

Lastly, the newly redesigned MSI Cyborg 15 series arrives with major upgrades. Particularly, the entry-level Cyborg 15 Max marks a substantial performance update for the budget tier.

It now has up to a 140W total system power, thanks to an Intel Core 200H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 GPU. This sets a new benchmark in the entry-level gaming segment.

The performance is likewise powered by a Cooler Boost thermal system. Overall, the Cyborg 15 Max achieves an impressive 122% increase in TGP.

The entire series is equipped with an FHD 144Hz display with 100% sRGB color gamut. Even connectivity is upgraded, with three USB-A ports and one USB-C port.