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

MacBook Neo pre-orders now open through Beyond the Box

Exclusive freebies, more perks available

Published

April 12, 2026

GadgetMatch

Customers in the Philippines can now pre-order the MacBook Neo through Beyond the Box.

Those who avail of the device during the pre-order period can get up to PhP 10,000 worth in freebies. This is a curated bundle of essential accessories.

The MacBook Neo will also appear at these two cafes, inviting those who plan on upgrading to experience Apple’s new offering first-hand:

April 16: Scout’s Honor, Uptown Mall
April 17: The Matcha Tokyo, Opus Mall

Attendees who pre-order on the spot will also enjoy complimentary beverage, live DJ performances, and the opportunity to engage with social media personalities.

And to ensure the MacBook Neo is more accessible, Beyond the Box is offering 0% interest installment plans. This is both through major credit cards, Home Credit, and GCash’s GGives.

Reservations can be made through all Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, and open_sources branches nationwide.

Alternatively, the MacBook Neo is available through beyondthebox.ph, Lazada, and Shopee. It is priced at PhP 33,990 (education) and PhP 39,990 (retail).

Apple MacBook Neo

The Apple MacBook Neo is the company’s latest laptop, which is also its most affordable. It retails at just about US$ 499 to US$ 599 in the United States and SG$ 729 to SG$ 849 in Singapore.

It runs on an A18 Pro chip for 50% faster everyday performance compared to Intel Core Ultra 5-level PCs. This chip also has a 16-core Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence and 5-core GPU for graphics workloads.

The portable and lightweight laptop has a 13-inch 2408 x 1506 display, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.

The MacBook Neo ships with MacOS Tahoe, complete with apps like Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime. Users are promised up to 16 hours of usage on a single charge.

Gaming

Razer Blade 16 (2026) packs more cores, faster memory

Razer’s thinnest gaming laptop yet

Published

March 26, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Razer has officially unveiled the 2026 version of its Blade 16, doubling down on what it does best: squeezing high-end performance into an ultra-slim chassis.

This year’s refresh focuses on meaningful internal upgrades. That includes a new Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, faster LPDDR5X memory, and NVIDIA’s latest RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs — all while keeping the Blade 16 as the thinnest gaming laptop in Razer’s lineup.

Performance gets a serious bump

At the core of the new Blade 16 is the Intel Core Ultra 9 386H, featuring 16 cores and up to 4.9GHz boost clock. Razer claims a 33% increase in core count versus the previous generation, translating to stronger performance across gaming, content creation, and AI workloads.

There’s also an integrated NPU capable of up to 50 TOPS, enabling faster on-device AI tasks like image generation and live translation.

Memory gets a notable upgrade too. The Blade 16 now supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM, which Razer positions as the fastest available in a laptop today. The result: quicker responsiveness for heavy multitasking, creative apps, and AI-assisted workflows.

On the graphics side, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 50 Series (Blackwell architecture) brings DLSS 4 and enhanced AI capabilities for both gaming and creator use cases.

Display and design stay premium

Razer isn’t fixing what isn’t broken. The Blade 16 retains its signature CNC-milled aluminum chassis, measuring just 14.9mm thick and weighing around 2.14kg.

The display remains a highlight. You get a 16-inch QHD+ OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, now brighter and certified for VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000. It supports full DCI-P3 coverage, Calman calibration, and NVIDIA G-SYNC, making it just as suited for creators as it is for competitive gaming.

Battery life and efficiency improve

Despite the performance gains, Razer is also pushing efficiency. Thanks to Intel’s newer architecture and system-level optimizations, the Blade 16 can hit up to 13 hours of productivity use and up to 15 hours of video playback under ideal conditions.

That’s a notable improvement for a machine in this class, especially given its slim form factor.

Connectivity and audio step up

The 2026 Blade 16 gets a future-ready connectivity suite, including Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6.0. There’s also a full set of ports, from USB-A to HDMI 2.1 and an SD card reader.

Audio gets an upgrade too. The six-speaker system now supports THX Spatial Audio+ with virtual 7.1.4 surround, aiming to deliver more immersive sound both on speakers and headphones.

Price and availability

The Razer Blade 16 configured with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 (16GB VRAM) and 32GB LPDDR5X-9600MHz RAM is priced at US$3,499.99 / €3,599.99 MSRP.

It is available now, exclusively via Razer.com and select RazerStores worldwide.

Still the Blade, just sharper

At a glance, the 2026 Blade 16 doesn’t reinvent the formula. But under the hood, it pushes performance, memory speed, and efficiency forward in ways that matter.

It’s still the same idea: a no-compromise gaming laptop that looks like it belongs in a minimalist workspace — just faster, smarter, and a bit more future-proof this time around.

Laptops

ASUS launches Zenbook DUO and S14 in the Philippines

Plus, the ZenBook A16 is coming soon.

Published

March 25, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

At CES 2026, ASUS unveiled an exciting lineup of notebooks headed for launch throughout the year. Earlier this month, the brand finally launched the latest Zenbooks built for maximum portability. Now, ASUS has released the new Zenbook S16 and S14, plus the new Zenbook DUO, in the Philippines.

Zenbook S16, S14

Much like its predecessor, the latest Zenbook S16 is designed for ultra portability. In terms of thinness, the notebook measures only 1.1 centimeters. Plus, it weighs only 1.5 kilograms, making it a perfect addition to your daily kit. The Zenbook S14, on the other hand, weighs only 1.1 kilograms.

As is always expected from the Zenbook S lineup, both laptops will have a tactile Ceraluminum lid, bolstered by an EasyLift hinge for ease of use. It will also have an ErgoSense keyboard with dished keycaps.

The 16- and 14-inch 3K ASUS Lumina OLED screen has touchscreen capabilities and a refresh rate of 120Hz. For audio, the S16 has a six-speaker Dolby Atmos system, including four front-firing tweeters and dual woofers. The S14 has four speakers.

Under the hood, the Zenbook S16 will sport an AMD Ryzen AI 9 465 chipset, while the Zenbook S14 has an Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 3 processor.

For battery, the S16 will have an 83 Wh battery, which can reportedly last over 21 hours, and the S14 has a 77 Wh battery.

Zenbook DUO

If portability isn’t your main focus, the new Zenbook DUO packs in two screens in one device. Though it packs a bit more punch the Zenbook S series, the dual-screen notebook still weighs only 1.65 kilograms.

The Zenbook DUO features the newest Intel Core Ultra 9 Series 3 processor, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 1TB of internal storage. This time, both screens have anti-reflective coating for a better viewing experience.

As with the previous generations of the DUO, this iteration comes with a detachable keyboard and a four different use cases including dual screen, laptop, desktop, and sharing modes.

Powering the beast is a huge 99Wh battery. ASUS says that this is the most they can pack inside without getting users in trouble at the airport.

Zenbook 14

To be clear, this is different from the Zenbook S14, but it bears a striking resemblance to that previous notebook, both in terms of design and hardware. For one, the new Zenbook 14 is 14.9mm thin and only 1.2kg light.

The 14-inch screen carries a WUXGA ASUS Lumina OLED display, putting out images in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The notebook also has an Ergosense keyboard and touchpad for more comfortable typing and more precise controls.

Under the hood, the Zenbook 14 trades the S14’s Intel chip for an AMD Ryzen AI 7 445 processor, capable of up to 50 TOPS. It will also have 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

For battery, the notebook will have a 75 Wh battery, reportedly capable of lasting over 15 hours of unplugged use.

Zenbook A16

Embodying the spirit of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” the brand is also introducing a modest upgrade to the Zenbook A series.

The new Zenbook A16 is only 1.2 kilograms in weight. Plus, with a 70Wh battery, the notebook can remain unplugged and outside for an entire day. The A16 comes with a 16-inch 3K 120Hz OLED screen and the Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme.

Price, availability in the Philippines

The Zenbook S16 comes in Scandinavian White and starts at PhP 134,995. Meanwhile, the Zenbook S14 comes in Antrim Gray and sells for PhP 129,995.

The Zenbook DUO comes in Moher Gray and starts at PhP 179,995.

Meanwhile, the Zenbook 14 comes in Jade Black and sells for PhP 79,995.

Finally, the Zenbook A16 is coming soon.