M5 MacBook Air review: Still the best MacBook for almost everybody

The M5 MacBook Air earns the 'best MacBook for almost everybody' crown in Ars Technica's review, powered by a 20% faster CPU than the M4 model and 30% better GPU performance. It's a no-brainer update for anyone still clinging to an Intel-era machine, as it outperforms #3 by delivering twice the battery life at 18 hours versus 9. The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display supports 500 nits of brightness, making it brighter than the average laptop screen. Starting at $1,099, it's cheaper than the typical rival from Dell or Microsoft, yet matches their performance metrics.