MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air

Specs side by side at each model's entry configuration, with the cheapest crypto price for each.

20 of 29 specs differ across these 2.

SpecMacBook ProAPL-MBP14-M5PRO-24-512from $2,249MacBook AirAPL-MBA15-M5-16-256from $1,274
Chip & memory
ChipApple M5 ProApple M5
CPU cores12Best10
GPU cores20Best10
Neural Engine cores1616
Unified memory24 GBBest16 GB
Memory bandwidth300 GB/sBest120 GB/s
Storage
Storage512 GBBest256 GB
Storage typeNVMe SSDNVMe SSD
Display
Screen size14.2"15.3"
PanelLiquid Retina XDR mini-LEDLiquid Retina IPS
Resolution3024 × 19642880 × 1864
Refresh rate120 HzBest60 Hz
Peak brightness1600 nitsBest500 nits
Ports & wireless
Thunderbolt ports3Best2
Thunderbolt version5Best4
HDMI Yes No
SDXC card slot Yes No
Headphone jack Yes Yes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth6.06.0
Camera & sound
Camera12 MP Center Stage12 MP Center Stage
SpeakersSix-speaker, Spatial AudioSix-speaker, Spatial Audio
Power & body
Battery72.4 WhBest66.5 Wh
Battery life22 hBest18 h
Weight1.55 kg1.51 kgBest
Dimensions (mm)312.6 × 221.2 × 15.5340.4 × 237.6 × 11.5
Software & options
Operating systemmacOS 27macOS 27
FinishesSpace Black, SilverMidnight, Starlight, Silver, Sky Blue
Extended warranty available Yes Yes

Questions

What is the difference between the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air?

20 of the 29 specs we track differ at their base configurations. The table above marks every one, and flags the better value wherever a spec has a better direction.

Which is cheaper?

MacBook Air from $1,274 — $975 less than the MacBook Pro. Both are the cheapest total, shipping included, for the entry configuration.

Are you comparing the same configurations?

Each model is shown at its entry configuration, which is the only fair basis for a like-for-like table. Open either product to switch memory, storage or chip and see how its price moves.