In a bumper week of launches, Apple has just unveiled its latest MacBook Air series.

As the MacBook Air now sports the same M5 chip as the MacBook Pro, what really separates the laptops? Do you really need to spend more on the MacBook Pro?

To help you decide which laptop to should go for, we’ve compared the specs of the MacBook Air M5 and Pro M5 below. 

We should disclaim that we’ll be looking solely at the MacBook Pro M5 specs, and not the recently announced M5 Pro or M5 Max. However, if you’re interested to learn more about the new chips in the MacBook Pro, then visit MacBook Pro M5 Pro vs M5 Max instead. 

Keep reading to see which MacBook will likely suit your needs best. Otherwise, make sure you visit our MacBook Neo vs MacBook Air M5 guide to see whether Apple’s affordable option is a better fit for you. 

Not sold on a MacBook? Our list of the best laptops from the past year has you covered.

Price and Availability

At the time of writing, you can pre-order the MacBook Air M5 ahead of its official launch from March 11th. Available in four colours (Sky Blue, Silver, Midnight and Starlight), the MacBook Air M5 has a starting price of £1099/$1099. 

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The MacBook Pro M5 is available in just two colours (Silver and Space Black) and has a starting price of £1699/$1699. 

MacBook Air has a choice between two sizes

The MacBook Air M5 comes as either a 13- or 15-inch model, while the MacBook Pro M5 sits firmly between the two at 14-inches. Although the MacBook Air 15-inch is the largest, the heaviest of the lot is actually the MacBook Pro which weighs 1.55kg.

With this in mind, if one of the most important factors in choosing a laptop is its portability, then the MacBook Air series will likely suit you best. In fact, the 13-inch MacBook Air isn’t just the smallest of the lot, but at just 1.23kg it’s impressively lightweight too – making it easy to slip into a bag.

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Both run on Apple’s M5 chip

As their titles suggest, Apple’s current flagship MacBook Air and MacBook Pro run on the M5 chip. While we’re yet to review the chip, Apple promises that the chip delivers “incredible performance for everything users want to tackle, from everyday productivity to creative workflows.”

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Do keep in mind that the default 13-inch MacBook Air comes with an 8-core GPU whereas the 15-inch model and MacBook Pro have a 10-core GPU by default. You can upgrade the 13-inch to a 10-core, but this will cost an additional £100/$100. 

Otherwise, the M5 chip enables the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro to run the entire Apple Intelligence toolkit too.

MacBook Pro promises a longer battery life

The MacBook Pro not only claims a longer battery life between charges than the MacBook Air series, but it also promises faster charging too. That’s a pretty noteworthy claim, as Apple has never been a brand known for its speedy charging ability.

So, while the MacBook Air promises up to 15 hours of wireless web and up to 18 hours of video streaming, the MacBook Pro should see up to 16 hours of web and up to a whopping 24 hours of streaming too. We’re yet to put these claims to the test, but they undoubtedly sound impressive.

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In addition, the MacBook Pro is fast-charge capable when paired with a 96W or higher power source. The MacBook Air, on the other hand, supports 70W instead. 

Again, we’re yet to see how long the laptops really take the charge, but it’s certainly a promising upgrade.

MacBook Pro has more ports

Apple has taken a “less is more” approach when it comes to supplying the MacBook Air series with ports, which is undoubtedly a shame. That means both the 13- and 15-inch laptops are equipped with just two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a MagSafe charger. This is more or less the same as the MacBook Neo, although the affordable laptop’s USB-Cs aren’t Thunderbolt 4. 

Instead, the MacBook Pro is equipped with everything found on the MacBook Air plus an additional Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, a HDMI and an SDXC card slot too. It might not be as well equipped as the likes of Asus ProArt P16 or Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Pro, but it’s certainly an improvement over the MacBook Air.

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MacBook Pro has a Liquid Retina XDR display

Arguably one of the main reasons to opt for the MacBook Pro is its display. While the MacBook Air’s Liquid Retina display promises up to 500 nits brightness, supports the P3 wide colour gamut and True Tone technology, the MacBook Pro’s own panel has a few extra features up its sleeve.

Firstly, the MacBook Pro sports a Liquid Retina XDR display which also supports the P3 wide colour gamut and True Tone technology. However, the panel also benefits from 3024×1964 pixels, up to 1600 nits peak HDR brightness and ProMotion technology. Essentially, this means the MacBook Pro has an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate which means streaming, scrolling and games look and feel smoother. The MacBook Air instead caps out at just 60Hz. 

Finally, you’ll also have the option to kit the MacBook Pro with a nano-texture coating which helps to reduce glare and reflections. Although it will cost an additional £150/$150, it’s something we would recommend investing in, as we found the coating in the MacBook Pro M4 was brilliant, and made looking at the screen for longer periods that bit easier.

Early Verdict

Judging by its specs, the MacBook Air M5 seems like a brilliant alternative to the MacBook Pro M5, for those who want a powerful laptop but for a cheaper price. However, you’ll have to keep in mind that you will miss out on the more generous port selection, a Liquid Retina XDR display and longer battery life.

We’ll update this versus once we review both the MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro M5.

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There’s a lot to love about popcorn: the crunch, its customizable nature and especially the fact that it’s a great source of fiber. Plus, it’s even healthier if you air-pop it without using any oil. But if you, like me and don’t have a popcorn maker, you’re likely to make it in a pot on the stove.

However, the last time I made popcorn, I looked over at my air fryer and wondered if I could pop popcorn in it. When I went online to search for an answer, I couldn’t find a conclusive response, so I decided to reach out to an air fryer manufacturer and professional chefs for their expert advice.

Experts weigh in on air fryer popcorn

I reached out to Ninja, makers of the Ninja Crispi, CNET’s pick for the best air fryer overall. While the air fryer is a versatile appliance that can even roast a whole chicken, it can’t pop popcorn — yet. 

Well, technically it can, but that doesn’t mean it should.

“At Ninja, we’re always testing the boundaries of what our technology can do, and popcorn in an air fryer is something our culinary and product development teams have explored. However, we advise against trying to make popcorn in an air fryer,” a Ninja Kitchen representative tells CNET. “Air fryers circulate heat differently than traditional popcorn makers, which means kernels don’t reach the sustained heat needed in the required time.”

Because popcorn is lightweight, Sharniquia White, chef and registered dietitian, explains that if you try to make it in an air fryer, it can fly up into the device’s heating element, get stuck near the fan, burn from uneven airflow and leave you with a frustrating amount of unpopped kernels. All cons, no pros. 

Given the safety hazards and unsatisfying results, you’ll want to avoid using an air fryer for popcorn. At least until the technology catches up. 

Pro chefs on the best way to make popcorn

Since the air fryer is out for popcorn, I asked my chef sources for their recommendations on making the best popcorn. 

White says that the stovetop wins every time if you want a fluffy texture, rich flavor and full expansion of your kernels. She provides these handy instructions for getting the best results:

1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil in a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium heat.
2. Add 2-3 kernels to test if the oil is hot enough. When they pop, add ½ cup kernels.
3. Cover and gently shake the pot occasionally.
4. Remove from heat when popping slows.
5. You control the oil, the salt and the outcome.

However, if you make popcorn all the time, plant-based chef Shauna McQueen, MS, RD, founder of Food School, recommends purchasing a low-cost pan with a lid you can crank to move the popcorn kernels around. 

“The other option is automatic and will self-stir the kernels,” McQueen adds. “I’ve used both and have had to replace both within a few years of use, but find the automatic one most convenient.”

As for the healthiest way to make popcorn…

“If you’re reaching for the air fryer because you want to use less oil, you’re thinking in the right direction,” White says. “However, an inexpensive air popper or a measured stovetop method is more reliable and safer. Popcorn is already a whole-grain, fiber-rich snack. The goal isn’t to eliminate oil entirely; it’s to be intentional about how much you use and what you add.”

Whether you pop it on the stove or buy a device that air-pops your popcorn, it’s best to avoid microwave popcorn. According to McQueen, it may contain additives like TBHQ, which is used to extend the shelf life of processed foods. While the FDA considers it safe in appropriate amounts, it has been linked to potential health issues.

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The healthiest popcorn toppings

If extra flavor is what you’re after, McQueen suggests the following anti-inflammatory toppings: curry powder, cayenne, garlic powder or chili powder. For a cheesy flavor plus B-vitamins, opt for nutritional yeast. Her favorites include a curry-style popcorn made with curry powder, garlic powder and a small amount of nutritional yeast; chili powder with lime and za’atar; or everything bagel seasoning. 

As for White, she likes adding smoked paprika, cinnamon with a pinch of salt, fresh lime zest and sea salt or dried dill, “for an unexpected herb twist.”

The bottom line

Though it’s tempting, you shouldn’t make popcorn in your air fryer. Instead, use what you already have on hand and prepare it on the stovetop. 

If you can’t get enough of the stuff and make it all the time, consider these options that are under $50: a stovetop popcorn maker or an oil-free air popper.

Either way, to keep your popcorn as healthy as possible, go light on the oil, butter and salt. Personally, I’ll be topping mine with chili powder, lime and za’atar next time my popcorn craving strikes, which will likely be in a few minutes after writing this tasty piece. 

There’s a reason we’re called WIRED. If there’s one thing most of today’s gadgets have in common, it’s that they typically need to be plugged in from time to time. But all those cables, cords, and wires can be tough to manage. They don’t have to end up in a tangled nest under your desk; you can bring order to the cable chaos.

As a gadget reviewer, I have more cords than most people, which is why I also have a regimented cable management strategy to keep everything orderly. Here are my tips and product recommendations for hiding those cords and power strips, and keeping your desktop tidy.

Planning and Prep

Start by surveying the scene, unplugging and untangling everything, and removing anything that doesn’t need to be there. You might be surprised to find a stray USB-B or Micro-USB you haven’t used in years in the mix. Before you get started on cable management, take a slightly damp microfiber cloth and wipe down all the surfaces and cables. Now, you can start planning routes and figuring out which cables it would make sense to bundle together.

Ideally, cables will be the exact required length, so if you have spares or you don’t mind snagging some new cables, it’s worth switching and getting as close as possible to exact lengths to reduce the excess cable you have to hide. If you have a standing desk, remember to take into account the cable length required for a standing position (trust me, dear reader, it’s no fun when you hit stand on the desk and it pulls your PC tower into the air by a DisplayPort cable that is now forever stuck in that port).

Cable Management

Tidying your tech often comes back to cable management, but there are several ways to keep those cords neatly out of sight. Many desks have channels, grommets, and power strip trays built-in, so have a quick look to make sure you’re using what’s available. Some monitor arms also have built-in cable management. You also likely have a bunch of cable ties in your junk drawer or toolbox, so gather them together.

When Dr Steve Boyes first saw himself in Werner Herzog’s new film Ghost Elephants at the Venice International Film Festival in August last year, he saw an intensity within himself that he didn’t always realize was there.

The conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer has devoted the past decade of his life to finding a mysterious, elusive herd of elephants in the highlands of Angola with such dedication that it immediately caught the attention of Herzog, who has since chronicled the epic journey in a National Geographic documentary.