Last year, Qualcomm acquired Arduino, a company known for its tinker-friendly microcontroller kits and single board computers (SBC). The first product to follow was the Uno Q, which was powerful enough to run Linux. Now comes a much more capable device that is tailor-built for AI applications, robotics, security, education and research.
The Uno Q had a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 702 GPU, which shared 4GB of RAM. Lightweight AI tasks could run on the CPU and GPU.
The new Arduino Ventuno Q is a very different beast. For one, it’s powered by the Dragonwing IQ-8275 (PDF)...
Last year, Qualcomm acquired Arduino, a company known for its tinker-friendly microcontroller kits and single board computers (SBC). The first product to follow was the Uno Q, which was powerful enough to run Linux. Now comes a much more capable device that is tailor-built for AI applications, robotics, security, education and research.
The Uno Q had a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU and an Adreno 702 GPU, which shared 4GB of RAM. Lightweight AI tasks could run on the CPU and GPU.
The new Arduino Ventuno Q is a very different beast. For one, it’s powered by the Dragonwing IQ-8275 (PDF)...
After weeks of leaks and rumours, the vivo V70 FE has finally gone official. The smartphone has been launched in Indonesia and features a large 7,000mAh battery along with a dual rear camera setup headlined by a 200MP primary sensor.
The vivo V70 FE features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,900 nits of peak brightness. It also offers HDR10+ support and is a 10-bit Q10+ panel.
It is powered by the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo SoC, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The handset runs Android...
After weeks of leaks and rumours, the vivo V70 FE has finally gone official. The smartphone has been launched in Indonesia and features a large 7,000mAh battery along with a dual rear camera setup headlined by a 200MP primary sensor.
The vivo V70 FE features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,900 nits of peak brightness. It also offers HDR10+ support and is a 10-bit Q10+ panel.
It is powered by the 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7360-Turbo SoC, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. The handset runs Android...
Germany is the arena for yet another legal battle between tech giants – Samsung Electronics just won a case against TCL over “fake QLED” TVs.
Quantum dots are used in certain display types for improved efficiency and color accuracy. For example, some Samsung TVs use ultraviolet backlight. Ultraviolet LEDs are very efficient, but UV isn’t even in the visible spectrum. Quantum dots absorb this UV light and output visible light in the desired color. An additional advantage to this approach is that quantum dots are much easier to tune to an exact wavelength of light than a typical...
Alongside heroic questing and tear-evoking character arcs, an integral part of any RPG experience is the grinding. From prancing around fields in search of herbs to trawling caves for high-level beasties, this inevitable practice makes up a sizable chunk of any save file.
Review info
Platform reviewed: PC Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC Release date: March 13, 2026
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the latest addition to Capcom’s beloved creature-catching dynasty, doesn’t shy away from this reality, providing moreish mechanical loops and plenty of side stories as you explore its glorious fantasy adventure.
Set in the pastoral kingdom of Azuria, you play as the prince or, in my case, the princess of the land, who, on top of their royal duties, acts as the leader of the Rangers, a group of eco-conscious warriors who maintain the land.
One day, during a routine realm-protecting venture, a group of troops from the less-than-thriving neighbouring kingdom of Vermeil is spotted, leading to a tense standoff between the two nations. What ensues is a complex action-packed role-playing game (RPG) that leads the regal heir to the throne down a pithy rabbit hole, opening up questions about their past as they venture beyond the edges of their home in search of answers.
One more troubling wrinkle here is that on top of the bureaucratic chaos, rogue monsters are becoming infected with a strange crystal sickness that turns them into raging, psychopathic beasts – very unfortunate timing. Over the runtime, these dual investigations start to intertwine, with Twisted Reflection culminating in an emotional finale I thoroughly enjoyed working towards.
A heavy helping of exposition and a host of time-consuming tutorials mean this expedition starts off slow, and seasoned Monster Hunter Stories players will likely need to button mash through much of this to get to the juicy turn-based meat. Still, if you’re new to the IP or this turn-based iteration, you’ll be well taken care of here.
The Wild Hunt
(Image credit: Capcom)
Unlike the mainline Monster Hunter series, Stories switches up combat, cleverly adapting the high-octane experience into a much more friendly turn-based one.
You’ll still need to target specific body parts of monsters, and use the right weapon to break foot bones, puncture inflatable necks, and break down health bars until the monster stops budging. Notably, you’ll have plenty of time to decide how to deconstruct your prey without fear of them running off or slaughtering you mercilessly. Important disclaimer, though — even with the extra time on your side, they still might.
In combat, you control yourself and your monster, sharing hearts in the process, though you’ll often fight with compatriots from the Rangers team, too. Each member specialises in a type of support, with the adorable pink-haired Thea offering a higher critical hit rate with the caveat of lower defence, where the chiselled Gaul tends to heal up your party with his utility belt of items.
Picking a solid ally is extremely important to success, especially as you face more feral opponents down the line. While you’ll inevitably stumble along the way to finding your perfect match, the process is gratifying nonetheless, with failure never feeling too punishing.
Best bit
(Image credit: Capcom)
Nurturing digital pets can be hard work, but it’s extremely fulfilling. Twisted Reflection provides another opportunity for players to raise a lineage of virtual beings, procuring them in egg form and coaching them to become lovable killing machines. With six menacing protege pets in your pocket, you can name, train, and gleefully ride them acrossshifting horizons, bonding with your new buddies all the while.
As you can tell, I thoroughly enjoyed Twisted Reflections’ combat, and, beyond the expected elemental attacks, buffs, debuffs, and stamina bar to contend with, there is a standout feature here – the attack type system.
A carryover from the previous Monster Hunter Stories games, this system plays a lot like rock, paper, scissors, but instead of losing to a friend, your life is on the line. During a battle, you and your prey have a chance to target each other, leading to a nerve-racking head-to-head.
If you correctly guess the beast's type – between Power, Technical, and Speed – and deal the opposing damage type, you have a chance to boost your destructive power. However, if you lose, you’ll take more damage as a result. The more you fend off enemies, the more you’ll get a feel for countering attacks, which leads to a satisfying cycle that encourages you to take risks and bet on yourself.
Combat is more than just a means to an XP end, though, and you’ll also earn some handy monster parts which can be crafted into gear to fortify your stats. From a technical perspective, I found great joy in recycling guts and scales into bows and armour, with beloved monsters like the Chatacabra and Nerscylla reimagined into stylish defensive garb and weapons.
Perhaps the greatest aspect of this process, though, is that what you craft carries the visual markers of monster parts, too. Ergo, if you cook up the leftovers from a fight with a Kut Kut into gear, your fit will have a distinct orange-scaled look. There’s a lot to love about these hectic designs, particularly as the outfit you choose will show up in cutscenes, leading to some unintentionally hilarious interactions.
What’s most important, though, is that it provides you with a reason to go out and hunt specific creatures beyond story progression and XP alone, which is important as you glide towards the challenging late game.
Dragon Quest
(Image credit: Capcom)
Over the course of this expansive journey, you’ll venture into fresh biomes like jungles and deserts, sneaking peeks and battling against a wider variety of creatures. If you aren’t familiar with Monster Hunter, the series has always made an effort to ensure the eponymous monsters feel at home where you find them, and I’m happy to note that Twisted Reflection is no different.
Where the lakes and rivers of each biome house aquatic creatures like the salamander-esque Ludthroth or bulldog-faced Somnacanth, the plains feature packs of scrappy scavengers like the Velocidrome. These touches ensure the world has a lived-in feel, as if it existed long before you decided to drop in and start swinging your sword.
It’s clever that the creatures in your party are held to the same standard, and to reach the peaks and valleys of each area, you’ll have to switch between rides – your winged steed isn’t going to take a dip just because you want to collect some herbs. It’s a shame, then, that the platforming can be extremely hit-and-miss.
I lost count of how many times I fell off a solid edge, plummeting from tree stumps or slipping off a vertical cliff, only to have to scale whole mountains again. Invisible walls appear out of nowhere, too, swiftly taking you out of the fantasy. Given all the intentionally immersive features, it’s a shame that a game so geared toward exploration struggles to make the process fun in the long term.
(Image credit: Capcom)
Side quests appear periodically across the saga, bolstering the story by reminding you that, on top of the impending threat of crystallised super monsters, you have a duty as a ranger, too. The missions are fairly simple fetch quests for the most part, sending you off to find specific monster eggs or herbs with some cute moments peppered in.
Thankfully, there are more focused friendship quests to complete, too, that feel much more thoughtfully written and allow you to embed in Twisted Reflection’s world and build richer relationships with the other rangers in your squad. Here you’ll get to know Kora, the tough warrior with a harrowing history, and Ogden, a warm if not eccentric father figure within the group.
If you don’t complete them as they appear, the story's pacing goes off kilter a touch, and you’ll find yourself warped back to maps that you almost certainly shouldn’t be visiting in context to the story at large. Still, if you can suspend your disbelief, the stories are silly and heartwarming, bolstered by spirited vocal performances from the game’s cast.
Should you play Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection?
Play it if...
You’re looking for a lengthy RPG set in a rich fantasy land Monster Hunter 3 Stories: Twisted Reflection is a fantastic adventure, flush with fantasy fetch quests and heartwarming side stories to boot. Completionists will have hours upon hours of content at their fingertips.
You like the lore of the Monster Hunter series, but don’t love the speedy combat Monster Hunter Stories trades the real-time combat of the mainline series for a much more approachable turn-based system. While there are quick-time events in battle, there is still ample time to react if you’re an anxious player.
Don't play it if...
You aren’t keen on grinding for XP While there are plenty of side quests to check out, as well as a rogues' gallery of monsters to find, inevitably, you will need to grind out battles to level up your team. It’s not egregious by any means, but it is a core part of the experience.
Accessibility features
You can access Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection’s settings anytime from the pause menu. There’s a Controller and Mouse and Keyboard submenu where you can rebind keys for traversal, battling, and cutscenes to suit your preferences. In the Options submenu is you can toggle font size for subtitles and adjust cutscene dialogue to display speaker names. You can also adjust your minimap to rotate with the camera's orientation or remain fixed.
Where objectives are concerned, you can tweak the quest marker to always be on and choose to have a caution icon appear when you approach monsters of a much higher level than you own. Those struggling in combat can also choose to have a hint message appear if they lose in certain battles.
(Image credit: Capcom)
How I reviewed Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
We played Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection’s main campaign on PC for over fifty hours. During that time, we invested in the side quests, Ranger stories, and the habitat rehabilitation portion of the game, in addition to the main questline.
It was completed on a Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 (RTX 5070) with the internal speakers for audio. A mouse and keyboard were used intermittently, while the campaign was primarily played with an Xbox Wireless Controller.
Oppo has finally announced the launch date for its upcoming flagship foldable, the Find N6. Alongside, the company has also revealed the phone’s colors and RAM/storage configurations. The handset is also available for pre-order in China.
The Oppo Find N6 will be unveiled on March 17 in China as well as select global markets.
In China, the foldable will be offered in Golden Orange, Deep Black, and Original Titanium color options. However, the device is expected to be available globally only in the Golden Orange and Original Titanium finishes.
Oppo Find N6 in Deep Black...
It's safe to say the MacBook Air 13-inch M5 is every bit as good as its M4 predecessor, but a little faster. The differences are so scant, in fact, that I could simply direct you to my now year-old MacBook Air M4 review, and just note here that the M5 chip makes Apple's latest, and sure to be quite popular, ultraportable both faster and more efficient.
However, I'm not that lazy. I've spent considerable time with this attractive, well-built, ready-for-almost-anything (and a solid day of it) ultraportable laptop, and I have some thoughts.
The MacBook Air is one of the most popular laptops out there for a reason. Apple has found a winning aluminum slab design that mixes a lightweight (2.7lbs) chassis with a stunning 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, and 18 hours of battery life (promised for streaming video only).
While Apple didn't touch the design, or any external materials and components, it was inevitable that its fastest class of Apple silicon would find its way into the new Air, along with the new N1 chip, which readies the MacBook Air for the growing proliferation of WiFi 7 hubs and brings it up to speed with the latest Bluetooth 6 capabilities.
If there is a downside to this update, it's the new starting price. Over the years, the MacBook Air has bounced around the $1,000 mark, dropping just below and then rising up a hundred dollars or so. Now it's back to $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799, but I'm actually okay with this change, because the Air finally starts with a half terabyte of storage (for the record, my test system arrived with 1TB 👀); that's double the 256GB we've been getting, without a huge leap in price. And, as a bonus, the storage speed is faster than on the M4 MacBook Air.
So, while having to pay a little more for the best ultraportable you can buy is not good news, the upsides far outweigh the hit to your bank balance.
The MacBook Air 13-inch M5 does have several other notable, though not new, features, like the 12MP Center Stage camera, a backlit keyboard that feels wonderful to use, the highly responsive ForceTouch trackpad, Thunderbolt 4 ports, and macOS 26 (a.k.a. Tahoe). I know Liquid Glass divides opinion, but I think it's elegant and I like it. Yes, there's also Apple Intelligence, but I'm still not fully sold on its utility.
All in all, while I don't think you need to trade in your M4 Air for this new model, it's a worthwhile upgrade from your clamshell MacBook Air M1; and it will, like its predecessor sit atop our best ultraportables list.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: Price and availability
Starts at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799
Costs more than the M4, but there's hidden value
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Apple unveiled the MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) on March 3, 2025, and the laptop starts shipping on March 11.
Those shopping for the latest MacBook Air will likely notice the price hike on this 13-inch model and wonder what gives. Yes, it has an incrementally faster piece of Apple silicon (M5), but I'd attribute the $100 / £100 / AU$100 hike to the new base storage level. The 13-inch MacBook Air M5 starts with 512GB of storage, double the starting SSD of previous models. It's a non-insignificant change and, as I've written, 256GB was simply not enough in what for many users is a workhorse portable.
In addition to the option of buying a larger, 15-inch MacBook Air (heavier and more expensive, but with a substantially larger screen), the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 comes in a variety of configurations, including my 10-core GPU test model, up to 32GB of memory, and up to 4TB of storage (the previous limit was 2TB).
It’s available in Sky Blue, Midnight, Starlight, and Silver. Sadly, there are no new colors this year, although that may only be an issue if you let the new day-glo Citrus MacBook Neo turn your head.
Price score: 4.5/5
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: Specs
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) comes in three pre-configured options.
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) base configuration (reviewed):
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) mid configuration (reviewed):
MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) top configuration:
Price:
$1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,799
$1,199 / £1,199
$1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,399
CPU:
Apple M5 (10-core)
Apple M5 (10-core)
Apple M5 (10-core)
Graphics:
Integrated 8-core GPU
Integrated 10-core GPU
Integrated 10-core GPU
RAM:
16GB unified memory (up to 32GB)
16GB unified memory (up to 32GB)
24GB unified memory (Up to 32GB)
Screen:
13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display (500 nits sustained brightness, wide color P3 gamut, True Tone technology)
13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display (500 nits sustained brightness, wide color P3 gamut, True Tone technology)
13.6-inch, 2560 x 1664 Liquid Retina display (500 nits sustained brightness, wide color P3 gamut, True Tone technology)
You could be forgiven if you had trouble telling the difference between this new 13-inch MacBook Air M5 and the M4 model. They are, for all intents and purposes, identical. Still, this is a winning design. The body is made of recycled aluminum that feels premium and smooth to the touch, but also strong enough to get dumped in your backpack or slapped onto a desktop without suffering any damage. My 1TB review unit arrived in Starlight, which is not my favorite color (I'd have chosen Sky Blue), but then the chassis hue is not the primary reason why you'd buy a MacBook Air.
MacBook Airs will never be the cheapest laptop (there's now the Neo to hit that spot), but they all have the same premium design and build. The backlit keyboard is expansive, and with good, satisfying travel. I love typing on it; in fact, I'm using it right now to write this review. Included in the keyboard is the Touch ID sleep button, a useful biometric device for unlocking the laptop, signing into services and apps, and making purchases. It took me just a moment to register my index finger (though I can register more).
The Force Touch trackpad offers an expansive, almost 6-inch, canvas for interaction without ever getting in the way. As a haptic device, it doesn't actually move, but it does a remarkable job of fooling you into thinking it does.
The ports and speakers are also unchanged from the previous model. On the left side are a pair of Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, which are great for extending the screen to a new Studio Display or other monitor, or for high-speed data transfer (the Pro model gets you Thunderbolt 5 ports).
Next to those ports is the MagSafe charger, a magnetic port that makes it almost impossible to accidentally drag the laptop off a desk by kicking the charging cable. Opposite those ports is the 3.5mm audio jack. The four-speaker system sits in the hinge, and provides loud and clear audio that supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos. The 15-inch model ups the speaker count to six.
Perhaps the best demonstration of the MacBook Air's elegance and design is how you can open it with just a fingertip. The laptop is so perfectly machined and balanced that all I have to do is place a fingertip under the lip and above the 1.5-inch-wide-carve-out in the base and lift — even without me holding it, the base stays put.
Design score: 5/5
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: Display and Center Stage
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Over the years, I've gotten used to the notch at the top of the MacBook Air's lovely 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display. When using most apps, the space, which is used to house the Center Stage Camera, a light sensor, and an LED Indicator, only breaks into the menu system. Streaming content, games, and the majority of apps, are displayed in the rectangular space below it. If you really feel like you're losing a lot of space, you might consider the 15-inch MacBook Air instead.
(Image credit: Future)
Overall, though, this is an excellent LED-backlit, high-resolution (2560 x 1664) display, full of rich colors (a promised one billion, though I can't say that I counted), rich contrast, and 500 nits of brightness. I've used MacBook Air outdoors, and while it might struggle in direct sunlight, using it in shade is no problem at all.
The 13.6 -inch display is ample space for one or more apps, and everything from macOS apps to movies and games, which look great on it. Images and text are crisp and clear, blacks are inky, and colors pop. I spend most of my work days looking at this screen, and I'm never disappointed.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Speaking of that notch, it does give you a decent webcam, the 12MP, 1080p Center Stage camera. It's called Center Stage because it can, if you allow, follow you around during your video conference. So if you like to stand up and walk around during your FaceTime calls, this camera is for you. The camera can also recognize gestures, and can launch reactions and emojis during the call.
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Unlike many modern Windows 11 ultraportables, and also unlike some more affordable laptops, the MacBook Air screen does not support touch. If you want to use a touchscreen within Apple's ecosystem, but still plan on doing desktop-style computing, I suggest you look at an iPad Air or iPad Pro running iPadOS 26 and paired with a Magic keyboard.
Display score: 4.5/5
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: macOS and Apple Intelligence
macOS Tahoe is a rich, deep, and well-organized platform
Liquid Glass
Apple Intelligence is of limited use
macOS Tahoe 26 is not only a rich, well-organized, and deeply thought-out operating system, it's a doorway to Apple's wide and varied ecosystem — the more Apple products you own, the more powerful it becomes.
With Liquid Glass, there's a consistent look and feel across everything from the MacBook Air 13 I'm testing to the iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPad Pro. However, the glassiness feels somewhat less aggressive on the MacBook Air, likely because it still has to look like a traditional Mac desktop.
(Image credit: Future)
The desktop is customizable, easy to manage (stacks are incredibly useful), and I like the widgets, especially that you can keep them black and white to reduce distractions.
Still, I love how I can mirror my iPhone and get notifications from it on my MacBook Air desktop, and with Universal Control, my trackpad and keyboard easily hop from one Apple screen to another. I found that not only could I control a neighboring iPad with the mouse and keyboard on my 13-inch MacBook Air, but I could do the same with two MacBooks sitting side-by-side.
Genmojis are fun, letting you create all kinds of customized emojis.FutureSent this to a friendFutureWriting tools may be one of the best parts of Apple IntelligenceFutureJust fixing up my test with AIFutureDon't I sound more professional?FutureImage Playground's capabilities pale in comparison to generative image tools I can find elsewhere.FutureAlso, why do I have hair?FutureCleanup, which lives in photos is definitely one of the more useful Apple Intelligence toolsLance Ulanoff / FutureI cleaned up some pie and whipped cream here.Lance Ulanoff / Future
Apple Intelligence does add some useful features like Writing tools to help you sound, say, more intelligent or friendlier in writing, including in Messages. For those who aren't as confident with their writing, this might be of some use. I can imagine other features like Live Translation might come in handy, especially if you work with global teams.
Clean Up in Photos is also a valuable enhancement, especially if you need to remove distractions from photos you want to share, post on social media, or print. Apple Intelligent can't, say, add a lifelike puppy to your photos (or really anything for that matter), but it will do its best to make sure that when you remove something, the revealed background still makes sense. One caveat here: this replacement only works if the object you remove isn't too big. It did a pretty good job when I removed a pie and some whipped cream from my photo of a holiday spread.
I do not get what the big deal is with Genmojis. Basic emojis are still good enough for me. I was similarly disenchanted with Image Playground.
Despite providing Image Playground with a good headshot of me, its output does not look much like me (it put hair on my head!). Also, Apple's insistence on sticking with cartoonish content creation seems ridiculous when you consider the image generation capabilities found on even the best smartphones.
Siri is obviously part of the system but still lacks the long-promised AI brain transplant. You can get wider answers via the ChatGPT integration, but Siri is still not the master of all things (inside the system and relating to you) that Apple's been promising. I, like many others, await the promised Gemini integration that will likely transform Siri on this MacBook Air and all other Siri-supporting Apple devices.
Software score: 4/5
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: Performance
M5 brings all the same power it put on display on the MacBook Pro
More and faster storage is a very welcome update
The MacBook Air M5 is truly a workhorse in ultraportable clothing
The MacBook Air M5 on the left and the MacBook Air M4 on the right. Both are running Geekbench (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Benchmarks
Here’s how the MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
Apple's MacBook Air line now lives between the new A18 Pro MacBook Neo and the high-performance, heavy-workload M5 Pro (or M5 Max) MacBook Pro. It's meant to be the laptop for every student and office worker who prioritizes portability and battery life over raw power.
(Note: my test system shipped with the 10-core CPU and 10 core GU, so your GPU scores may vary if you have an 8-Core GPU.)
Running light room on the MacBook Air M5 (left) and the MacBook Air M4 (right). (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
However, even in my early performance tests, I found the new 13-inch MacBook Air M5 more than capable of some pretty heavy-duty tasks.
I started by opening Lightroom and loading in some raw images. Then I launched Final Cut Pro and imported an 8K 30 fps video, and then made three copies and started editing a video where all four videos could play at once. Next, I loaded Pixelmater Pro and edited a photo. I also installed Chrome and opened 25 tabs (tuned to TechRadar, of course). After that, I installed and started playing Lies of P. Finally, I installed Steam and downloaded Inzoi, a rich, open-world SIM that sort of overwhelmed me with its choices and scope.
Inzoi (Image credit: Future)
The MacBook Air just kept going. At one point, I got a system message indicating that Inzoi was eating a lot of system processes and battery and that I should consider switching to low power, but when I exited the game, the battery was still near 90%. Overall, I found it difficult to stress the M5 and its 16GB of RAM.
Lies of P on the MacBook Air M5 (left) and MacBook M4 (right). (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
Perhaps more exciting for your day-to-day efforts, the MacBook Air line now starts with 512GB of storage, and faster storage at that.
I ran the BlackMagic Disk Speed Test on the new M5 MacBook Air and on the MacBook Air 13-inch with an M4 chip. My M5 test system has a 1 TB drive, and the M4 only came with a 256GB SSD; however, I do not believe storage capacity has any bearing on these tests.
(Image credit: Future)
Black Magic Disk Speed Test
Write (MB/s)
Read (MB/s)
MacBook Air M5
6459.2
6701.8
MacBook Air M4
845.2
288.2
As you can see, the differences are stark. The new MacBook Air M5 SSD is faster on both read and write tasks. The payoff should be in system launch, app performance, and other operations.
Overall, the M5 chip, ample RAM, and a larger and faster SSD mean this is a powerful and efficient system that will satisfy most users, and may be enough for quite a few pro users, too.
Connectivity got an upgrade, as well, with Apple's N1 chip bringing WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support, two moves that help set itup for the foreseeable future of wireless communication.
Performance score: 5/5
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: Battery life
15 and a half hours of battery life (web activities)
Effectively lasts all day (mixed use)
Charges to 50% in 30 minutes with the included 40W charger; 100% in just over 2 hours
(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)
The 3-nanometer M5 inside my new 13-inch MacBook Air isn't just faster, it's more efficient, squeezing another hour and a half of battery life out of the system over what our Future Labs tests found with the M4 MacBook Air.
What's more, in mixed use, I got closer to the promised 18 hours of video streaming that Apple claims. No matter how you slice it, this is an ultraportable that can sip power and let you leave your "ABC" (Always Be Charging) worries behind.
When it was time to charge, I used the included 40W charger and MagSafe cable to charge it to almost 50% in 30 minutes. It took about 2 hours to reach 100%.
Battery score: 5/5
Should you buy the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5)?
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Price
The MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) is a little more expensive than the M4 before it but with twice the storage, it's still a good deal
4.5/5
Design
Close to a perfect laptop design, with quality materials, excellent build and Apple's exquisite attention to detail.
5/5
Display and Center Stage
Excellent screen with high quality color, and sharpness, Brightness is good, and we've learned to live with the notch. Center Stage camera makes for high-quality video conferencing and calls.
4.5/5
macOS and Apple Intelligence
macOS Tahoe is the complete package, a rich and comprehensive platform that ties in nicely to the Apple ecosystem. I wish Apple Intelligence was more useful but find great utility in every other part.
4/5
Performance
The M5 brings the level of performance we've previously seen on the MacBook Pro. We had trouble finding anything the laptop couldn't do. The faster and more substantial storage paired with 16GB of RAM make this a high-performance ultra portable that we'll love using every day.
5/5
Battery life
Mixed battery life improved and got closer to the possible 18 hours Apple promises if you only stream video.
5/5
Buy it if...
You want the best ultraportable The MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does raise the bar for ultraportable performance.
You demand real portability At 2.7 lbs / 1.24kg, the MacBook Air still lives up to its name.
You need a good blend of power and efficiency The MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) packs more than enough power for most users and you can bank on all-day battery life.
Don't buy it if...
You still want a touchscreen Some think this might be the year of a touchscreen MacBook, but I doubt it. The MacBook Air is a perfect, classic laptop, and for touchscreen lovers, there's always the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard.
You want more useful AI Apple Intelligence is not the kind of integrated AI we expect from our mobile systems. But changes are on the horizon. Who knows what Siri with Gemini integration will be like.
Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) review: Also consider
MacBook Air 15-inch M5 (2026)
Dell XPS 13 Plus
Price:
$1299 / £1,299 / AU$2,199
$1,999.99 / £2,049 / AU$3,998.50
CPU:
Apple M5 (10-core)
Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 288V
Graphics:
Integrated 10-core GPU
Intel Arc Graphics
RAM:
16GB unified memory
Up to 32GB LPDDR5X
Screen:
15.3-inch, 2880 x 1864 Liquid Retina display, 500 nits brightness, wide color P3 gamut
If our Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...
Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) The MacBook Air 15-inch (M5) is virtually the same as the 13-inch model in every aspect except size (and screen size), but the base model does start with two extra GPU cores.
Dell XPS 13 Plus The latest Dell XPS 13 brings Intel's Lunar Lake chips to the iconic laptop line, delivering truly all-day battery life and strong performance across the board in a sleek and stylish MacBook-esque design. However, issues with the XPS redesign remain, with its edgeless trackpad and adaptive function bar creating some problems with usability that prevent it from reaching true greatness.
I used the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M5) for five days
I worked, played, listened, edited, and wrote this review on it
I usually ran multiple apps at once
The 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M5 has been my constant companion since I unboxed it last week.
I worked, played, edited (photos and videos), and gamed on it.
I ran a wide variety of benchmarks, installed Steam, and ran heavy-duty games. I watched some streaming video and did my best to tax the M5 chip. I also spent time comparing it to the M4 chip on my Sky Blue MacBook Air.
I browsed the web, played with Apple Intelligence (it didn't help me write this), and enjoyed every minute of my time with this splendid machine.
I've been reviewing technology for over 30 years, and I've tested everything from DOS-based word processors to Apple's Vision Pro. I've reviewed laptops of all stripes, including traditional clamshells and convertibles. I regularly work on macOS but also use the Windows platform almost every day – I like to keep my hands in all the ecosystems.
Back in early January, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy M17e surfaced in the Google Play Console's Supported Devices list. It was an odd one, but it's definitely real, as Samsung itself has now confirmed it.
The Galaxy M17e is launching in India on March 17, where it will be sold through Amazon. The phone has a 6.7-inch HD+ screen with 120Hz refresh rate, the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC at the helm, and a 6,000 mAh battery.
It will run One UI 8.0 based on Android 16 from day one and will receive six major Android updates and six years of security updates. It has a 50MP rear camera, a 2MP...
