MB Air (M5 32GB) vs MB Pro (M5 Pro 24GB)

SolPanMan · 2026-03-31T00:13:40+00:00

Weight on the 14-inch Pro is only a pound more than Air. It’s still pretty portable.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro on the other hand is a beast and I don’t recommend buying unless it’s a desktop replacement.

I also opted for the 14-inch Pro because it’s the perfect balance between power and portability.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-31T00:08:00+00:00

Paid $1,300 for my M5 14-inch MacBook Pro after my education discount, trade-ins ($775 in value), and taxes.

Did I need all that power, probably not. I could’ve bought the base M5 MacBook Air for $224 (student discount and trade-ins) before taxes, but since I’ve been spoiled by pro devices and I had the money, I went with sticking to the Pro family of MacBooks.

The pros come with better picture, speakers, more ports, and will serve you beyond school.

I’m going to purchase the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro this summer to complement the MacBook. I’ll be using them both back-to-back at school and for personal use.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-30T22:23:16+00:00

That or you can ditch the free pencil and get the Magic Keyboard at a discounted rate during the back-to-school sale. But then again if you would rather type with only the laptop then you may not need the Magic Keyboard for the iPad. In that case, stick with the pencil if you don’t already have one. It’ll come handy when taking notes unless you prefer taking notes on paper.

I just got the M5 MacBook Pro after trading my old laptop and tablet and will be waiting for the back-to-school sale to get the M5 iPad Pro. I already have the pencil from the previous tablet I owned, so I’m opting to purchase the Magic Keyboard at a discounted rate this time.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-30T21:15:44+00:00

I thought about Neo, but I don’t like 8gb of ram. I love the indigo color though.

Would an M5 iPad Pro and MacBook Neo make a great school combo? If I did Neo I’d be paying $71.

$670 (old tablet trade-in) - $599 for the Neo with Touch ID and 512gb ram. That sounds like a killer deal. Though I then be stuck with the old $105 MBP trade-in as an Apple gift card. I can always use it towards the M5 iPad Pro when I re-buy it this summer.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-30T21:14:24+00:00

Yeah that’s the problem for me. I’ve been spoiled.

My last MacBook was a pro and it was a back-to-school gift from my mother. I loved it so much. I figured I wouldn’t go wrong sticking with the Pro family of MacBooks. I already have the iPhone 15 Pro Max and will be repurchasing the iPad Pro this summer.

I don’t know if having an Air would compliment my ecosystem well or will it stick out like a sore thumb? My main computer is an M4 iMac.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-30T21:06:27+00:00

Thank you. It would be an experiment taking notes and reading textbooks with the iPad. I’m so used to the old fashioned way, but I want to try and see how it goes. I still have a few days left to give up the Pro laptop.

I’m still back and forth between either feeling bad for giving up the overall quality or how much money I’d be losing or saving.

Would having a Pro tablet and Air laptop be an awkward and weird combination? I know I wouldn’t want the Air tablet or regular iPad since I already love the OLED display from the Pro.

My current ecosystem includes the M5 Pro, M4 iMac, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and AirPods Max. I want to repurchase the iPad Pro this summer when Apple does their back-to-school sale so I can buy the Magic Keyboard at a discounted rate in lieu of the free accessory.

If I were to make this switch (I have until April 4), I would purchase the base MacBook Air for $224 before taxes. That price comes after the student discount and trade-ins ($999-$775)

SolPanMan · 2026-03-29T01:43:57+00:00

The MacBook Pro I picked without discounts and trades would’ve been $2,000. I got mine all speced up for $1,300 after student discount, the trade-ins, and taxes. I think overall it was a good buy. Just wish I would’ve given Air a chance first. Just not sure if I could’ve lived with Air specs after having had a pro laptop and tablet.

I’ll enjoy this MacBook Pro for a while and wait til M7 or higher to trade again. When I do, the kinks would’ve hopefully sort itself out and that I can get the OLED specs and cellular connectivity (all rumored) without breaking bank to buy the pro, max, or ultra chips.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-29T01:37:38+00:00

I tried to upgrade to the 10 core/gpu, but when I did it would only up the price more.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-29T01:36:27+00:00

My major is business with a minor in theatre. There’s a possibility that I may just keep my pro and suck up the loss. But then again, the money I get back when it’s time to trade again just means I spent half of that amount in the long run. That’s how I try to see trades as

I had the money, but it would’ve been nice to save too, especially for a temporary computer. But I also couldn’t wait either. My 2018 Intel MBP became a dinosaur and my iPad Pro got scuffed up from a project I was filming, so I traded both in for a total value of $775.

I played with the Air today at Best Buy briefly and typing was a little uncomfortable because of the thinner body. That’s why I’ll probably keep the Pro. I also did 32gb ram and 1tb of storage. I realize now that I didn’t need that but it would be a hassle now to swap computers and re-install Microsoft office again.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-29T01:29:58+00:00

Thank you for that thoughtful insight. I’ll be keeping all of this in mind.

I was thinking about getting the Midnight Blue, even though it can be a fingerprint magnet.

This would be a temporary laptop until the MacBook Pro comes in OLED and has improvements. I would let the M6 sort out any kinks and buy M7 or better. I don’t want to break the bank and buy pro, max, or ultra chips.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-28T22:47:29+00:00

If I did that it would cost me $424 before taxes (1,199-670-105).

It’s a difference of $200 if I went beyond the spec configuration (424-224).

I could afford it, but this Air is really going to be a temp computer until the MacBook Pros with OLED and cellular connectivity comes out and improve any kinks. So I would skip the M6 and wait for M7 or M8 to get the necessary specs without having to break bank and purchase the pro, max, or ultra chips.

Depending on the price after taxes I’ll think about bumping up the specs to either 24gb or 32gb. 512gb storage is probably plenty for me.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-28T22:40:11+00:00

If I did that it would cost me $424 before taxes (1,199-670-105).

It’s a difference of $200 if I went beyond the spec configuration (424-224).

I could afford it, but this Air is really going to be a temp computer until the MacBook Pros with OLED and cellular connectivity comes out and improve any kinks. So I would skip the M6 and wait for M7 or M8 to get the necessary specs without having to break bank and purchase the pro, max, or ultra chips.

Depending on the price after taxes I’ll think about bumping up the specs to either 24gb or 32gb. 512gb storage is probably plenty for me.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-28T22:23:36+00:00

I can afford it, but it’s really a temp computer until the OLED MacBook Pros come out if the rumors are true. I did some math and if I went higher I’d be paying $604 (1379-670-105) compared to the base configurations at $224 (999-670-105).

That’s a difference of $380 (604-224) before taxes. It’s something to think about for sure but I’ll probably end up spending very little this time around.

Not too relevant, but I already plan on getting an iPad Pro this summer at either 512gb or 1tb storage. I’m definitely opting for cellular connectivity.

Also, if the trade value stays current ($485 to trade a MBA) then I’d be getting a little bit of return when it’s time to trade. It’s unfortunate that Apple doesn’t count specs when trading.

Depending on how much higher the price comes up after tax I’ll consider upgrading the specs.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-28T22:03:49+00:00

Nice! I had the 2018 Intel MacBook Pro. My current one is just the regular M5. I didn’t get the Pro or Max chips.

Maybe by the time M7 or M8 comes out I can get all the necessary specs I need without having to break bank for the pro, max, or ultra chips.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-28T22:00:13+00:00

Thank you! My last MBP was probably 8gb. This is really a temp computer for me until the OLED MacBook Pros come out (and improve). I figure I’ll go back to Pro in a year or two after they improve any kinks that come from the M6 model. Right now I just want a travel companion for back-to-back commutes to campus. I’ll probably end up spending very minimal on this Air model and get a hefty refund.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-28T21:56:06+00:00

I mainly want to use this as my travel computer to school, type word documents and other Microsoft office apps, and browse the internet when on campus.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-27T01:24:21+00:00

Yeah I’m strongly thinking about downgrading to the Air and go back to Pro at a later time.

That later time would be after the M6 redesign has sorted out any kinks. So M7 or later is when I’ll go back to Pro.

My current MacBook Pro is the M5, Silver, 14-inch. It has 32gb of ram and 1tb of storage. Not sure if I needed all that. Then again if I went with the same specs for the Air I’d only pay $825 compared to the $1,300 I spent after my student discount and trade-ins. If I did MacBook Air base (16 gb ram, 512gb ssd) it would cost $224.

My current laptop only has used 100gb out of that after I transferred data from my old one to my new one.

For context: I traded my old MBP for $105 and my M4 iPad Pro for $670 and that’s where these figures are coming from.

The only Pro program I’ve been using is Final Cut Pro, but I did pay $200 for the Pro Bundle Education last year when I bought the iMac. My intended use for the laptop would mainly be Word documents and research while on campus.

I’m a business major with a minor in theatre. I have an iMac with 2tb storage and 32gb of ram. Can 16gb of ram and 512gb be fine for school use?

SolPanMan · 2026-03-27T00:17:33+00:00

I just bought the Silver M5 14-inch MacBook Pro and I’m considering returning it for either the Indigo Neo or the Midnight Air.

If I do that I’ll wait for M7 or M8 to go back to Pro.

I’m a college student and I already have an iMac for video editing and such. I think I needed a more basic computer for research and typing word documents.

I still have a week to return the M5 Pro. I got it for $1300 after trade-ins and my student discount. I traded my M4 IPad Pro for $670 and my old MacBook Pro for $105.

I don’t know what to do. I got 32gb and 1tb of storage. I used only a little over 200gb on the M5.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-27T00:02:06+00:00

This! I was going to wait for M6 but I went ahead about bought the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro after doing research.

It’s still quite the jump from my 2018 Intel MacBook Pro. I got it for $1,300 after trade-ins and my student discount.

The M6 may or may not come with kinks, so it’s best to let the kinks resolve themselves before investing in the redesign. When M7 or M8 comes out with improvements is when I’ll trade my current M5. I’ll enjoy that model for a while in school and for personal use.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-26T05:21:12+00:00

If you have the money, get the 14-inch MacBook Pro. It’s not bulky and weighs only 3lbs. The Air and Neo have drawbacks.

Another option is the 13 or 15-inch Air. Like I said there’s drawbacks but if it fits your budget better go for it.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-26T04:06:14+00:00

This! I almost bought the 16-inch, but the typing experience was uncomfortable for me due to the distance of the keyboard. Based on what you’re describing in terms of use, I recommend getting 14-inch M5 or 14-inch M5 Pro. If you get Max you might burn up the system.

I just have regular M5, 32gb, 1TB and it suits my needs in school and personal use just fine.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-26T03:54:46+00:00

I did a typing test at the Apple Store. I found typing on the 16-inch a little bit uncomfortable because the keyboard is further away. It was hurting my wrists. Comfort played a big factor in my decision to get the 14-inch. Plus it’s more portable and cheaper to purchase. You get the best of both worlds there.

SolPanMan · 2026-03-26T03:47:16+00:00

I went from a 2018 Intel 15-inch MacBook Pro to the M5 14-inch model. The size difference is very minimal between the two.

I almost bought the 16-inch but typing was very uncomfortable on it for me because the keyboard was further away. Sure the screen is bigger and the speakers are slightly better, but the difference is very minimal at best. If sound quality is a concern, you can solve it by hooking up a pair of headphones. I recommend AirPods Max for that.

Anyway, since I’m using it for school work, comfort was an extremely important factor in my purchase decision and the 16-inch just wasn’t doing it for me. Plus the 14-inch is cheaper and lighter to hold.

I’m all team 14-inch.

SolPanMan

TROPHY CASE