"How much has the M5 MacBook Air really improved?" "If the price went up, is it better to get a used M4 model?" — Many people are probably searching with these questions in mind. To cut to the chase, the M5 MacBook Air has significant "standard configuration upgrades," making it more appealing to those who plan to use it for a long time, while it's also reasonable to aim for a used M4 generation model if you want to keep costs down.
This article will clarify who should buy the M5 and who would benefit from a used M4, based on their intended use, after covering the release date, price, and changes (such as SSD and communication standards). To make it easier for even those who haven't considered used options to compare and make a decision, we've also included a checklist for buying with peace of mind at the end.

M5 MacBook Air Release Date and Price Summary (13-inch/15-inch)

The M5 MacBook Air was announced on March 3, 2026, with pre-orders starting on March 4 and sales beginning on March 11. The clear release timeline makes it easy to decide whether to "buy now" or "wait."

In Japan, the reported prices are from 184,800 yen for the 13.6-inch model and from 219,800 yen for the 15.3-inch model. (Prices may vary depending on retailers and configurations.) While "price increase" might sound concerning, a major point for this MacBook Air is that the minimum storage has increased to 512GB, so it's too early to judge value based solely on the body price.

Especially for those in their 20s and 30s who tend to accumulate photos, videos, and document data in their daily use, 256GB often leads to "spending time organizing due to low remaining capacity." With 512GB as standard, you can use it with plenty of room from the start, potentially reducing the need for cloud subscriptions or external SSDs in the future.

The MacBook Air appeals to those who prioritize "lightness," "quietness," and "battery life," and even for those whose lives revolve around smartphones and tablets, it's often chosen as a companion for "tasks that require a bit of a PC," such as document creation, online meetings, image editing, and studying.

There are many cases where moving tasks you currently manage with your smartphone or iPad to an Air can improve efficiency, so it's worth considering in the context of a "secondary device" or "optimizing replacement costs."

How to Choose Between 13-inch and 15-inch (Decide Here if You're Undecided)

If you're torn between the 13-inch and 15-inch models, the quickest way to decide is by prioritizing "portability frequency" and "screen real estate." The 13-inch is easier to handle for those who commute, travel for business, or work in cafes frequently, while the 15-inch offers greater comfort if your work area is critical (for spreadsheets, design, or quasi-dual-screen setups).

While there's a price difference, a PC is a tool you interact with daily, so choosing a size that causes less stress will ultimately lead to greater satisfaction. To help you decide, first try to articulate your usage habits based on the following points:

• How often do you carry it (daily/2-3 times a week/mostly at home)?

• What tasks do you do most often (documents/browsing/videos/development/studying)?

• Do you use an external display (if so, screen size priority may decrease)?

Even these three points alone can make your "correct size" clearer.

M5 MacBook Air Improvements (What's Changed from M4?)

The M5 generation's key is not just the CPU and GPU generation update, but also a collection of "upgrades that directly impact the user experience." According to Apple's official announcement, the MacBook Air will see its minimum storage doubled to 512GB, feature faster SSD technology, and support Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
These three points, though hard to grasp just by looking at specs, become clear in their benefits when applied to actual usage. For example, the 512GB upgrade not only means "more capacity" but also reduces worries about where to save photos, videos, and documents, and provides more room for app and OS updates. Faster SSD benefits frequently accessed areas like app launches, file copying, photo loading, and video material handling. The updated communication standards (Wi-Fi 7/Bluetooth 6) offer advantages like "less likelihood of speed bottlenecks" and "improved stability in congested environments" for those with good home or outdoor internet connections.

Even for those who think "a smartphone or tablet is enough," the comfort of a PC is effective for four things: ① long document creation, ② organizing documents across multiple windows, ③ organizing images/videos, and ④ online meetings + simultaneous work. If you fall into these categories, the M5's upgrades are likely to directly lead to "satisfaction with your purchase."

What's the Benefit of 512GB Standard (How the Cost-Effectiveness Changes)

The standardization of 512GB is especially important for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness. This is because with Macs, even if you save money by choosing a smaller capacity at purchase, if you later find it's "not enough," you're likely to incur costs for cloud subscriptions, external storage, and data migration efforts.

Especially for those who want to import, edit, and organize photos and videos taken with their smartphone on their Mac, data grows significantly year after year. The more storage you have, the less daily operational stress you'll experience, making it easier to avoid "spending time just to organize."

Furthermore, if 512GB is standard, it will be easier to "avoid models with smaller capacities" when looking at the used market, which could also affect resale value when you decide to upgrade. Whether you choose a new M5 or a used, older model, the key to minimizing mistakes is to "not skimp too much on capacity."

M5 vs M4: Which is Recommended? Conclusions by Use Case

The question "I know the M5 is the latest, but will I be okay with the M4?" is natural. Here, we can divide usage into "roughly three stages" to quickly make a decision.
In conclusion, the M5 is a good fit if you plan to use it for a long time and prioritize comfort, while a used M4 is suitable if you want to reduce expenses and operate smartly (of course, depending on availability and price).

As mentioned, the key points of the new model are the 512GB standard, faster SSD, Wi-Fi 7/Bluetooth 6, and other upgrades. On the other hand, for typical daily use, the M4 is often sufficient, and "buying a good condition used M4 and spending the difference on other experiences (peripherals or a secondary device)" is also a rational choice.

The table below is merely a guideline. Don't make your decision based solely on this; apply it to your own usage scenarios in the next H3 section.

Which if Your Work is Primarily Basic Tasks (Documents/Browsing/Meetings)?

For tasks like document creation (Word/Excel equivalent), browsing for information, online meetings, chat, and occasional image editing—the M4 is generally sufficient. In fact, for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness, choosing a used M4 in good condition might lead to greater satisfaction.

However, beware if you're the type to "accumulate more tabs as you use it," "multitask during meetings," or "find it hard to keep up with data organization as it grows." For such users, the M5's 512GB standard and faster SSD offer advantages.

In conclusion, if your current work can be managed with a smartphone or tablet, a used M4 is likely sufficient; if you expect your PC work ratio to increase, then the M5 is a clearer choice.

Who Should Choose M5 Despite the Price Hike, and Who Suits a Used M4

While there's talk of a price hike, overseas reports note a "$100 increase" alongside the doubling of base storage. With initial price reports also out in Japan, it's crucial for buyers to compare not just the "body price" but also the "total cost for equivalent configurations."
Therefore, to expedite your decision, I'll summarize who should choose the M5 and who is better suited for a used M4, as practically as possible.

• Those who should choose M5

  • Plan to use it for 3+ years and don't want to compromise on comfort

  • Tend to accumulate photos/videos/documents and want to minimize storage concerns

  • Have a good Wi-Fi environment at home or work and want to maximize communication comfort

• Those suited for a used M4

  • Want to save money (sufficient for basic needs)

  • Work primarily involves browsing, documents, and meetings

  • Don't mind a slightly older model and can wisely choose a good condition unit

Thinking about "operational stress" rather than "performance differences" can make your correct choice clearer.

If You're Undecided, Work Backwards from "Points You're Likely to Regret"

When you're undecided, the trick is to first eliminate points that are likely to cause dissatisfaction after purchase. Regrets with the MacBook Air usually boil down to these three:

1. Insufficient storage (leads to time spent organizing / increased external storage)

2. Unsuitable screen size (too small for work / too large and heavy)

3. Used condition differs from expectation (scratches, battery, accessories)

The M5 can easily mitigate point 1, and size can be adjusted between 13/15 inches. Conversely, while a used M4 offers price advantages, it requires managing the risk of point 3. If you can clear this hurdle, a used model becomes a "cost-effective option."

PRODIG offers a consolidated list of Mac products, including MacBooks and iMacs, making it easy to grasp "budget," "condition," and "generation" at a glance. If you're looking for a Mac, you can compare them all here:
https://prodig.co.jp/collections/mac

Also, if you want to search across "all PCs" including non-Macs, or "consider Windows," comparing from the PC product list is recommended.
https://prodig.co.jp/collections/pc

For those who are particularly torn between "buying a new M5 or a used M4," understanding the used market's price range first can speed up your decision. If the price difference is significant, a used model is an option; if it's small, a new one. Especially for those whose lives revolve around smartphones and tablets and for whom a "PC is for auxiliary use," it's easy to smart-start with a used model and, if necessary, upgrade to the latest one next time they replace it.

Consider "Trade-in" as Part of Cost Optimization for Upgrades

If you want to "get it as cheaply as possible," considering selling (trade-in) your current device along with purchasing can lower your effective cost. If you have a smartphone, tablet, or old PC you're currently using, cashing it in through a trade-in or sale can be a realistic way to fund your budget. PRODIG's trade-in information can be found here:
https://kaitori.prodig.co.jp/

Replacing a device means optimizing not just the moment of purchase, but also including when you let go of the old one, which ultimately leads to better cost performance. For the cautious, it's recommended to plan for the exit (resale) simultaneously with the purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finally, I've summarized frequently searched questions in FAQ format. Reading this will quickly resolve common sticking points when considering the M5 MacBook Air.

Q. When is the M5 MacBook Air released? When do pre-orders start?

A. According to Apple's announcement, pre-orders start on March 4, 2026, and sales begin on March 11. If you want to purchase it soon, check availability and delivery dates based on the release date.

Q. Has the price increased? Is it still worth buying?

A. The reported starting prices in Japan are from 184,800 yen for the 13.6-inch model and from 219,800 yen for the 15.3-inch model. However, the standard configuration has been upgraded, including 512GB standard storage, so the comparison changes when looking at equivalent configurations.

Q. Is a used M4 a good option? What are the tips for not failing with a used one?

A. Yes, it is. The lighter your usage, the more "price benefits" you'll get. Tips for not failing are to match expectations with the condition rank, check the warranty and accessories, and upon arrival, check the screen, keyboard, and charging at a minimum. If you're undecided, grasping the market rate from the Mac inventory list will help you make a decision.
https://prodig.co.jp/collections/mac

Summary: M5 for "long-term comfort," Used M4 for "smart savings"

The M5 MacBook Air has a clear announcement and release schedule, and features noticeable upgrades that impact daily experience, such as 512GB standard, faster SSD, Wi-Fi 7/Bluetooth 6. On the other hand, for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness, a used M4 generation model is a viable option, and if you properly check the condition and warranty, you can achieve "sufficient for your needs" at a lower cost.
The quickest way to avoid regret is to first organize your usage needs, then look at the price difference between new and used, and choose the one that satisfies you. If you're looking for a Mac, check the product list for easy inventory comparison.