Apple’s new 15-inch MacBook Air impresses for a simple reason: it delivers strong performance with Apple’s M5 chips while staying completely silent thanks to a fully passive, fanless cooling design. In the thin-and-light laptop space, that combination remains genuinely rare. Even now, there still isn’t a true fanless Windows alternative that matches the same blend of efficiency and consistent real-world performance, and current Snapdragon-based ARM Windows laptops haven’t closed that gap either.
That said, the larger and pricier 15-inch MacBook Air also makes a few weaknesses more obvious, especially when you compare it to premium Windows competitors in the same size class.
The display is the most noticeable example. Apple continues to use an IPS panel capped at 60Hz. It’s a good screen in several important ways: the resolution is sharp, it covers the P3 color gamut, and color accuracy is very strong, which matters for photo work and content creation. But in 2026, many buyers shopping for a 15-inch premium laptop are starting to expect more. Some competing models are demonstrating what the new standard can look like with OLED panels and higher refresh rates, delivering smoother motion, stronger contrast, and brighter HDR highlights while still keeping power consumption under control for long battery life. The challenge for Apple is consistency: the company typically aims to offer a similar display experience across both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, and there are fewer display options in the 13-inch category that can match the best 15-inch OLED implementations.
The keyboard is another area where the competition has an edge. The MacBook Air’s keys are accurate and reliable, but key travel remains shallow compared to several slim Windows laptops that manage to feel more comfortable and satisfying for long typing sessions. Some competitors prove you don’t need a bulky chassis to get a better typing experience, and it’s fair to say Apple could improve here in a future redesign.
Repairability is also becoming a bigger talking point across the laptop industry, and it’s an area where Apple still has room to grow. While user-replaceable SSDs and memory are unlikely to return in most mainstream designs, there are still meaningful steps a manufacturer can take to make common repairs easier and less expensive. Designs that avoid adhesives and rely more on screws can make a major difference, especially for parts like batteries and ports. Speaking of ports, an additional USB connector on the right side would also make the MacBook Air more convenient for everyday use, particularly for people who frequently connect accessories, external drives, or displays.
Overall, the MacBook Air 15-inch with M5 remains an excellent fanless laptop with standout efficiency and performance, but it’s not “finished” as a product line. Display technology, keyboard feel, practical port layout, and repair-friendly design are all areas where Apple has clear potential to improve. And with competition raising the bar in the 15-inch segment, expectations for the next MacBook Air generation are only going to get higher.
