StoreDeal.ai store
Shop
  • Deals
  • Deal checker
  • Black Friday
  • Buying guides
  • Brands
  • Stores
Travel
  • Flight deals
  • Hotel deals
Company
  • Research
  • Press
  • Use in AI assistants
  • Contact
  • deal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026
  • Walmart
  • Best Buy
  • Target
  • TVs
  • Laptops
  • Headphones
  • Apple
  • Gaming
  • Vacuums
  • Kitchen
  • Toys
  • Smartwatches
  • Tablets
  • Furniture
  • Mattresses
© Deal.ai Inc.·2222 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Miami, FL 33134·support@deal.ai
TermsPrivacy
Deal.ai › Compare

Apple MacBook Air 15" M5 vs Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5

Buy the MacBook Air 15 if you want a big, quiet screen, long battery life and macOS, and you mostly do writing, browsing and light creative work. Buy the ThinkPad T14 if you need Windows, a matte screen, a proper keyboard with TrackPoint, and ports for older gear. The Air has the better display, speakers and battery; the ThinkPad has the better keyboard, more ports and a sturdier business build. Owners rate the Air highly for everyday speed and silence, while ThinkPad users stick with it for typing comfort and repairability.

  • Choose the MacBook Air 15 if you want a large, sharp screen, all-day battery and a silent fanless design for everyday work.
  • Choose the ThinkPad T14 if you need Windows, a matte 14-inch screen, a top-tier keyboard and full-size ports without dongles.

Prices

  • Apple MacBook Air 15" M5: $1,199.99 at PayMore West Long Branch (last seen Nov 10)
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: $1,299.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the Apple MacBook Air 15" M5 is $100.00 cheaper than the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 13)
Apple
Apple 15" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 10 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD

Apple MacBook Air 15" M5

Apple 15" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 10 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD

4.7(113 ratings)
$1,199.99at PayMore West Long BranchChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit PayMore West Long Branch
Pros
  • Large, high-resolution 15-inch display
  • Fanless and silent under everyday load
  • Long rated battery life
  • Light for its screen size
  • Strong M5 CPU and GPU for its class
Cons
  • Only USB-C ports, dongles needed for USB-A and HDMI
  • Glossy screen shows reflections
  • No touchscreen in practice despite the listing
  • Memory fixed at 16GB, not upgradeable
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad 14.0" Laptop

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5

Lenovo ThinkPad 14.0" Laptop

$1,299.99at WalmartChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart
Pros
  • Excellent ThinkPad keyboard with TrackPoint
  • Matte screen cuts glare
  • USB-A, USB-C and HDMI built in
  • Windows 11 Pro and business manageability
  • User-serviceable parts and easy repairs
Cons
  • Lower-resolution 14-inch panel
  • Bulkier, more utilitarian look
  • AMD graphics weaker than the M5 GPU
  • Shorter battery life than the Air

What separates them

Apple MacBook Air 15" M5Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5
Operating systemmacOSWindows 11 Pro
Screen15-inch Liquid Retina, 2880 x 1864, glossy14-inch matte WUXGA, 1920 x 1200, 60Hz
ProcessorApple M5, 10-core CPU and 10-core GPUAMD Ryzen 7 PRO 8840U, 8 cores
PortsThunderbolt/USB-C, MagSafe, headphone jackUSB-A, USB-C, HDMI, headphone jack
Keyboard and pointingGood keyboard, large trackpad, no TrackPointLegendary ThinkPad keyboard with TrackPoint and 120mm trackpad
Weight3.3 lbAround 3.1 to 3.4 lb depending on config
BatteryRated 18 hoursAll-day rating, smaller than the Air's
SecurityTouch ID fingerprintFingerprint reader, business manageability

Price history

$1,499.00$1,289.00
Nov 7Nov 13
  • Apple MacBook Air 15" M5: lowest $1,289.00 on Nov 11 at PC Richard & Son; $1,499.00 on Nov 12.
  • Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5: lowest $1,299.99 on Nov 13 at Best Buy.

Prices at every store

Apple MacBook Air 15" M5

  • PayMore West Long BranchNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $1,199.99Checked Nov 10
    Visit PayMore West Long Branch
  • PC Richard & SonNew

    In stock

    $1,289.00Free shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit PC Richard & Son
  • B&H Photo-Video-AudioNew

    In stock

    $1,329.00+ $12.30 shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit B&H Photo-Video-Audio
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $1,299.99Free shippingChecked Nov 11
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 17 stores and price history →

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5

  • WalmartNew

    In stockSold by DealClockReturns: Sold by a Walmart Marketplace seller; returns go to the seller under the seller's returns policy.

    $1,299.99Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Walmart
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $1,299.99Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Best Buy
  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $1,309.99Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Newegg
  • StaplesNew

    In stock

    $1,472.75Free shippingChecked Nov 13
    Visit Staples

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 8 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecApple MacBook Air 15" M5Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5
colorBlueBlack
TouchscreenYesNo
ConnectionsThunderboltUSB-A, USB-C, 1/8" Headphone Jack, HDMI
ProcessorApple M5AMD Ryzen 7 Pro, AMD Ryzen 7
SSD Size512 GB512 GB
Hard Drive TypeSSDSSD
Screen Size (")15.014.0
Processor Cores108
SeriesApple Macbook Air 15”Lenovo ThinkPad
Release Year20262024
LanguageSwedish, FinnishEnglish
Operating SystemMac OSWindows
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecApple MacBook Air 15" M5Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5
hard_drive_capacity512 GB—
actual_colorSky Blue—
ram_memory16 GB—
Manufacturer ColorSky Blue—
Graphics Card AppleApple M5 10C—
Battery Life (h)18.0—
RAM16 GB—
With Retina DisplayYes—
Drive TypeSolid State Drive—
Available Ports

What reviewers say

Apple MacBook Air 15" M5

  • 4.7 / 5113 ratings

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 113 ratings, the 15-inch M5 Air is received as a fast, quiet large-screen laptop. Owners single out the display, battery life and speakers, while the fixed memory and storage draw the most complaints.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedOwners describe the M5 as fast and smooth across apps and multitasking.
  • BatteryPraisedReviewers say the rated 18 hours holds up for a full day of work or class.
  • DisplayPraisedThe 15.3-inch Liquid Retina screen is called bright and sharp with rich color.
  • MemoryCriticisedBuyers complain that 16GB is soldered and cannot be raised later.

Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5

Owners and reviewers treat the T14 Gen 5 as a solid, unexciting workhorse: praised for its keyboard, ports and call quality, criticized for a dim, ordinary display and battery that falls short of the longest-lasting rivals.

What people mention
  • KeyboardPraisedTypists single out the deep key travel and TrackPoint as the main reason to pick a ThinkPad.
  • DisplayCriticisedThe 1920x1200 panel is called serviceable but dim and short on color coverage.
  • PortsPraisedOwners like having USB-A, USB-C and HDMI without carrying adapters.
  • BatteryMixedIt lasts a workday of light tasks but drains quickly under heavy load.

Questions and answers

Which is better for video editing and creative work?
The MacBook Air 15. Its M5 chip and sharper, larger screen handle editing and color work better. The ThinkPad is fine for light editing but its panel is lower resolution.
Which lasts longer?
Both are well built. The ThinkPad is easier to repair and service, which helps long-term ownership. The Air's battery life per charge is longer, and its fanless design has fewer moving parts.
Do I need to step up to the ThinkPad for office work?
Only if you need Windows, a matte screen or built-in USB-A and HDMI. For general office work the Air is faster and quieter, but the ThinkPad keyboard is better for heavy typing.
Which is better for travel?
The ThinkPad's 14-inch matte screen and built-in ports make it simpler on the road. The Air is lighter for its size and needs fewer charger stops.
Can I upgrade the memory or storage later?
The ThinkPad is more serviceable, with accessible storage and RAM in many configurations. The Air's memory is soldered and cannot be upgraded, so buy the capacity you need up front.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

More comparisons

  • Apple 15" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 10 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD vs Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch (2026, M5)
  • Apple 15" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 10 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD vs Apple 13" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 8 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD
  • Microsoft Surface Laptop High Performance Business Laptop 15.0in Touchscreen LCD 2496x1664 Display vs Apple 15" MacBook Air with M5 chip, 10 core CPU / 10 core GPU, 16GB Memory, 512GB SSD
USB-C
—
Biometric SecurityFingerprint Scan—
Energy StarYes—
Weight3.3 lb—
Drive Capacity24 GB drive—
Installed Memory16 GB RAM—
Processor Speed4.6 GHz CPU—
Battery Life18 hours battery life—
size—1
Optical Drive—None
Bluetooth—Yes
Refresh Rate—60Hz
USB Version—USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
NFC—No
Screen Surface—Matte
Depth (")—8.9
Backlit Keyboard—Yes
Numpad—No
Fingerprint Reader—Yes