Apple MacBook Air (M4)

The M4-powered Air clearly takes things on a step, thanks to various improvements combined with a lower starting price.

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from £929/go.stuff.tv/AirM4

While Windows ultraportables are improving all the time, they can't match the performance and battery life on show here. This is not Apple's biggest ever forward leap, but it's enough to keep it clear out in front.

Apple MacBook Pro (M5)

from £1599/ga.stuff.tv/MBPM5

The MacBook Pro's design hasn't changed since 2022 save for the debut of 'space black' alongside the familiar silver shades... but with the M5 you're talking a step up in the order of 20% over the M4 for multi-core performance.

The lack of a charger is nigh-on unforgiveable, not least because if Apple does it others will follow. But once you've got past that, this is another mighty Mac - even if next year's MacBook Air M5 will make it look like a luxury and the M5 Pro version will make your eyes wander elsewhere. For now at least, it's a purchase you won't regret.