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HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025 vs Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against laptops at a similar price

The HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025 scores 7.9/10 overall, ahead of the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 at 6.6/10.

The HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025 leads on performance, memory and storage, display, ports and linux support.

The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 leads on keyboard and build.

They score the same on battery life.

The biggest difference is linux support, where the HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025 scores 4/10 to the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5's 1/10.

HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025

HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025

7.9/10verdict: buy

The HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025 is for buyers who want a portable Windows laptop with a 16-core Core Ultra 9, 32GB of memory and a sharp OLED screen. It suits people who work away from a desk and value long battery life. It is a weaker fit for anyone who needs Thunderbolt or USB4, or wants to upgrade memory later.

Typically about £699.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

MacBook Air (13-inch, M5)

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5

6.6/10verdict: good, not the best

The MacBook Air 13-inch M5 is for developers and sysadmins who work in macOS and want a light, silent laptop that lasts a full day away from a charger. It suits people doing everyday coding, containers and remote admin who can live with two Thunderbolt ports. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs Linux on the metal or a wide spread of built-in ports.

Typically about £1,250.11 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightHONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5
Performance25%9/107/10
Memory and storage20%8/106/10
Display15%9/107/10
Battery life15%9/109/10
Keyboard and build10%6/108/10
Ports10%5/104/10
Linux support5%4/101/10
Overall7.9/106.6/10

Specifications

SpecHONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5
CPUIntel Core Ultra 9 285H, 16 cores, up to 5.4 GHz (Ultra 5 225H option also listed)Apple M5, 10-core CPU with 4 super cores and 6 efficiency cores, 8-core GPU in the 16GB/512GB configuration
Memory32GB LPDDR5x, soldered16GB unified memory, configurable to 24GB or 32GB
Storage1TB SSD, PCIe 4.0512GB SSD, configurable to 1TB, 2TB or 4TB
Display14.6-inch 3120 x 2080 OLED, 3:2, 60/120Hz, touchscreen on Ultra 9 configuration13.6-inch diagonal LED-backlit IPS display, 2560 by 1664 native resolution at 224 ppi, 500 nits brightness, wide colour (P3), True Tone
Battery92Wh (manufacturer rated), 12 hours real-world battery life claimedBuilt-in 53.8 Wh lithium-polymer battery; Apple claims up to 18 hours video streaming and up to 15 hours wireless web
PortsDual USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI 2.1 output, 3.5mm combo jackTwo Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) ports, MagSafe 3 charging port, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Weight1.39 kg; 320 x 232 x 17 mm2.7 pounds (1.23 kg); dimensions 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 inches
Operating systemWindows 11 HomemacOS

Strengths and weaknesses

HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025

  • + 16-core Core Ultra 9 with 32GB LPDDR5x
  • + 14.6-inch 3120 x 2080 OLED at up to 120Hz
  • + Reviewer measured over 16 hours of battery runtime
  • − RAM is soldered with no extra slots
  • − No Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 support
  • − No Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who want to upgrade RAM later
  • Anyone relying on Thunderbolt or USB4 docks and external drives
  • Buyers who need Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7
Read the full HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 2025 review ›

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5

  • + Measured battery runtimes of 15 to 18 hours
  • + Sharp 2560 by 1664 display with 500 nits
  • + Light, fanless body with a well-liked keyboard
  • − Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports, no USB-A or HDMI
  • − No Linux support listed; macOS only
  • − Owners see little gain over the M4 Air

Skip it if:

  • Anyone who needs Linux running directly on the laptop
  • Buyers who want USB-A, HDMI or an SD slot built in
  • Current M4 Air owners looking for a clear upgrade
Read the full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 review ›

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