Apple’s new MacBook Air with the M5 chip focuses on performance, AI features, and improved wireless connectivity, but many users also want to know how well the thin and fanless laptop handles gaming, especially when paired with 16GB RAM and the 8-core GPU configuration in the base 13-inch model.
A recent gaming test video published online tested the MacBook Air M5 Gaming Test scenario using the base configuration with a 10-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16GB RAM, while Apple’s official announcement also highlights the faster CPU, next-generation GPU, and improved SSD speeds that help the laptop handle demanding workloads and modern graphics engines.
Even with the fanless design, the laptop handled several modern games without major slowdowns during normal play sessions.
Native Mac Games Performance
Several modern titles already support macOS or Apple Silicon natively, which helps the MacBook Air M5 run them efficiently.
- Cyberpunk 2077
Running at 1080p Low graphics with MetalFX Quality mode, the game averages between the high 30s and mid-40 FPS range in open areas, which keeps gameplay smooth. - Death Stranding
Running at 1080p with MetalFX temporal upscaling from 702p, the game performs very well because the engine already runs efficiently on Apple Silicon hardware. - Baldur’s Gate 3
Tested at 1080p Low graphics in the demanding Act 3 city region, the system maintained steady frame rates above 30 FPS without visible lag. - Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Running at 1080p Low graphics with MetalFX Performance mode, the game held close to 30 FPS during open-world exploration and combat. - Resident Evil Village
Using the Balanced preset at 1080p, the game reached around 55 to 60 FPS while maintaining high visual quality.
Windows Games Using Translation Layers
Many PC games still require translation layers like CrossOver or virtualization tools.
- Resident Evil 9
Running through CrossOver 26 at 1080p Low graphics with MetalFX upscaling, the game stayed close to 30 FPS during action sequences. - Monster Hunter Stories 3
Running at 1080p Medium graphics, the game worked smoothly after a minor graphical fix related to water rendering. - Batman: Arkham Knight
Despite its demanding engine, the MacBook Air M5 delivered stable performance above 30 FPS. - Red Dead Redemption 2
Running at 1080p Low graphics with MetalFX Balanced mode, the game handled large open-world scenes without major slowdowns. - Grand Theft Auto 4
Running through a Windows 11 ARM virtual machine with a performance mod, the game performed surprisingly well.
Nintendo Switch Emulation
The system also handled Switch emulation using the Ryujinx emulator.
- Super Mario Odyssey
Gameplay remained smooth after shader compilation finished, though initial stutter appeared during new animations. - Red Dead Redemption 1
Running in docked mode, the game maintained around 45 to 60 FPS with minimal stutter.
Final Thoughts
The MacBook Air M5 Gaming Test shows that Apple’s fanless laptop can handle a surprising range of modern titles and emulated games, especially when developers support Apple Silicon directly, while translation layers also continue to improve compatibility for Windows titles.