Choosing Between MacBook Air M5 and MacBook Pro M5/M5 Pro

I’ve loved my 2019 13-inch MacBook Pro, but I think it’s time to upgrade. My current computer has 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with about 230GB currently used. It got me through college, including extensive research and constantly having many browser tabs open, and through my first full-time job after graduation. However, the battery no longer lasts very long, and the computer frequently gets extremely hot.

I primarily use my laptop for remote work, research, writing, video calls, streaming, and heavy browser multitasking. I regularly connect one external monitor and occasionally use two. I don’t currently do intensive video editing, gaming, or professional graphic design, but I want enough flexibility in case my needs grow.

I’m deciding between:
- 15-inch MacBook Air with M5
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro

I’m leaning toward 2TB of storage and will definitely purchase AppleCare+. I also have a $500 remote-work stipend and expect to use Apple’s 10% military discount.

My biggest priority is longevity. I would like to keep this computer for as long as reasonably possible without overspending on upgrades I’m unlikely to benefit from.

Please recommend the best model and exact configuration for me, and explain the following in straightforward terms:
- How much unified memory should I choose: 24GB, 32GB, or another amount? It’s a $180 difference.
- I’m nervous about the lack of cooling fan in the Air. How important is having a cooling fan for my workload and the computer’s long-term health?
- Is the fanless MacBook Air likely to feel hot or slow down when I have many tabs, video calls, and external displays running?
- I know the Air and base Pro has 10-core CPUs, 10-core GPUs, and the M5 Pro has 15-core CPUs, 16-core GPUs. Will that additional cores be worth it long-term or will I not really notice? Same goes for the M5 and the M5 Pro. How meaningful is the difference between the M5 and M5 Pro for everyday use and long-term performance?
- Is upgrading the chip more valuable than adding memory or storage?
- How do the battery life, weight, screen quality, speakers, webcam, ports, and charging options compare?

What would you buy if you were me?