14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is here without Pro and Max versions
Exploring the cutting-edge M5 chip, upgraded AI and graphics capabilities, and what the latest MacBook Pro means for professionals and creatives.
Apple has officially unveiled the first Mac powered by its next-generation M5 silicon: the new 14-inch MacBook Pro. As the new standard-bearer in the MacBook Pro range, this model introduces the M5 chip to the world, focusing on significant internal upgrades while maintaining the familiar, celebrated design. This launch marks a strategic shift from the M4 rollout, with Apple releasing the base M5 chip first, saving the more powerful Pro and Max variants for a later date.
This article explores the key features of the new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro. We’ll dive into the architectural advancements of the M5 chip, particularly its impressive AI and graphics performance, and cover the other notable updates, including expanded storage options and what has remained the same.
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The M5 Chip: A Focus on AI and Graphics
The headline feature of this MacBook Pro is undoubtedly the M5 chip. Built on a new architecture, it continues Apple’s tradition of delivering substantial performance improvements with each generation. The M5 features a 10-core CPU, comprised of four high-performance cores and six high-efficiency cores. This configuration is designed to balance demanding tasks with all-day battery life.
The most significant advancements, however, lie within the GPU and Neural Engine. The 10-core GPU in the M5 is not just an incremental update. Inspired by the architecture of the A19 Pro chip found in the latest iPhones, each GPU core now includes its own Neural Accelerators. This allows the GPU to work in tandem with the 16-core Neural Engine to process AI and machine learning tasks with unprecedented speed.
Apple’s performance claims highlight the real-world impact of this new design:
AI Performance: The M5 chip delivers a staggering 3.5 times faster AI performance compared to the M4, and up to 6 times faster than the original M1 chip.
CPU Uplift: Multi-core CPU tasks are now 20% faster than on the M4, speeding up everyday professional workflows.
Application Speed: Users can expect tangible benefits in creative apps. AI video enhancement in Topaz Video is up to 1.8 times faster, 3D renders in Blender are 1.7 times faster, and compiling code in Xcode is 1.2 times faster.
Graphics and Gaming: Overall graphical performance sees a boost of approximately 1.6 times, leading to smoother performance in pro apps and higher frame rates in games.
Supporting these enhancements is an increase in unified memory bandwidth, which now exceeds 150GB/s. This allows the CPU and GPU to access a shared pool of memory more quickly, reducing bottlenecks and improving overall system responsiveness.
Design and Display: The Same Winning Formula
For those familiar with the modern MacBook Pro, the new M5 model will look and feel exactly the same. Apple has opted for a “spec-bump” update, meaning all the changes are internal. The laptop retains its sleek aluminum chassis, measuring 0.61 inches thick and weighing around 3.4 pounds. The footprint of 12.31 by 8.71 inches also remains identical.
The display is another component that Apple wisely chose not to change. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR screen continues to be one of the best on any laptop. It features a crisp 3,024 by 1,964 resolution (254 ppi), a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and P3 wide color support. ProMotion technology provides adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for incredibly smooth scrolling and motion.
For professionals working in varied lighting conditions, the display offers 1,000 nits of sustained brightness, peaking at 1,600 nits for HDR content. The option to add a nano-texture glass treatment to minimize reflections also returns, making it an ideal choice for creatives who need perfect color accuracy without glare.
Storage, Ports, and Other Features
While the M4 model offered storage up to 2TB, the new M5 MacBook Pro expands the options to include a massive 4TB capacity. This is a significant upgrade for video editors, 3D artists, and other professionals who work with extremely large files and prefer to keep their projects on internal storage for maximum speed. The base configuration now starts with 16GB of unified memory, with options to upgrade to 24GB or 32GB.
The port selection remains generous and versatile. Users get three Thunderbolt ports that support USB 4 and the forthcoming Thunderbolt 5 standard, ensuring future-proof connectivity. These are complemented by a MagSafe 3 charging port, a full-size HDMI port, an SDXC memory card slot, and a high-impedance 3.5mm headphone jack.
Other key features are carried over from the previous generation. The 12MP Center Stage camera in the display notch provides excellent video quality for calls, while the high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-canceling woofers delivers immersive audio. A “studio-quality” three-mic array handles voice capture with clarity. Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
A Powerful New Standard
The 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro sets a new benchmark for what to expect from a standard professional laptop. While the unchanged design may not turn heads, the profound improvements in AI and graphics performance powered by the M5 chip make it a formidable tool for creatives and developers. The faster CPU, increased memory bandwidth, and new 4TB storage option round out a package that is both powerful and practical.
This launch establishes a new baseline for the MacBook Pro family. While power users may want to wait for the eventual release of the M5 Pro and M5 Max variants, the base M5 model offers more than enough performance for a huge range of professional workflows. Starting at $1,599, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro is a compelling option for anyone looking to upgrade from an older machine or invest in a powerful, future-proof laptop.
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