- The 14-inch MacBook Pro receives a spec bump with the new M5 chip, enhancing graphics and AI performance.
- The M5 chip brings improved multithreaded performance, increased SSD and memory bandwidth.
- iPad Pro models are also updated with the M5 chip, featuring similar performance gains and Wi-Fi 7.
- The Vision Pro headset gets an M5 upgrade, boasting faster performance and enhanced display capabilities, though it also increases in weight.
- All updated devices are available for preorder starting October 22.
At a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Chip | M5 |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Graphics Performance | 1.6x compared to predecessor |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) AI Performance | 3.5x compared to predecessor |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Memory Bandwidth | 153GB/s |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Base RAM | 16GB |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Max Storage | 4TB |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Battery Life | Up to 16 hours (web browsing) |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 4, SD Card, HDMI, MagSafe, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| MacBook Pro (14-inch) Starting Price | $1,599 |
| iPad Pro Chip | M5 |
| iPad Pro AI Performance | 3.5x compared to M4 |
| iPad Pro Memory Bandwidth | 153GB/s |
| iPad Pro Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (cellular models) |
| iPad Pro Starting Price | $999 (11-inch, 256GB) |
| Vision Pro Chip | M5 |
| Vision Pro Weight | 750–800g (increased) |
| Vision Pro Battery Life | Up to 2.5 hours (general use) |
| Vision Pro Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Vision Pro Starting Price | $3,499 |
| Availability | Preorder now, ships October 22 |
What’s New / Why It Matters
Apple has refreshed its base 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M5 chip, marking the first laptop in its lineup to feature this upgraded silicon. This update primarily focuses on performance enhancements, offering a significant leap in graphics and AI capabilities.
The M5 chip introduces a more powerful neural accelerator within each GPU core, directly translating to faster AI processing. Additionally, improvements to multithreaded performance and increased memory and SSD bandwidth mean quicker task completion for demanding applications and smoother overall system operation.
For creative professionals, developers, and power users, these performance gains could translate to faster rendering times, more efficient machine learning model training, and a more responsive user experience when multitasking or working with large datasets. While the core design remains the same, the internal upgrade provides a tangible boost for everyday productivity and future-proofing.
Comparison
| Model | CPU/GPU | Memory | AI/NPU | Battery/Perf | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5) | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 16GB+ RAM, 153GB/s bandwidth | Enhanced Neural Accelerator | Up to 16 hrs web browsing | Starting at $1,599 |
| iPad Pro (M5) | Up to 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 153GB/s bandwidth | 3.5x AI performance vs M4 | Not specified | Starting at $999 (11-inch) |
| Vision Pro (M5) | M5 chip | Not specified | Enhanced performance | Up to 2.5 hrs general use (increased weight) | Starting at $3,499 |
| Previous MacBook Pro (M4) | 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU | 120GB/s bandwidth | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Performance & Benchmarks (Claims)
- Graphics performance is 1.6 times faster than its predecessor.
- AI performance is 3.5 times faster than its predecessor, thanks to the neural accelerator in each GPU core.
- Multithreaded performance is approximately 20% faster.
- SSD and memory bandwidth have been increased.
- Memory bandwidth reaches 153GB/s, a significant jump from the M4 chip’s 120GB/s.
- iPad Pro with M5 offers 3.5x the AI performance compared to the iPad Pro with M4.
- iPad Pro with M5 features up to 2x faster storage read and write speeds.
- Vision Pro with M5 offers faster performance, sharper details, and more battery life.
- Vision Pro with M5 renders 10% more pixels and has a 120Hz refresh rate.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: Significant performance gains in graphics and AI; increased memory and SSD bandwidth; improved battery life on Vision Pro; Wi-Fi 7 on cellular iPad Pros.
- Cons: MacBook Pro retains Wi-Fi 6E; Vision Pro has increased weight; storage prices remain high for iPad Pro; limited developer support for Vision Pro capabilities may hinder upgrade value.
FAQ
When will the new M5-equipped devices be available?
The updated 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro are available for preorder now and are scheduled to ship on October 22.
What are the key performance improvements with the M5 chip?
Apple claims substantial increases in graphics (1.6x) and AI (3.5x) performance, along with a 20% boost in multithreaded performance and higher memory bandwidth (153GB/s).
Has the design of the 14-inch MacBook Pro changed?
No, the update is primarily a spec bump with the new M5 chip; no other major design changes have been announced for the MacBook Pro.
Is the Vision Pro lighter with the M5 chip?
No, the new Vision Pro is actually heavier, weighing between 750–800g compared to the previous 600-650g, despite the M5 chip upgrade.
Availability & Pricing
The updated 14-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,599 and is available for preorder now, shipping October 22. The M5-equipped iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model with 256GB storage, also shipping October 22. The new Vision Pro is available for preorder starting at $3,499 and ships on the same date.