Apple has introduced new MacBook Pro models today, featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Here are the specifics.
### 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro comes equipped with top-tier M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
Today marks the second consecutive day of Apple hardware announcements, with the company spotlighting the Mac.
The M5 MacBook Pro made its debut in October, albeit only in a 14-inch variant without high-end chip options.
Today, Apple has rolled out the long-awaited 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. They are driven by the latest M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
> “MacBook Pro featuring M5 Pro and M5 Max redefines the potential of a pro laptop, now up to 4x quicker than the previous generation,” stated John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With Neural Accelerators integrated into the GPU, the new MacBook Pro permits professionals to execute advanced LLMs on-device and unlock benefits that no other laptop can provide — all while retaining outstanding battery longevity. Coupled with even swifter unified memory and storage, it enables users to elevate their work further, unleashing novel opportunities and expanding the limits of what they can achieve.”
This new MacBook Pro maintains the appearance and feel of its predecessor, showcasing the same industrial design that has existed since 2021.
Recent features emphasize enhancements in Apple silicon.
### Apple silicon and storage enhancements are the primary upgrades in new MacBook Pro
The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips render the new MacBook Pro the most powerful laptop that Apple offers.
Both chips incorporate an up-to-18-core CPU with 6 “super cores.” Apple claims these are the fastest CPU cores globally. Complementing these super cores are 12 performance cores that collectively provide up to 30 percent higher performance.
SSD performance is now superior, achieving up to 2x the speed of the previous generation.
Storage options now have higher starting capacities than before:
– 1TB of storage for M5 Pro variants
– 2TB for M5 Max variants
Another enhancement related to Apple silicon is the introduction of the N1 wireless chip. N1 facilitates Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support, with Apple asserting it enhances performance and reliability compared to previous MacBook Pros.
N1 was first introduced in the iPhone 17 lineup last fall, where Apple noted its role in boosting the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.
### New MacBook Pro colors, pricing, availability
The new MacBook Pro is available in two hues: Space Black and Silver.
Here’s the pricing for the new M5 MacBook Pro models:
– 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,199, while M5 Max begins at $3,599
– 16‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,699 and M5 Max starts at $3,899
These prices reflect an increase over the previous generation, which retailed for $1,999 and $2,499, respectively. However, the enhanced starting storage helps justify the price difference.
Pre-orders commence tomorrow, March 4, at 6:15 a.m. PT, with shipments starting for users on Wednesday, March 11.
Are you considering an upgrade to a new MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max? Share your thoughts in the comments.