The news we’ve been waiting for is finally here — Apple has revealed the MacBook Pro M5, and it’s coming soon. But how does it actually compare to the previous M4 MacBook Pro? Is this the game-changing upgrade we hoped for or just another small refresh? Let’s break down every spec, difference, and reason to buy (or skip) the M5 model.
Key Differences at a Glance
When it comes to the MacBook Pro M5 vs M4, there aren’t major design changes — but there are some notable internal upgrades.
- CPU: +12% faster performance
- GPU: +36% faster graphics power
- Neural Engine: Enhanced for AI tasks
- Memory Bandwidth: Up from 120 GB/s to 153 GB/s
- Price: Still starts at $1,599 (16GB RAM, 512GB storage)
The rest — from ports to design — remains almost identical. So let’s dig into the details.
Display Technology
Both laptops share the same 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, with Mini LED technology and 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate.
- Resolution: 3024 x 1964
- Brightness: 1,000 nits sustained / 1,600 nits peak HDR
- Color Accuracy: Slightly improved due to M5 image processing
- Upcoming change: The next generation will likely move to OLED — meaning this M5 model might be the last Mini LED MacBook Pro.
Visually, though, you won’t notice a difference between the M4 and M5 displays.
CPU and GPU Performance
This is where the M5 chip makes its move.
- M4 CPU: 10-core (4 performance + 6 efficiency)
- M5 CPU: 10-core (same layout, higher clock speeds)
Expect about a 12% boost in CPU speed, mostly due to optimization, not new architecture.
The GPU, however, sees a real leap:
- M4 GPU: 10-core
- M5 GPU: 10-core, higher clocked + improved ray tracing
The result? Around 36–40% faster graphics, better rendering, and smoother performance in creative apps like Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve.
This upgrade also improves AI processing with a new neural engine, great for machine learning tasks and creative workflows.
Memory and Storage
Apple has kept the same RAM configurations — 16GB, 24GB, and 32GB — but boosted performance through bandwidth.
- M4: 120 GB/s
- M5: 153 GB/s
Storage options are also unchanged (512GB base, up to 4TB), but Apple claims slightly faster SSD speeds. Unified memory means all that bandwidth is shared between CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine, improving multitasking and render speeds.
Connectivity and Ports
Here’s the disappointing part: nothing has changed.
- Wi-Fi: 6E (no Wi-Fi 7)
- Bluetooth: 5.3
- Thunderbolt: Still Thunderbolt 4, not the newer Thunderbolt 5
- HDMI: 2.1
- MagSafe 3 for charging
Even the number of external displays supported stays the same. Apple skipped Thunderbolt 5 here, which feels like a missed opportunity given the M3 Ultra already supports it.
Battery Life and Power Efficiency
Battery capacity remains at 72.4Wh, with the same 70W charging (96W for fast charging).
Apple claims up to 24 hours of video playback, just like the M4. While the M5 is slightly more efficient, the real-world gain will be minimal — maybe 20–30 extra minutes.
Pricing and Value
Thankfully, Apple didn’t raise the price. The MacBook Pro M5 starts at $1,599 for 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.
That’s a smart move, since this isn’t a massive overhaul — just a refinement. It’s essentially an M4 with a better GPU and improved AI performance.
Should You Upgrade to the M5 MacBook Pro?
Here’s the bottom line of the MacBook Pro M5 vs M4 battle:
- ✅ Upgrade if you’re coming from an M1 or Intel Mac — the difference will be huge.
- 🤷♂️ Skip if you already own an M4 or M3 — the performance jump is too small to justify the cost.
- 💰 Buy the M4 instead if you can find a discount — especially during Black Friday deals.
If you use your MacBook for heavy creative work (3D rendering, AI tools, or video editing), the M5’s GPU boost will save time. But if your daily tasks are browsing, editing, and productivity, you won’t notice much difference.
Final Verdict — Is It Worth It?
The MacBook Pro M5 is an incremental upgrade — faster, smarter, and more efficient, but not revolutionary.
Think of it as Apple’s “M1 to M2” moment: same great laptop, just with a stronger engine.
If you’ve been waiting years to upgrade, the M5 is a safe, powerful buy. But if you’re already using an M4 or M3, your best move is to wait for the OLED redesign in 2026.
For full specs and pricing, visit Apple’s MacBook Pro page.
Pravin is a tech enthusiast and Salesforce developer with deep expertise in AI, mobile gadgets, coding, and automotive technology. At Thoughtsverser, he shares practical insights and research-driven content on the latest tech and innovations shaping our world.
