Apple has unveiled its latest 14-inch MacBook Pro, now running on the powerful M5 chip. With this update, Apple is placing a strong emphasis on on-device artificial intelligence, promising big leaps in performance for AI-driven tasks, creative workflows, and professional applications.
A Big Jump in AI and Graphics Power
At the heart of the new MacBook Pro is the M5 chip, featuring a next-gen GPU that integrates a Neural Accelerator into every core, backed by a faster 16-core Neural Engine. Apple says this combination delivers up to 3.5x faster AI performance and 1.6x faster graphics than the previous M4 model.
What does that mean in real-world use? Tasks like editing in pro creative apps, rendering complex visuals, or even running large language models (LLMs) directly on the laptop — without relying on cloud services — should feel noticeably faster and more efficient.
System-Wide Upgrades for Professionals
Apple has also tuned the MacBook Pro for professionals who push their machines to the limit. The new SSDs are up to 2x faster, memory bandwidth is bumped to 150GB/s, and battery life stretches up to a remarkable 24 hours.
For those upgrading from older machines, the performance jump is huge: Apple claims the new model delivers up to 86x faster AI performance than Intel-based MacBooks and 6x faster than the first M1 generation. Importantly, performance stays consistent whether the laptop is plugged in or running on battery — a big plus for creators on the move.
Display, Audio, and Software Experience
On the outside, the design remains familiar but premium. You still get the 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, with the option of a nano-texture glass finish to cut glare. There’s also a 12MP Center Stage camera for sharp video calls and a six-speaker audio system with Spatial Audio for immersive sound.
The MacBook Pro ships with macOS Tahoe, which comes with Apple Intelligence — Apple’s new suite of privacy-focused AI tools built right into the operating system.
Configurations, Pricing, and Availability
Despite the upgrades, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 continues to start at $1,599. The base configuration includes a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB memory, and a 512GB SSD.
One welcome change is that the entry-level model can now be configured with up to 4TB of storage, a customization option that was previously only available on higher-end variants.
Preorders are already open, and the laptops will officially be available starting October 22.
