New MacBook Pro M5 Delivers Hellacious Speed, Challenges M1 Owners
Apple's new M5 MacBook Pro delivers immense speed, significantly outperforming the M1 generation with up to 161% faster multi-threaded CPU and double the GPU performance. While offering a powerful upgrade for top-tier users, many M1 owners may not need to upgrade, as their current machines still perform capably for most professional tasks. New models also feature Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5, with prices starting at $2,699 for the M5 Pro and $3,899 for the M5 Max.
Apple has unveiled its latest 16-inch MacBook Pro models, featuring the new M5 generation of processors, further cementing its reign as the premier laptop for creative professionals. While the design remains largely consistent with previous iterations, the internal upgrades deliver a substantial performance leap, particularly for those looking to move beyond the first-generation M1 Pro and M1 Max chips.
However, for many current M1 MacBook Pro owners, the question isn't just about raw power, but whether an upgrade is truly necessary. Testing reveals that while the M5 Max offers groundbreaking speed, many professionals still find their M1 machines perfectly capable, particularly for tasks below 4K video editing.
Unprecedented Performance Gains
The M5 Max-powered MacBook Pro showcases remarkable advancements over its M1 predecessors. In single-threaded CPU tests like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2026, the M5 Max demonstrates a 65 to 76 percent higher score than the M1 Max. The multi-threaded performance is even more dramatic, with the M5 Max scoring an impressive 124 to 161 percent higher in the same benchmarks.
Graphics capabilities have also seen a significant boost. The M5 Max, with its 40 GPU cores, nearly doubles the M1 Max's 32-core GPU scores in both Metal and OpenCL graphics frameworks. Compared to the M1 Pro, the M5 Max more than triples the GPU scores. For demanding applications, PugetBench tests showed the M5 Max performing nearly twice as fast in Photoshop and over double (141 percent higher) in Premiere Pro. Storage speeds are equally impressive, with the M5 Max's SSD being more than twice as fast as both M1 Pro and M1 Max models, pushing already rapid storage to unprecedented levels.
Configurations and Connectivity Enhancements
The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip starts at $2,699, featuring an 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. The M5 Max model begins at $3,899, offering an 18-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB of RAM, 2TB of storage, and double the memory bandwidth for accelerated data transfer. A fully specced M5 Max unit, equipped with a 40-core GPU, 128GB of RAM, 4TB of storage, and an anti-glare Nano-texture display, reaches an exorbitant $6,149. Notably, the M5 Max model sees a $400 price increase over the previous M4 Max, though it now includes increased starting storage.
Beyond raw processing power, the M5 generation introduces several connectivity upgrades, including support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thunderbolt 5. Users will also benefit from a much-improved webcam and the option for a $150 anti-glare screen. A minor aesthetic change sees keyboard legends adopting iOS-style symbols for keys like Return and Backspace.
The Upgrade Dilemma for M1 Owners
While the M5 Max offers a formidable leap in performance, the decision to upgrade for M1 Pro or M1 Max owners remains complex. Many professionals, like Kevin McShane, a video and audio editor for The Verge, find their M1 Max machines perfectly adequate for tasks like 1080p video editing and animation. For them, an upgrade would only be considered if consistently tackling native 4K or 8K projects.
This sentiment is echoed by a broad segment of M1 owners who recognize the new MacBook Pros are noticeably faster in terms of raw chip, memory, and storage, but few genuinely need that level of power yet. The M5 generation is primarily for the top tier of users who are now experiencing limitations with their three- or four-year-old laptops.
For those considering a shift, the M5 MacBook Air or the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a regular M5 chip present compelling alternatives to an M1 Pro. These options offer significant performance increases over the M1 Pro in a lighter, more affordable package, without sacrificing “Pro” amenities like superior screens and expanded port selections found in the Pro lineup.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, rumors persist about a potential “Ultra-like” MacBook Pro, possibly featuring an OLED touchscreen, which could arrive within the next year or two. For some, holding out to see Apple's next significant design revamp or feature introduction, perhaps even a return to more vibrant color options, might be a worthwhile consideration. However, for professionals needing an immediate, substantial power boost, the M5 generation of MacBook Pros delivers a significant forward jump.
FAQ
Q: How much faster is the M5 Max compared to the M1 Max? A: The M5 Max offers 65-76% higher single-threaded CPU scores and 124-161% higher multi-threaded CPU scores. Its GPU performance is nearly double, and SSD speeds are more than twice as fast.
Q: What new features does the M5 MacBook Pro introduce? A: Key new features include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thunderbolt 5 ports, an improved webcam, and the option for a Nano-texture anti-glare display.
Q: Should I upgrade from an M1 MacBook Pro to an M5 model? A: An upgrade is recommended if you're consistently working with extremely demanding tasks like 4K or 8K video editing, or if your current M1 machine is starting to feel slow. For many professionals handling 1080p content or less intensive creative work, an M1 Pro or M1 Max may still be sufficient, or an M5 Air/14-inch M5 Pro could be a more practical upgrade.
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