Should You Buy the New 14-inch MacBook Pro With the M5 Chip?

Apple’s latest 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the new M5 chip has officially arrived, bringing faster performance, upgraded graphics, and greater efficiency. But with familiar design, a higher starting price, and minimal external changes, many potential buyers are asking the same question: is it worth the upgrade?

Here’s a detailed look at whether Apple’s newest MacBook Pro is the right choice for you.

Performance

The M5 chip is Apple’s most advanced processor yet, featuring a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. It’s built on the company’s third-generation 3-nanometer process, offering up to 15% faster CPU performance and 45% faster graphics compared to the M4 chip.

If you’re upgrading from an M1 or M2 MacBook, the jump will feel significant, faster video exports, smoother multitasking, and snappier app performance. But for users of an M3 model, the improvement is more incremental. You’ll notice faster AI processing and graphics-heavy tasks performing better, but not dramatically so in everyday work.

Where the M5 truly shines is efficiency. Its improved architecture delivers longer battery life, maintaining up to 24 hours on a single charge, and it handles demanding tasks with less heat.

Storage, Memory, and Expandability

Apple has quietly doubled the maximum storage option for the base 14-inch model from 2TB to 4TB, which will be a welcome upgrade for creative professionals. Memory bandwidth has also increased from 120GB/s to 153GB/s, resulting in smoother performance when handling large files or multiple apps at once.

That said, unified memory still caps out at 32GB on this base M5 version, plenty for developers, designers, and most creative users, but not enough for those working with massive video projects or heavy 3D simulations. Those buyers may prefer to wait for the upcoming M5 Pro and M5 Max variants expected in 2026.

Design and Connectivity

Externally, Apple hasn’t reinvented the look. The 14-inch MacBook Pro retains its Liquid Retina XDR display, offering up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness, crisp contrast, and ProMotion 120Hz smoothness. Ports remain generous for a modern laptop: three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, SD card slot, headphone jack, and MagSafe 3 charging.

In Europe, however, Apple no longer includes a charger in the box, part of its environmental initiative and compliance with EU waste regulations. Buyers there will need to purchase a 70W USB-C adapter separately.

Price and Value

Starting at $1,599 in the U.S., the M5 MacBook Pro sits at the same price point as the outgoing model. For a machine that can easily replace a desktop, it remains a compelling value, especially given Apple’s track record for longevity.

However, if your workflow doesn’t push your current Mac beyond its limits, or you recently bought an M3 model, you might want to hold off until the M5 Pro or M5 Max arrive next year. Those models will likely deliver bigger performance leaps, potentially with new display tech and added features.

Who Should Buy It

The MacBook Pro with M5 is ideal for:

• Users coming from Intel or M1/M2 Macs seeking a big upgrade in speed and efficiency.

• Creatives and professionals who want sustained performance in a portable form.

• Anyone needing reliable battery life and top-tier display quality in a compact machine.

You might want to wait if:

• You already own an M3 MacBook Pro or M3 MacBook Air.

• You rely on ultra-high-end workflows like 8K video editing or 3D rendering (the M5 Pro/Max models will better serve you).

• You’re waiting for the 16-inch version of the new updated MacBook Pro with M5 chip.

  
  

Our Final Thoughts

Apple’s M5 MacBook Pro isn’t a dramatic redesign, it’s a refinement. It brings meaningful speed, stronger AI and graphics power, and more storage flexibility while maintaining the hallmark reliability of the MacBook Pro line.

For most users, it’s an excellent upgrade and one of the most balanced laptops Apple has ever made. But for those chasing a more future-proof jump or waiting for a real design evolution, the smarter move might be to wait one more generation.