M5 MacBook Pro Reviews: Apple's professional laptop in the detailed test Apfelpatient

The M5 MacBook Pro is just around the corner and is causing quite a stir in the tech world. Apple isn't bringing a major shake-up with the new model, but rather a targeted development. Initial reviews show that the focus is clearly on the new M5 chip. The design, display, and battery life remain the same, but more has changed under the hood than meets the eye.

With the M5 MacBook Pro, Apple is following the same path it has followed in previous generations: small but consistent improvements. The chassis remains unchanged, and the keyboard, display, and ports are identical to the M4 model. The difference lies almost exclusively on the inside – in the chip. The new M5 processor is the big star of this update. It delivers more performance, greater efficiency, and improved graphics capabilities. AI applications also benefit significantly from the new neural accelerators. But how big are the differences really in everyday use?

The M5 chip as the heart

The M5 MacBook Pro is all about the chip. The new processor is based on an advanced 3-nanometer process. According to reviewers, Apple has redesigned the performance cores, increased memory bandwidth, and rebuilt the GPU. The graphics now feature neural accelerators, faster shader cores, and modern ray tracing.

In numbers, this means that the M5 is about nine percent faster than the M4 in terms of pure CPU performance. In multi-core benchmarks, it is about 19 percent faster than the M4 MacBook Air. In terms of GPU performance, the M5 MacBook Pro delivers about 37 percent more performance than an M4 MacBook Air with the same number of GPU cores. This shows that Apple is continuing to improve overall performance, even if the update seems unspectacular at first glance.

According to Jason Snell of Six Colors, Apple is following its usual strategy here. Instead of every component getting a major upgrade every year, there are targeted improvements every two to three years. The M5 core is currently the fastest Apple has ever built. Snell has also published several charts comparing the M5 to other models—from the M1 MacBook Air to the M4 Max MacBook Pro.

More performance for AI and graphics

The M5 is not only faster, but also smarter. Antonio G. Di Benedetto of The Verge highlights the new neural accelerators integrated into the ten GPU cores. They represent the biggest difference in the architecture. Apple claims a 3.5x speed increase for AI tasks compared to the M4. This particularly applies to workflows that utilize the GPU, such as AI upscaling in Topaz Video or the "Enhance Speech" speech enhancement feature in Premiere Pro.

In practice, however, it depends on which applications are used. Classic applications like Safari, Mail, or Pages hardly benefit, while specialized software like video editing, 3D rendering, or machine learning clearly make the difference. This brings Apple's Mac closer to the AI-optimized workflows previously seen primarily in the iPad Pro with the M5 chip.

Energy consumption and efficiency

Another point that stands out in the test reports is power consumption. According to Andrew Cunningham of Ars Technica, the M5 is significantly more power-hungry than the M4 when running at full load. In the video encoding test with Handbrake, the M5 consumed an average of 28 watts, while the M4 completed the same test at around 17 watts.

While the measurement using macOS's integrated Powermetrics tool isn't completely precise, it does show a clear trend. Apple appears to be pushing clock speeds more aggressively to achieve the higher performance. Nevertheless, the official battery life remains at "up to 24 hours"—identical to the M4 model. In practice, consumption depends heavily on usage. With computationally intensive tasks, the battery may drain somewhat faster, but with normal activities, the runtime should remain the same.

Who is the upgrade worth it for?

The overall ratings are fairly consistent. The M5 MacBook Pro isn't a device that owners of an M4 model absolutely need. The performance increase is measurable, but barely noticeable in everyday life, unless demanding tasks like video editing or AI workflows are involved.

Things are different for users of older models. Those who use an M2, M3, or even an Intel MacBook Pro will get a significant leap in speed, graphics, and future-proofing with the M5. Tony Polanco of Tom's Guide emphasizes that the M5 MacBook Pro is especially worthwhile for this group. It offers the familiar stability combined with cutting-edge performance and an architecture that offers sufficient reserves for years to come.

The M5 MacBook Pro remains a top-of-the-line laptop

The M5 MacBook Pro is a classic Apple update—well-thought-out, but without any major surprises. The new M5 chip brings more power, faster graphics, and noticeable advantages in AI tasks. At the same time, everything that makes the MacBook Pro strong remains unchanged: the high-quality design, long battery life, and quiet efficiency. For owners of an M4 model, the upgrade is hardly necessary. For anyone still working with older Macs, however, the M5 MacBook Pro is a worthwhile investment. It offers top-level performance, a sophisticated system, and remains one of the best laptops on the market. (Image: Apple)