Apple's MacBook Pro lineup has been refreshed with the new M5 chips, offering unprecedented performance and battery life. The latest models come in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with a range of configurations starting from the M5 chip at £1,699 to the top-tier M5 Max at £3,599.
Design and Display
The unibody aluminium design remains unchanged since 2021, but it still looks modern and feels premium. The 14.2-inch mini LED display with ProMotion technology offers a 120Hz refresh rate, 1,000 nits of sustained brightness, and an optional nano-texture finish that reduces glare. The keyboard and trackpad are best-in-class, and the speakers are among the best on any laptop.
Performance
The M5 chip is about 20% faster than the M4, while the M5 Pro offers a 70% boost in multicore performance and double the graphics power. The M5 Max doubles GPU cores again, rivaling desktop-class Nvidia GeForce 5070 and 5080 graphics. This power is fully available on battery, unlike most PC competitors.
Battery Life
In light use, the 14-inch M5 Max lasts up to 16 hours. Under heavy workloads, it still lasts a full workday with 30% remaining. The M5 Pro models can achieve up to 18 hours of light use. Fast charging reaches 60% in 35 minutes.
Connectivity and Features
The M5 Pro and Max models include Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread support, and Thunderbolt 5 ports. The base M5 model lacks these upgrades, offering Wi-Fi 6E and Thunderbolt 4. All models include an SDXC card slot, HDMI 2.1, and MagSafe charging.
Sustainability
The MacBook Pro uses 45% recycled materials and is repairable with manuals available. The battery lasts over 1,000 cycles and costs £225 to replace. Apple offers trade-in and free recycling.
Pricing
- 14-inch M5: from £1,699
- 14-inch M5 Pro: from £2,199
- 14-inch M5 Max: from £3,599
- 16-inch M5 Pro: from £2,499
- 16-inch M5 Max: from £3,999
Verdict
The MacBook Pro M5 offers unmatched workstation-level performance in a mobile form factor with excellent battery life. It excels in display, keyboard, trackpad, speakers, and ports. However, it is expensive, lacks Face ID and USB-A, and RAM/SSD are not upgradeable. For professionals needing raw power on the go, it is hard to beat.
Pros: Powerful M5 chips, long battery life, excellent display, great speakers, SD card slot, Wi-Fi 7 on higher models.
Cons: Expensive, no Face ID, no USB-A, non-upgradeable RAM/SSD, base model lacks Wi-Fi 7.
