Cupertino has quietly updated the MacBook Pro line, releasing a new generation of laptops powered by the M5 processor.
Only the basic 14-inch firmware was updated, which is now an intermediate transition between the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with -Pro and -Max chips. The performance will be approximately at the same level as the Air, but the device’s screen will have 120 Hz and active cooling.
We compared the new model with the MacBook Pro on M4 and M3 and told us which laptop is best to buy now.
Iron
💻 MacBook Pro 2025 Powered by a new 3-nanometer M5 chip, which has 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. In the base, the model received 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB drive.
RAM can be increased (as always, only when purchasing a custom version) to 24 or 32 GB, storage – up to 1, 2 or 4 TB. Memory bandwidth 153 GB/s.
Usually this model is taken from the base and periodically improved in the configurator,
💻 MacBook Pro 2024 The device is equipped with a 3-nanometer M4 generation chip, which also has 10 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. The base model has 16/512 GB, in custom versions – 24 or 32 GB of RAM and 1 or 2 TB of permanent memory. Memory bandwidth 120 GB/s.
💻 MacBook Pro 2023 Powered by the first generation of 3-nanometer Apple processors – the M3 chip. It has 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores. In the case of the 8/512 GB model, the custom ones have 16 or 24 GB of RAM and 1 or 2 TB of permanent memory. Memory bandwidth 100 GB/s.
Who has better iron: The M3 model clearly loses, it has 8 GB of RAM, two fewer CPU cores and the lowest memory bandwidth. The laptop delivers approximately 20% less CPU processing performance and 25% less graphics performance than the M4 model.
Although the new M5 showed excellent results in synthetic tests, in practice the performance will be only 15-20% higher than that of the M4 models. Under quarantine conditions, these models are almost the same.
Other
💻 M3 models have a screen brightness of 600 nits for SDR content, and M4 and M5 laptops have up to 1000 nits.
💻 The M3 model is equipped with a FaceTime HD 1080p switch, while the M4 and M5 devices have a 12-megapixel Center Stage switch with HD video and Desk View.
💻 The M3 laptop works on a single charge for up to 15 hours with continuous connection to the network and up to 22 hours in video viewing mode. Models on M4 and M5 in the same modes work for 16 hours with network access and 24 hours when watching video.
💻 MacBooks with the M3 chip have 70 Wh batteries, while the M4 and M5 models have 72.4 Wh batteries.
💻 The M3 is available in silver and gray, while the M4 and M5 are available in silver and black.
💻 In the EU and UK, the M5 model will be sold without a power adapter.
In what other parameters is it better: Again, the model on the M3 is clearly inferior; it has a less bright matrix, a weaker camera and little battery life. This surprise comes unexpectedly to EU M4 models, as it won’t come with a charger included. Otherwise, the last two generations of 14-inch MacBook Pros are irrelevant.
Which laptop to choose
In recent years, when Cupertino has released such minor updates to its line of laptops and tablets, it’s best to start with the appearance of previous models. The price for them is reduced by about $100-150, and the difference from the new product is minimal.
I definitely wouldn’t consider choosing a MacBook Pro over an M3. It has quite a few differences from newer models. The main one is only 8 GB of RAM.
The new M5, as always, will be overpriced the first time. Even in a few weeks, when prices stabilize, there is no point in overpaying an extra 10-15 thousand for an M5 chip.
Bottom line – wait for the MacBook M5 to go on sale, its prices will stabilize and get a more affordable MacBook on the M4which will also include a power adapter. There are practically no differences between the creatures between the laptops.
If you have an M3 model or older 13-inch MacBook Pros on the M2 and M1, you should only upgrade if absolutely necessary. All of these devices still perform well for most everyday tasks.
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Source: Iphones RU
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
