After shipping the M5-based version of the MacBook Pro 14 in the latter part of 2025, Apple has followed its usual pattern of releasing higher-end versions of its 14- and 16-inch MacBooks with Pro and Max versions of the processor. It’s also releasing an M5 model of the MacBook Air.
The M5 Pro and M5 Max bring updated connectivity and improved battery life — which was already excellent — to the laptops. They’re otherwise mostly unchanged from earlier M4 Pro and M4 Max models. We’ll have to keep waiting for versions equipped with an OLED display.
Prices for the new laptops start at $2,199 for the MacBook Pro 14 and $2,699 for the MacBook Pro 16 with the M5 Pro and $3,599 and $3,899 for the M5 Max.
The new laptops incorporate an N1 networking chip which brings Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Historically, the higher-end chips add CPU and GPU cores for improved speed overall as well as faster graphics processing. The M5 also introduced neural accelerator clusters on the GPU to boost performance on AI — notably the math that’s essential for image and video generation, which the Neural Engine can’t handle as well.
Apple also debuted two upgraded models of its relatively old Studio Display and even older Pro Display XDR. The new $3,299 Studio Display XDR now comes in a 27-inch 5K model that adds a long-awaited 120Hz refresh rate, while the cheaper 27-inch $1,599 Studio Display has an improved webcam and Thunderbolt 5 support — no HDR or high refresh for the mainstream crowd.
Preorders for all start tomorrow and start shipping on March 11.
This is a developing story…
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