After months of anticipation, Apple has officially introduced new MacBook Pro models powered by its M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The upgraded machines will be available in both 14-inch and 16-inch variants, with pre-orders opening March 4 and shipping expected to begin March 11.
While the performance boost is significant, customers should prepare for higher price tags across the lineup.
Bigger Performance Options
The 14-inch MacBook Pro can now be configured with either the M5 Pro or M5 Max:
- M5 Pro:
- 15 or 18 CPU cores
- 16 or 20 GPU cores
- 24GB or 48GB RAM options
- Now starts with 1TB storage (previously 512GB)
- M5 Max:
- 18 CPU cores
- 32 or 40 GPU cores
The 16-inch model starts with an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU M5 Pro configuration and also supports the same two M5 Max options as the 14-inch version.
Price Increases Across the Board
Apple has raised prices compared to the previous generation:
- 14-inch base model: $1,699 (up from $1,599)
- 14-inch M5 Pro: $2,199 (previously $1,999)
- 16-inch M5 Pro: $2,699 (previously $2,499)
The M5 Max versions start at:
- $3,599 (14-inch)
- $3,899 (16-inch)
The upside? Base storage has doubled. The 16-inch now comes standard with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage, while M5 Max models begin with 36GB RAM and 2TB storage.
Faster Storage and New Connectivity
Apple claims storage speeds are now twice as fast as the prior generation. The laptops also introduce Apple’s new N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. Battery life is rated at up to 24 hours.
Other features remain consistent, including the Liquid Retina XDR display and a 12-megapixel Center Stage front camera.
A Delayed Reveal
Interestingly, Apple introduced the base M5 chip months ago, but waited longer than usual to unveil the Pro and Max MacBook Pro models. The earlier M5 MacBook Pro release arrived quietly, without major promotional push.
Alongside these laptops, Apple has also announced the iPhone 17e, an updated iPad Air with M4, and an M5 MacBook Air. The company is expected to reveal more products at its upcoming March 4 event in New York.
With higher prices but stronger specifications, Apple is positioning the new MacBook Pro lineup squarely at professionals who demand top-tier performance — and are willing to pay for it.
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