Apple launches new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip, major GPU and AI upgrade aimed at Intel users
Apple has introduced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip (no sign of a 16-inch version yet), which Apple paints as a large step forward in performance and AI processing for macOS systems. The new model features a redesigned 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, offering up to 3.5× faster AI performance and 1.6× faster graphics than the M4 version. Apple claims the M5 delivers up to 86× faster AI performance and 30× faster graphics compared to Intel-based MacBook Pro systems, positioning it as a direct upgrade path for users still on Intel hardware.
Source: Apple
Apple M5
Apple’s new M5 chip, built on a 3rd-generation 3 nm process, features a 10-core CPU with 4 performance and 6 efficiency cores, offering up to 15% faster multithreaded performance than M4. The 10-core GPU integrates a Neural Accelerator in each core, offers up to 45% higher graphics performance with third-generation ray tracing.
A faster 16-core Neural Engine and 30% higher unified memory bandwidth of 153 GB/s boost AI and creative workloads, supporting up to 32 GB of unified memory. Designed for AI-driven computing, M5 enhances on-device language models and accelerates frameworks such as Core ML, Metal 4, and Foundation Models.
Source: Apple
The M5 chip integrates a faster CPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, and increased memory bandwidth exceeding 150 GB/s, enabling smooth handling of large AI models, data analysis, and real-time graphics workloads. GPU-based ray tracing and higher frame rates in games are now supported natively, with Apple citing up to 1.6× higher frame rates than on M4. For developers, code compilation in Xcode runs up to 2.1× faster than on the M1 MacBook Pro.
Source: Apple
Apple highlights strong gains for Intel upgraders (they really called them that): up to 5.5× faster CPU, up to 14 hours longer battery life, and support for two external displays. The company also emphasizes that performance remains consistent whether the laptop is plugged in or running on battery, here’s a quote:
Staggering performance gains: The new MacBook Pro with M5 is a big upgrade. When compared to Intel-based systems, it delivers up to 86x faster AI performance, up to 30x faster GPU performance with ray tracing, and up to 5.5x faster CPU performance.1 M1 upgraders will experience up to 6x faster AI performance, up to 6.8x faster GPU performance with ray tracing, and up to 2x faster CPU performance.
Phenomenal battery life: Battery life soars up to 14 additional hours for Intel-based upgraders, and up to four more hours for users coming from M1, delivering up to 24 hours overall, so users can get more done on a single charge. And unlike many PC laptops, MacBook Pro delivers the same incredible performance whether plugged in or on battery. New Mac users and upgraders coming from Intel-based and M1 systems can also take advantage of fast charge to charge up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes using a 96W or higher USB-C power adapter.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro retains its Liquid Retina XDR display, now offered with a nano-texture option, and ships with macOS Tahoe featuring Apple Intelligence integration for local AI processing. The base configuration includes 16 GB of unified memory and 512 GB SSD for $1,599 USD, with preorders open now and availability starting October 22.
Source: Apple