Apple's new M5 Chip Powers the New 14-inch MacBook Pro and iPad Pro
Apple has a new M5 chip and a handful of new devices to show that updated silicon off. The M5 will be available in both a new 14-inch MacBook Pro and 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro, starting October 22.
The key upgrade across the new devices is the M5 processor, Apple’s next big leap in custom silicon. The most notable change is a redesigned 10-core GPU with a new architecture. Apple has embedded Neural Accelerators into the GPU cores, specifically designed to speed up AI workloads. The company says this new design delivers over four times the peak GPU compute performance for AI compared to the M4 chip, making it ideal for the growing number of applications that use AI or machine learning. The M5 also features unified memory bandwidth up to 153GB/s.
Creative apps for photo and video editing will likely see improved performance, especially for AI-powered features like subject masking or intelligent upscaling. On the productivity front, on-device tasks like real-time text transcription, translation, and code completion for developers should get a boost as well. The more powerful GPU will also benefit gaming, allowing for higher frame rates and more detailed graphics in demanding games.
The new M5 14-inch MacBook Pro
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is positioned as the new workhorse for a wide range of users, from students to creative professionals (I use an M4 14-inch MacBook Pro as my daily driver most days). The physical design remains unchanged from the previous generation, featuring an aluminum body and high-resolution Liquid Retina XDR display.
The main story is going to be performance, where the M5 chip should provide a boost, especially when compared to M1-based MacBooks that are just nearing retirement age. Compared to the M4 version, Apple says the M5 will deliver, "up to 3.5x the AI performance and up to 1.6x faster graphics than the previous generation." The new model starts at $1,599, holding the same entry-level price as the previous M4 model.
The new iPad Pro with M5
The iPad Pro has always been Apple's most powerful tablet and the addition of the M5 chip lets it keep pace with the MacBook Pro. Apple says the new model delivers a leap in AI performance, offering "AI performance that’s up to 3.5x faster compared to M4, and up to 5.6x faster than iPad Pro with M1."
When it comes to handling demanding professional applications like Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and high-end illustration software, Apple says, "iPad Pro has up to 1.5x faster 3D rendering with ray tracing than the previous-generation iPad Pro and up to a whopping 6.7x faster rendering performance than iPad Pro with M1."
Like the previous model, it keeps the Liquid Retina XDR display and offers compatibility with accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
M5 systems are coming soon
If you need a powerful and long-lasting Mac laptop for creative or professional work and are coming from an older machine, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 is a compelling choice. If your work is highly visual, touch-based, and lives within the iPad app ecosystem, the new iPad Pro offers a great combination of power and portability. Both will be available at Micro Center stores starting October 22.
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Dan Ackerman is the Editor-in-Chief of Micro Center News. A veteran technology journalist with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience testing and reviewing the latest consumer tech, he previously served as Editor-in-Chief of Gizmodo and Editorial Director at CNET. He is also the author of The Tetris Effect, the critically acclaimed Cold War history of the world's most influential video game. Contact Dan at dackerman at microcenter.com.
