The latest wave of reviews has praised the performance of Apple's M5 chip in the updated 14-inch MacBook Pro.
Following the initial round of reviews for the M5 iPad Pro on Tuesday, reviewers have started to release their opinions on the notebook side of things. Reviews of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M5 chip are landing, and have a similar pattern to the iPad Pro views earlier in the day.
In general, the reviewers are impressed by the change to the M5 chip in terms of performance. However, it's all wrapped up in a design that hasn't changed since the M4 model's release.
14" MacBook Pro M5
Engadget
The M5 14-inch MacBook Pro "retains everything" Engadget loves about Apple's premium notebook range. In a review scoring 92 out of 100, Devindra Hardawar writes that the new MacBook Pro is "more of the same" on the surface, but from the standpoint of a well-designed and sturdy machine.
The M5 is the star of the show, with the 60% faster GPU getting the most attention for its potential in gaming. While the M4 was "no slouch," the M5 is a "more tempting upgrade" for existing M1 users.
With the same Retina XDR display as last time, there is disappointment that there's still no OLED screen here. The design's "port situation" is still "solid, as are its 12MP Center Stage camera and six-speaker sound system, but it would be nice to have Ethernet.
This all said, the new MacBook Pro is not recommended for gamers, though it's "heartening" for Apple to progress in that area. The M5 is the reviewer's first time considering Apple's hardware as being equivalent to a PC notebook.
The Verge
In its paywalled review, The Verge's Antonio G. Di Benedetto likened the M4 launch as being an "impressive return to form" for Apple's notebook. However, the M5 is "an annual Madden NFL release in laptop form."
The faster chip and faster storage is "mostly it" for the release in terms of changes. Everything else is unchanged from the M4 version, and owners of that model should continue using it.
"There's no cause for FOMO with the M5," the review continues.
Even so, the entry-level MacBook Pro "continues to reign supreme" in the market as a powerful notebook that doesn't cost a fortune.
Wired
Writing for Wired and scoring it 8 out of 10, Luke Larsen explains that the M5 MacBook Pro is "very much the same we've had for the past four years." That's not a bad thing, he cautions, as it still ranks among one of the best notebooks on the market.
The M5 upgrade is "pretty amazing," with continued processing improvements over the M4. However you'll "notice the increase in fan noise," which is apparently loud when it kicks in, but still quieter thnan a typical gaming notebook.
Faster storage is also noticed, as is the 4TB configuration option for the entry-level model. The push forward in AI is also a big change, as is the GPU which is "where the M5 shines."
While great, the review concludes that people who need more performance at work should either get the M4 Pro and Max versions, or wait for the M5 equivalents. For everyone else, the M5 MacBook Air is probably what they need instead of this.
CNET
Lori Grunin on behalf of CNET immediately brings up the lack of a redesign in the M5 model. It's "identical" to the 2024 model externally, but the use of M5 is the single exception for 2025.
The performance gains in the M5 over the M4 are big, especially in on-GPU processing for AI and ray-traced graphics. "As expected, one of the best-performing consumer CPUs just got better," the review explains.
That said, there is "no compelling reason to upgrade to an M5 model unless you already want to replace your current system." The experience will be at least similar to what users currently have, but with better performance overall.
14" MacBook Pro M4
Indeed, there is advice for consumers to wait for M4 models to go on sale during Black Friday and the holidays instead of acquiring the M5 MacBook Pro. But those who do get the M5 version "won't be disappointed" by their purchase.
