M5 MacBook Pro Performance Unleashed: Reviews Confirm Speed and SSD Leap

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip has been officially reviewed. Tech experts shared their findings ahead of the device’s launch this Wednesday. Pre-orders for the laptop began last week.

Initial reports highlight significant performance gains. The focus is on faster processing and dramatically improved storage speeds. This update solidifies Apple’s Pro laptop lineup.

Benchmark Results Reveal Substantial Power Boost

Geekbench 6 scores show the M5 chip’s CPU is up to 20% faster than the M4. This was confirmed in pre-release testing. The jump in single-core and multi-core tasks is notable for professional workflows.

Graphics performance sees an even larger improvement. The GPU in the M5 is up to 35% faster. This will benefit video editors, 3D designers, and gamers.

According to Reuters, this generational leap meets analyst expectations. It demonstrates Apple’s consistent silicon advancement. The gains are achieved without sacrificing battery life.

PCIe 5.0 Storage Delivers Real-World Speed Doubling

The most impactful hardware change is the support for PCIe 5.0. Apple states this technology doubles SSD speeds. Real-world tests confirm this claim.

The Verge’s Antonio G. Di Benedetto ran benchmarks on the new machine. His results showed SSD read and write speeds were more than twice as fast. This means apps launch instantly and large files transfer in a flash.

PetaPixel’s Jeremy Gray found similar results in his photography-focused tests. Editing high-resolution photos and video is now much smoother. The storage speed keeps pace with the raw power of the M5 chip.

However, these speeds match the higher-end 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro chip. For most users, the new 14-inch model offers a perfect balance of portability and top-tier performance.

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip sets a fresh benchmark for professional laptops, combining raw computational power with unprecedented storage velocity to handle the most demanding tasks.

Info at your fingertips

Is the M5 MacBook Pro worth the upgrade from an M3 model?

For most M3 users, the upgrade may not be essential. The performance leap is more significant for those with older Intel-based Macs or professionals who need maximum speed for rendering and large file transfers.

How does the M5 compare to the M4 Pro chip?

The standard M5 in the 14-inch model offers stellar performance for its class. The M4 Pro in the 16-inch model still holds advantages in core count and sustained performance for extreme pro workloads, though SSD speeds are now comparable.

Does the new model have any design changes?

No, the physical design of the laptop remains unchanged from the previous model. All upgrades are internal, focusing on the new M5 chip and the faster PCIe 5.0 storage.

Who benefits most from the faster SSD speeds?

Video editors, software developers, and data scientists will see the biggest impact. Faster storage drastically reduces project load times and accelerates compiling code or processing large datasets.

What is the battery life like on the new model?

Apple claims battery life remains consistent with the previous generation. Early reviews suggest the power-efficient M5 chip maintains all-day battery life despite the performance increases.

Trusted Sources

The Verge, PetaPixel, Reuters, Geekbench