MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max: New Prices, Features, Pros and Cons

Apple today announced the new MacBook Pro 14 and 16 inches with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips — and this is not just a routine update. For those still working on M1, the upgrade promises an 8x boost in AI tasks, so the question of whether it’s worth switching from Intel to Apple Silicon is no longer even debatable — the gap has become too large even between generations of Apple chips.

What are the new Apple laptops like? Image: Apple

M5 Pro and M5 Max Capabilities

Without a doubt, the main highlight of this update is the processors. At the core of the new devices is the Fusion Architecture: for the first time, Apple has combined two dies into a single chip. This delivered a significant performance boost across the board. The CPU block has grown to 18 cores, and now includes:

• 6 “super cores” (according to Apple — the fastest in the world today)
• plus 12 performance cores

Compared to the M4 Pro/Max, this delivers up to a 30% increase in multi-threaded tasks. And the integrated graphics module now features a neural accelerator in each core.

Some of the best computer processors in the world. Image: Apple

This delivers truly fantastic numbers for AI workloads:

• Image generation is up to 7.8x faster than on M1 Pro
• LLM processing — up to 6.9x faster than M1 Pro and up to 3.9x faster than M4 Pro
• 3D rendering in Redshift — up to 5.2x faster than M1 Pro

Additionally, M5 Pro supports up to 64 GB of RAM with 307 GB/s bandwidth, while M5 Max supports up to 128 GB and 614 GB/s respectively.

The Main Change in MacBook Pro 2026

The new generation MacBook Pro now ships with 1 TB of base storage, whereas it was previously 512 GB. Meanwhile, versions with M5 Max come with 2 TB right out of the box. Read and write speeds have doubled compared to the predecessor, reaching 14.5 GB/s.

Apple talks about work everywhere and demonstrates complex programs on laptops. Image: Apple

For working with 4K and 8K video, large language models, and datasets, this is noticeable. And in gaming too, if that interests you, the improvement will be significant.

What Wi-Fi 7 Brings to MacBook Pro

Apple has added its own proprietary N1 wireless chip to the laptops, providing Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 support. If you frequently work with large files over the network or connect multiple devices simultaneously — the difference will be noticeable.

However, for home tasks and even professional ones, the current Wi-Fi 6 limits are sufficient enough.

What Else Is New in MacBook Pro 2026

The display hasn’t changed — it’s the same Liquid Retina XDR with 1600 nits brightness in HDR and nanotexture (optional). The camera is 12 MP with Center Stage and Desk View mode. Battery life is up to 24 hours. For those still on Intel-based Macs, this means an additional 13 hours on a single charge. Compared to last year, there is no difference.

On board is a full set of ports: three Thunderbolt 5, HDMI with 8K support, SDXC slot, and MagSafe 3. Notably, M5 Pro now supports connecting up to two external monitors, while M5 Max can output to four displays simultaneously.

Working with external monitors has become even more convenient. Image: Apple

By the way, you’ll be able to connect any monitor with a compatible port to the MacBooks. But you won’t need to search for a good panel — alongside the MacBook Pro, the company introduced two new Studio monitors. One of them is the top-end Display XDR.

The new Studio monitors are expensive but technologically advanced. Image: Apple

It replaces the Pro Display XDR. Here’s what it offers:

• 27-inch panel with mini-LED backlighting
• 5K resolution
• Up to 2000 nits brightness in HDR
• Up to 120 Hz refresh rate

For ports — two Thunderbolt 5 (one with 140W charging, the other for connecting accessories or daisy-chaining displays) plus two USB-C. The price starts at $3,299 for the standard glass version and $3,599 for the anti-glare coating version.

The lower-end Studio model features a 27-inch display with 5K resolution. Brightness is 600 nits and there’s no miniLED. Apple did install a 12 MP camera and six speakers in it. Its price is $1,599.

How Much Does the MacBook Pro 2026 Cost in Russia

Let’s start with the fact that there have been no official laptop shipments to Russia, and none are expected for now. So the new models can only be purchased through resellers. And they currently have serious supply issues. But if we set aside the logistical nuances and consider the official prices, here’s the breakdown:

Of course, the ruble prices listed here are direct conversions — that is, converted at the current exchange rate.