MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5): Quiet release, big GPU leap for creators and gamers
Apple skipped an event and press‑released the M5 MacBook Pro, but the 14‑inch model hides a substantial upgrade: a far faster GPU that materially improves gaming and pro app performance—while keeping the rock‑solid design, bright XDR display and long battery life.
What’s new
- M5 chip: 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine. Apple claims ~20% faster multi‑thread vs. M4, with the GPU up to ~60% faster for games and creative workloads.
- Display: 14.2‑inch Liquid Retina XDR, 1,000 nits full‑screen SDR, 1,600 nits HDR peak, ProMotion 120Hz.
- Build & I/O: Aluminum chassis, excellent keyboard/trackpad, 12MP Center Stage webcam, six‑speaker audio; MagSafe 3, 3× Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C), HDMI, SDXC, and 3.5mm jack.
Benchmarks (review data)
- Geekbench 6 CPU: ~4,310 single / ~18,003 multi (M4: ~3,797 / ~14,571)
- Geekbench 6 GPU: ~48,840 (M4: ~37,869)
- Cinebench 2024: CPU ~197 (single) / ~1,034 (multi); GPU ~6,143 (M4 GPU: ~3,770)
Gaming gains
In Lies of P, the M5 14‑inch hit roughly 70–75 fps at native 3024×1890 (high settings), 85–95 fps at 1440p, and up to ~140 fps at 1080p—levels previously associated with higher‑tier PC laptops.
Battery and thermals
- Battery life: up to ~34 hours 30 minutes (video loop). Two+ workdays possible under light‑to‑moderate loads.
- Thermals/noise: Fans remain relatively tame under sustained load; chassis stays comfortable.
Buying advice
- Now vs. later: If you need a portable workhorse today, the M5 14‑inch is a balanced pick. If you render video/3D all day, consider current M4 Pro/Max—or wait for M5 Pro/Max.
- Memory: Consider 32GB RAM if keeping the machine 4+ years—unified memory is not upgradeable later.
Links: Apple – MacBook Pro · Apple Newsroom · Review and benchmarks
Note: Performance varies by configuration, thermals, and workload; some titles still need Mac optimizations. Verify game support (Metal, API) before buying.
Discussion: Is the M5’s GPU uplift enough to upgrade from an M1/M2—or will you wait for M5 Pro/Max or a future OLED display?