MacBook Pro 14-inch (M5): A quiet launch with a huge GPU leap

Apple skipped a splashy event for the M5 MacBook Pro, dropping it via press releases. On the surface, the 14-inch model looks familiar, but inside it packs a major graphics upgrade that meaningfully boosts gaming and pro app performance—while keeping the stellar design, battery life, and port selection MacBook Pros are known for.

What’s new in the M5 model

• Apple M5 chip: 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, and 16‑core Neural Engine. Apple claims ~20% faster multi‑threaded performance vs. M4, with the GPU up to ~60% faster for games and pro workloads.
• Display: 14.2‑inch Liquid Retina XDR, up to 1,000 nits full‑screen (SDR), 1,600 nits HDR peak, and ProMotion 120Hz. (OLED remains a future wish list item.)
• Chassis and I/O: Same rock‑solid aluminum body, excellent keyboard/trackpad, 12MP Center Stage webcam, six‑speaker system. Ports include MagSafe 3, 3× Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C), HDMI, SDXC, and a headphone jack.

Performance highlights

In testing, the M5 shows modest CPU gains over M4—but a substantial graphics jump:

• Geekbench 6 (CPU): ~4,310 single / 18,003 multi vs. M4’s ~3,797 / 14,571.
• Geekbench 6 (GPU): ~48,840 vs. M4’s ~37,869.
• Cinebench 2024: CPU ~197 (single) / ~1,034 (multi); GPU ~6,143 vs. M4’s ~3,770.

Gaming: In titles like Lies of P, the 14-inch M5 model reached ~70–75 fps at native 3024×1890 on high settings, ~85–95 fps at 1440p, and up to ~140 fps at 1080p—making the base MBP feel genuinely gaming‑ready for the first time.

Battery life and thermals

• Battery: Tested at up to ~34 hours 30 minutes in a video loop; more than two typical workdays under light‑to‑moderate loads.
• Thermals/noise: Fans spin up under sustained load but remain relatively tame; chassis stays comfortable.

Should you buy it?

If you need a capable, portable workhorse today, the M5 14‑inch offers a compelling balance of performance and battery life. Power users rendering video/3D all day may prefer M4 Pro/Max now—or wait for M5 Pro/Max. For longevity, consider 32GB RAM if you plan to keep the machine 4+ years (memory is not upgradeable post‑purchase).

Specs and pricing at a glance

• Chip: Apple M5 (10C CPU / 10C GPU / 16C NPU)
• Display: 14.2″ Liquid Retina XDR, ProMotion 120Hz
• Ports: MagSafe 3, 3× TB4 (USB‑C), HDMI, SDXC, 3.5mm
• Battery: Up to ~34.5 hours (video loop, tested)
• Weight: ~3.4 lb (1.55 kg)
• Typical config tested: 32GB unified memory (~$2,200 review unit)

Learn more:
Apple: MacBook Pro ·
Apple Newsroom ·
Review and benchmarks

Note: Actual performance varies by configuration, thermals, and workload. Some game titles still lack day‑one Mac optimizations; check system requirements and Metal support.

Discussion: Is the M5’s GPU uplift enough to upgrade from an M1/M2—or will you wait for M5 Pro/Max (or OLED) before switching?