Apple just dropped a major performance upgrade! The company has officially launched its new 14-inch MacBook Pro and Vision Pro headset, both powered by the next-generation M5 chip. The update brings faster performance, smarter AI capabilities, and improved battery life — though not without a few surprises.
MacBook Pro 14” with M5 Chip
Apple’s latest 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 processor promises a significant leap over the M4 version. The new chip packs a 10-core CPU (4 performance + 6 efficiency cores) and a 10-core GPU featuring a Neural Accelerator in every core for better AI handling.
According to Apple, users can expect up to 3.5x faster AI performance compared to the M4 model and 6x faster than the older M1 generation. The M5 also brings a 16-core Neural Engine, 20% better multithreaded performance, and a 30% boost in memory bandwidth, now reaching 153GB/s.
But the real showstopper is battery life — Apple claims the new chip helps the MacBook Pro last up to 24 hours on a single charge. Impressively, this is achieved with the same 72.4Wh battery found in last year’s model. The laptop still includes a 70W USB-C power adapter in the box.
Design-wise, not much has changed. You get the familiar 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display (3024 x 1964 pixels), 120Hz ProMotion, and 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness. The 12MP Center Stage webcam and solid port lineup return — MagSafe, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI, SD card slot, and a headphone jack. Connectivity remains Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The MacBook Pro 14” (M5) is available in Space Black and Silver, starting at $1,599 / €1,799 / £1,599 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage version. Pre-orders are live in multiple regions including the US, UK, and India, with shipments beginning October 22.
Apple Vision Pro Gets the M5 Treatment
The Apple Vision Pro also gets a refresh — and a power boost. The M5 chip now drives the headset, enabling 10% more pixels on its micro-OLED displays for crisper visuals and text clarity. The refresh rate jumps from 100Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smoother motion and responsiveness.
The AI engine sees a huge upgrade too: AI features now run up to 50% faster in Apple apps and 2x faster in third-party apps. Battery life gets a modest bump as well — up to 2.5 hours of general use and 3 hours of video playback per charge.
However, Apple’s new headset is heavier this time. Depending on the configuration, it now weighs 750–800 grams (compared to 600–650g for the M2 version). To improve comfort, Apple also introduced a new Dual Knit Band ($99), made with 3D knitting technology. It’s compatible with both the new and original Vision Pro.
The M5 Vision Pro keeps its starting price of $3,499 / €3,699 / £3,199 for the 256GB version, and will also go on sale from October 22.
Verdict
Apple’s M5 chip marks a solid step forward for both the MacBook Pro and Vision Pro. With big boosts in AI performance, better battery life, and more refined visuals, these devices are shaping up to be among Apple’s most powerful yet — though the heavier Vision Pro might divide opinions.
I’m Sirish Chandran, lead author of techtipsguide.com. With a MBA degree and over 3 years of writing experience, I cover automobiles, gadgets, and the latest news in a simple and reliable way. My goal is to deliver accurate and engaging content that helps readers stay informed and make better decisions. Stay connected with rfbindia.com for the latest updates from the tech and auto world.