Base M5 Pro 1TB and 32GB RAM or wait ?

[DIMEZ]

When I was watching it the other day it brought back so many memories with machines. And he hit it spot on.

Im actually not mad at this form factor and can stick with it. it actually works...I was a fan of touchchbar Mac..if they actually spent time on developing its function would have been dope

I originally went with that air cause how light it was and thin. If the can redesign the MacBook Pro line to be that slimmed down I'm all for it.

Ive been satisfied with apple laptops since the silicon chip...
first time getting a base model and haven't been happier. More so the money I saved. even my air when a bought it was more expensive than my MacBook pro. The past few years the only thing I/ve wanted from apple is a proper iMac 27 or above.

 

[Ambassador_Kosh]

I don't mind the form factor either. I get people like "new and shiny" things, but I agree it does work.

 

[DIMEZ]

think the problem is that in the past pro chips were more power than base machines. The m5 vs an m4 pro isn't a major difference as in terms of that. You do get 2 fans with pro chips... with my workload which is usual heavy in graphics and editing..ive had no problems. I could just imaging how powerful the pro and max chips will be.

Once I got past the fact that right now I wasn't going to use tb5. im not spending that much money right now on external hard drive and enclosures . so it would be pointless to me.

I used the faster ssd as a trader off with higher bandwidth with m4pro.

This is the first Mac where I feel like I dont need anymore power or not wanting more. I thought I was gonna end up upgrading to a pro chip... I'm actually happy I spent under 2k for my machine.

I think for those that actually need the pro and max chip those machines will probably blow you aways.

Dont let the m5 being an entry level machine turn you away...it's a great machine.

if you watch YouTube with people that had them for 2 months most are positive reviews.

I'm posting this because I spent weeks going back and forth on getting an m5 vs an m4 pro and i've seen a lot of people do the same.

from my experience I have no regrets and I hope this helps anyone that's on the fence. The m5 is a no Brainer you can always find sale for them.

 

[pommephone]

I think the problem is that in the past pro chips were more power than base machines. The m5 vs an m4 pro isn't a major difference as in terms of that. You do get 2 fans with pro chips... with my workload which is usual heavy in graphics and editing..ive had no problems. I could just imaging how powerful the pro and max chips will be.

I got past the fact that right now I wasn't going to use tb5. im not spending that much money right now on external hard drive and enclosures . so it would be pointless to me.

I used the faster ssd as a trader off with higher bandwidth with m4pro.

this the first Mac where I feel like I dont need anymore power or not wanting more. I thought I was gonna end up upgrading to a pro chip... I'm actually happy I spent under 2k for my machine.

I think for those that actually need the pro and max chip those machines will probably blow you aways.

Dont let the m5 bing an entry level machine turn you away...its a great machine.

if you watch YouTube with people that had them for 2 months all positive reviews.

I'm posting thins cause I spent weeks going back and fourth on getting this of an m4 pro and ive seen a lot of people do the same.

from my experience I have no regrets and I hope this helps anyone that's on the fence. The m5 is a no Brainer you can always find sale for them.

Great post, and no offense intended, but I suggest you consider installing Grammarly.

 

[DIMEZ]

Great post, and no offense intended, but I suggest you consider installing Grammarly.

none taken. Im aware and prob should have proofread.

 

[DIMEZ]

Apple really should just have dropped the whole M5 line all at once.

My post are for people that do graphic designs and heavy video editing and music production.

I'm using adobe apps.

As for 3d rendering and other programming I can't speak for.

Just fyi.

 

[Alameda]

Apple really should just have dropped the whole M5 line all at once.

My post are for people that do graphic designs and heavy video editing and music production.

I'm using adobe apps.

As for 3d rendering and other programming I can't speak for.

Just fyi.

They’re going as fast as they can.

 

[dmccloud]

Apple really should just have dropped the whole M5 line all at once.

My post are for people that do graphic designs and heavy video editing and music production.

I'm using adobe apps.

As for 3d rendering and other programming I can't speak for.

Just fyi.

Apple has traditionally staggered the Pro/Max releases going back to M1, so not releasing all variants at the same time is expected behavior at this time. To be fair to Apple and TSMC, this makes sense as simpler SoC designs will have higher yield rates in the early stages of fabrication. Additionally, focusing on variants with higher yield rates results in both a quicker and higher ROI for both Apple and TSMC, which in turn allows for further improvement of existing processes as well as development of the next node generation.

 

[DIMEZ]

Apple has traditionally staggered the Pro/Max releases going back to M1, so not releasing all variants at the same time is expected behavior at this time. To be fair to Apple and TSMC, this makes sense as simpler SoC designs will have higher yield rates in the early stages of fabrication. Additionally, focusing on variants with higher yield rates results in both a quicker and higher ROI for both Apple and TSMC, which in turn allows for further improvement of existing processes as well as development of the next node generation.

As far as chips yes.

But the MacBook Pro line usually all release at the same time (October)

MacBook Air is usually the one the release at a later date. (march as of recent)

 

[IvyKing]

But the MacBook Pro line usually all release at the same time (October)

I suspect there wasn't enough time to put all variations in production, so the folks in charge went for releasing the most popular model first. That way they have something to sell for the Christmas season.

 

[TheRealAlex]

EVERYONE is Skipping the M5 Generation MBP until the M6 and Touchscreen TandemOLED Redesign.

It’s would be a documented Catastrophe to buy and M5 MBP with a Standard Display

And soon after They Launch the Redesigned M6 with Touchscreen TandemOLED.

 

[Ambassador_Kosh]

EVERYONE is Skipping the M5 Generation MBP until the M6 and Touchscreen TandemOLED Redesign.

It’s would be a documented Catastrophe to buy and M5 MBP with a Standard Display

And soon after They Launch the Redesigned M6 with Touchscreen TandemOLED.

Here I am... writing this from my MBP M5. So not everyone.

 

[Alameda]

EVERYONE is Skipping the M5 Generation MBP until the M6 and Touchscreen TandemOLED Redesign.

It’s would be a documented Catastrophe to buy and M5 MBP with a Standard Display

And soon after They Launch the Redesigned M6 with Touchscreen TandemOLED.

It’s CRAZY to buy next year instead of waiting for the M7. Everybody knows the M7 will be so much better that the M5 will just be a big waste of money.

 

[Alameda]

Here I am... writing this from my MBP M5. So not everyone.

Mic drop.

 

[DIMEZ]

I suspect there wasn't enough time to put all variations in production, so the folks in charge went for releasing the most popular model first. That way they have something to sell for the Christmas season.

Figures. Maybe it's a good thing. I would have bought the pro chip instead and Never went for the base and wasted unnecessary money.

I can't wait to see the pro chips release and see what the power users say.

 

[Alameda]

Figures. Maybe it's a good thing. I would have bought the pro chip instead and Never went for the base and wasted unnecessary money.

I can't wait to see the pro chips release and see what the power users say.

I think people don’t realize how extraordinarily good Apple’s doing at releasing annual M-series updates. At a minimum, their execution can only be described as world class, but Apple may indeed be world-leading in execution right now. Shrinking their process node every single year is an amazing feat — they have to shrink all of their analog in that time, not just the CPU’s. And they do it on a brand new, never before used, node each time. It’s truly extraordinary in the semiconductor industry to improve so much, so fast, with so much complexity.

 

[pommephone]

EVERYONE is Skipping the M5 Generation MBP until the M6 and Touchscreen TandemOLED Redesign.

It’s would be a documented Catastrophe to buy and M5 MBP with a Standard Display

And soon after They Launch the Redesigned M6 with Touchscreen TandemOLED.

Nope. Although I was planning on waiting, my 2020 i7 Intel MBP was getting long in the tooth and not playing well with Tahoe, so it was time.

 

[DIMEZ]

I think people don’t realize how extraordinarily good Apple’s doing at releasing annual M-series updates. At a minimum, their execution can only be described as world class, but Apple may indeed be world-leading in execution right now. Shrinking their process node every single year is an amazing feat — they have to shrink all of their analog in that time, not just the CPU’s. And they do it on a brand new, never before used, node each time. It’s truly extraordinary in the semiconductor industry to improve so much, so fast, with so much complexity.

I Agree. I felt this when I decided to go with the M2 air over a pro and thought it was the perfect laptop.

And it exceeded expectations with handling my workload.

the air m2 is still capable machine but with 16gb ...I felt like I wanted more power and wanted to return to the pro.

I'm amazed how the m5 has been working out.

Even with Tahoe my only real complaint has been is launchpad.

Apple is def executing right now and getting it right.

EVERYONE is Skipping the M5 Generation MBP until the M6 and Touchscreen TandemOLED Redesign.

It’s would be a documented Catastrophe to buy and M5 MBP with a Standard Display

And soon after They Launch the Redesigned M6 with Touchscreen TandemOLED.

Not really . I didn't skip the m5 due to me usually waiting for the 2nd year of a redesign. I never like doing the first iteration if im going to have it for a while with apple designs cycle being 6 years.

 

[Frankfurt]

I just replaced my 2017 MBP 15" Intel i7 with the 14" M5 MBP. Did not want to wait another year (?) for the redesign as I was limping along on the 2017 which also now started screen flickering. Probably anyhow better to wait for the 2nd or 3rd iteration of the OLED MBP, since there are likely some "teething" issues as there were with the 2016 redesign. The current MBP is a mature design with the latest chip. For my work load also a 15" Air would have been sufficient but I wanted the better screen, more ports and better speakers. The "entry" MBP is perfect for my use case.

 

[IvyKing]

but I wanted the better screen, more ports and better speakers

That's what I love about the recent M-series MBP, having the extra ports cuts down on the number of dongles that I need - one for Ethernet and one for USB-A to USB-C.

 

[okkibs]

since there are likely some "teething" issues as there were with the 2016 redesign.

The 14" Macbook you bought has been entirely flawless (for the first time in the history of the Macbook Pro for sure!) since its introduction in the first gen M1 Pro/Max in 2021. There is no reason to assume that switching out the display panel tech for OLED is going to have any impact. I also have a first gen Tandem OLED iPad Pro M4 bought on launch day and that has been flawless for over a year now. Tandem OLED itself is now also more commonly available in various monitors and isn't exhibiting any first gen teething issues. In fact the iPad Pro panel is one of the best display panels you can get in any affordable consumer device if not the very best.

I will definitely buy a Tandem OLED Macbook on launch day - missing OLED is the one major drawback of your M5 MBP. The panel is very slow exhibiting ghosting issues and has blooming issues due to the old miniLED tech. I also have a 14" MBP and the display is okay but it's noticeably worse in direct comparison to my iPad Pro Tandem OLED display. Even Windows laptops now offer better OLED panels in 2025.

The 14" MBP shipping with Tandem OLED will go down in Apple history as one of the best Macbook iterations of all times.

 

[UnifiedMelody]

Most tech geeks would definitely say tandem oled would be the best addition into a MBP. IF i were to be in 'market' for a M5 now MBP id wait till they even have a M5 Pro. going off how much of a major leap the M4 PRo was over M4. it would be much bigger for m5 pro vs m5, now that each graphic core had a huge boost.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I had the same exact MBP as you and ultimately upgraded to the 14" M4 Pro, 14-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB/1TB model. My M1Pro was getting taxed under VM Fusion. The upgrade to the M4 Pro and 24GB of RAM has solved all of my issues. My work case sounds less than yours, but I'm glad I went with the M4Pro over the M5.

14 core M4 Pro CPU has 20 GPU cores, not 16. The 12 core CPU has the 16 core GPU.

 

[DIMEZ]

Most tech geeks would definitely say tandem oled would be the best addition into a MBP. IF i were to be in 'market' for a M5 now MBP id wait till they even have a M5 Pro. going off how much of a major leap the M4 PRo was over M4. it would be much bigger for m5 pro vs m5, now that each graphic core had a huge boost.

I agree. Just based of how good the base m5 is ...the m5 pro chips are going to be a beast. If you can wait wait.. latest should be march...