M5 macbook pro vs M4 macbook pro

[alexsa]

I am on a M1 Macbook pro 14" with 16GB and 1TB ssd

I do a lot of full stack and python dev, VMs, i have tried local LLM but find it to slow and not good, then general office compute and photo editing etc..
After doing analysis my CPU/GPU usage is not really a bottleneck but my RAM is usually swapping a lot.

So decided to go for a new 32GB model.

Was about to pull the trigger on a Macbook pro M5 32GB, 1TB and noticed a refurb M4 Macbook pro 32GIB, 1TB for $600 less. (After tax $728 less)

Considering that is significantly less money I am now debating my choices !


Would you say for my usecases its worth spending that much more on a M5 vs M4 base models?

 

[Ambassador_Kosh]

I think only you can decide.

There's a video out there that compares the M5 to M4 MBP. The M5 did edge out the M4 a tad. But it looks like the M4 is still solid. I went for the 24GB/1TB M5 14". But I just like new and shiny things :/ I'm not even a "power" or "heavy" user. I probably could have went for the Air.

My guess is you'll be OK with the M4.. But you're also looking at a refurbished M4 vs a new M5 - so that factors into the M4 pricing.

 

[throAU]

The way i look at such purchases is this:

A macbook pro has a properly useful work life (still being reasonably high end) for 3-5 years. At which point i hand it off to the GF to be her personal use machine.

A machine 1 year into its life is approximately 20-30% of its useful life. As such, you should consider 1 year to be worth a 20-30% percent discount based on whether you're planning to replace at 3 or 5 years. For tax purposes i can write one off over 3 years no problem. So i tend to upgrade at 3 or so years, assuming apple haven't done anything stupid like butterfly keys (held onto my 2015 until 2020).

That's the maths i use. If you plan to keep longer, adjust the discount as appropriate.

Also, it means you can/should be putting money away for the replacement machine at a rate of (expected cost / number of years).


Whichever machine you buy today, it will be superseded inside of 12 months. That doesn't mean it becomes instantly useless - so really, m4 vs. m5 is just a case of how much longer you expect it to be useful for.

 

[okkibs]

One is new and the other is used. Obviously the used one should be cheaper. Careful though as only Apple sells refurbished Macs. Other offers claiming to refurbish Apple hardware are a scam.

 

[alexsa]

One is new and the other is used. Obviously the used one should be cheaper. Careful though as only Apple sells refurbished Macs. Other offers claiming to refurbish Apple hardware are a scam.

This refurb is from the Apple refurbished store.

 

[okkibs]

This refurb is from the Apple refurbished store.

Then at least the quality is good. It's still used hardware though. Battery and housing are not replaced with brand new parts unless necessary which is different from Apple refurbished iPhones, iPads, Airpods, and Apple Watches, because those always come with a new housing and battery. My point here being that the discount should be good enough to make it worth buying it over a brand new model. You might find a brand new M4 Macbook Pro for the same price at Best Buy or another retailer of your choice (especially with member cards).

So before you purchase the M4 Macbook Pro in a refurbished state you should at least check how much similar older M4 models go for brand new from various retailers in your area - I have not once bought refurbished through Apple because I found the same config brand new at a good price somewhere else.

 

[Basic75]

I'd wager you won't notice the performance difference between an M4 and an M5 outside of benchmarks. They'll feel mostly the same.

 

[whitby]

Apple refurbished machines come with new batteries and a full as new warranty with AppleCare available. The issue of new v used does not really apply here as the only parts that wear over time are the batteries. I have purchased refurbished systems from Apple and they are basically identical to new machines but usually older models. The decision you need to make is whether the incremental cost of the M5 relative to the M4 is worth it.

For me, where my main usage is with Lightroom Classic and DxO Photolab and using the large RAW files produced by my 60 MP Sony A7RV, the M4 is more than sufficient. My performance guide is how long Photolab takes to generate and denoise my files which can be anywhere from 5 seconds to 30 seconds for each photograph and the difference between the M4 and M5 is not significant . Amount of RAM and speed and size of the of the SSD are the most important.

 

[Solarflares]

Apple refurbished machines come with new batteries and a full as new warranty with AppleCare available. The issue of new v used does not really apply here as the only parts that wear over time are the batteries.

God give me strength.
Common usage wear items for a MacBook Pro, in no particular order…

Lid hinges.
All sockets.
Thermal Paste.
Fans.
Keyboard.
Trackpad.
SSD.
RAM.
PSU cable.

 

[spartan1967]

M4. You noted your issues had mostly nothing to do with CPU/GPU. Any outstanding issues with the M1 will also be resolved with the M4. Also, is there a way to verify battery quality with the refurb?

 

[spartan1967]

Apple refurbished machines come with new batteries and a full as new warranty with AppleCare available…

I thought battery replacement for Apple refurbs were only for phones & iPads. This is good to know they also do it for MacBooks.

 

[maxoakland]

I am on a M1 Macbook pro 14" with 16GB and 1TB ssd

I do a lot of full stack and python dev, VMs, i have tried local LLM but find it to slow and not good, then general office compute and photo editing etc..
After doing analysis my CPU/GPU usage is not really a bottleneck but my RAM is usually swapping a lot.

So decided to go for a new 32GB model.

Was about to pull the trigger on a Macbook pro M5 32GB, 1TB and noticed a refurb M4 Macbook pro 32GIB, 1TB for $600 less. (After tax $728 less)

Considering that is significantly less money I am now debating my choices !


Would you say for my usecases its worth spending that much more on a M5 vs M4 base models?

I think it would make sense for you to buy the M4. Buy the most RAM you can afford since that’s what is holding you back

 

[okkibs]

I thought battery replacement for Apple refurbs were only for phones & iPads. This is good to know they also do it for MacBooks.

They do not do it for Macbooks unless the battery and housing in their used state aren't up to Apple's refurbish standards. Only refurbished iPhones, iPads, Airpods, as well as the Apple Watch are guaranteed to use a new housing and new battery. Hence why refurbished Macbooks are often a worse deal than other refurbished Apple hardware. If the Macbook to be refurbished was in a good-as-new condition it will merely be inspected and repackaged. But it remains a used device (although it does come with the full warranty). But considering what Apple asks for these refurbished Macbooks in their store I have never seen an attractive offer I would want to make use of. Instead I buy through retailers when there's a sale.

Apple refurbished machines come with new batteries

This is not guaranteed for Apple refurbished Macbooks as long as the battery works fine and is above the 80% health that Apple uses to tell healthy and faulty batteries apart. Only Aple refurbished iPhones, iPads, Airpods, as well as the Apple Watch are guaranteed to come with new batteries.

 

[DIMEZ]

+1 FOR M5 with 32gb.

 

[Solarflares]

Yeah, get the new machine.

 

[alexsa]

Then at least the quality is good. It's still used hardware though. Battery and housing are not replaced with brand new parts unless necessary which is different from Apple refurbished iPhones, iPads, Airpods, and Apple Watches, because those always come with a new housing and battery. My point here being that the discount should be good enough to make it worth buying it over a brand new model. You might find a brand new M4 Macbook Pro for the same price at Best Buy or another retailer of your choice (especially with member cards).

So before you purchase the M4 Macbook Pro in a refurbished state you should at least check how much similar older M4 models go for brand new from various retailers in your area - I have not once bought refurbished through Apple because I found the same config brand new at a good price somewhere else.

I can only get a 32gb model from Apple. Most retailers don’t carry that.
They only carry standard configs.

 

[m1maverick]

After doing analysis my CPU/GPU usage is not really a bottleneck but my RAM is usually swapping a lot.

Since the bottleneck is insufficient RAM then go with the M4 and save over $700.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

I concur that [once one has chosen the superior Mac Pro] it should be all about the RAM. I would buy the M4 between those two choices. Refurbs from Apple are very solid, and M4 is not very old so likely not heavy wear and tear (which MBPs tolerate well anyway. I beat on my MBPs and after 7 years they still look/feel very good condition). Unlike new Macs, Apple refurbs are gone over by a live USA technician, not just a robot.

Choosing 32 GB RAM (as opposed to pricey 64 or more GB) will shorten the life cycle, making the cheaper box same RAM the better choice. IMO only folks needing special hardware support for things like 3D or gaming should pay extra for M5 over M4.

Edit: Also note that M5 MBPs today are all base level chips, whereas base, Pro and Max level M4 chips are available. Each level of chip base-Pro-Max is a large performance jump up. Just something to be aware of when comparing MBPs.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Refurbished from Apple or all “like new”, not sure what’s up with the fear mongering.
Plus completely qualified for AppleCare and the regular year 1 warranty, if there is any issues it can be swapped out for the exact same model.
Go for the M4.
From: someone who has successfully purchased and used for several years refurbished iPads, MacBooks and even a refurbished M1 iMac, all problem free and looking brand new out of box.

 

[Solarflares]

Stories of previous user’s profile details in the system.
Not fun when you’re in the middle of recording a guitar-track, and Apple pops up and asks the previous owner to sign into your FaceTime, which you never use, and is switched off.
Happened to me with two MacBooks, and there was no cure.

 

[UCLA-Bruin]

Am I the only one waiting for the M6?

 

[DIMEZ]

Performance wise you won't be missing out much if you go with the m5. if you plan on using external drive and want thunderbolt 5 go with the pro. Battery life on the m5 is great trade off.

You won't be disappointed if you go with the base m5. Even the entry level its still a powerful machine.

go with the m5. Trust me.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Performance wise you won't be missing out much if you go with the m5. if you plan on using external drive and want thunderbolt 5 go with the pro. Battery life on the m5 is great trade off.

You won't be disappointed if you go with the base m5. Even the entry level its still a powerful machine.

go with the m5. Trust me.

Sure "the entry level its still a powerful machine." But 32 GB RAM is not that much for a brand new MBP, reducing the likely life cycle. IMO save $700.

Note that this is not my usual response here, because I prefer top hardware with max RAM. An M5 MBP today, although superb hardware, is not top hardware. Between those two choices, IMO save $700.

 

[whitby]

They do not do it for Macbooks unless the battery and housing in their used state aren't up to Apple's refurbish standards. Only refurbished iPhones, iPads, Airpods, as well as the Apple Watch are guaranteed to use a new housing and new battery. Hence why refurbished Macbooks are often a worse deal than other refurbished Apple hardware. If the Macbook to be refurbished was in a good-as-new condition it will merely be inspected and repackaged. But it remains a used device (although it does come with the full warranty). But considering what Apple asks for these refurbished Macbooks in their store I have never seen an attractive offer I would want to make use of. Instead I buy through retailers when there's a sale.


This is not guaranteed for Apple refurbished Macbooks as long as the battery works fine and is above the 80% health that Apple uses to tell healthy and faulty batteries apart. Only Aple refurbished iPhones, iPads, Airpods, as well as the Apple Watch are guaranteed to come with new batteries.

From my discussions with Apple, their refurbished MacBooks must have a cycle count less than 20 and show better than 93% when received for refurbishment for the battery not to be replaced. All refurbished MacBooks I have purchased (about 20 in all) have had new batteries with a cycle count of 1 or 2. Note that batteries that fall below 80% during the AppleCare coverage are eligible for replacement. As they told it to me, in effect batteries are as new in refurbished MacBooks from Apple.

 

[whitby]

God give me strength.
Common usage wear items for a MacBook Pro, in no particular order…

Lid hinges.
All sockets.
Thermal Paste.
Fans.
Keyboard.
Trackpad.
SSD.
RAM.
PSU cable.

Your sarcasm is noted. You are indeed quite correct that over an extended time (measured in several years not weeks or months), the lid hinges, fans, keyboard and ports will certainly wear so I should have qualified my statement by saying that for machines supplied as Apple refurbished MacBooks they are most likely to have battery wear issues. I apologise for not making myself clear here. I just took it as read in the context of the current discussion so accept the legitimate criticism.

Some of your other items may indeed become less functional over very long periods, although I would not expect them to make themselves apparent in the lifetime of a consumer product like an Apple MacBook.