So, Apple announced the new and improved M5 chip being put into three different products this year with more releasing in 2026. So, let’s talk about what’s new.
Understanding the M5 Processor
The M5 chip is the newest processor by Apple that received a very solid upgrade this year from M4 with a significant boost to the CPU and GPU performance, resulting in some nice general performance boosts and even some actually surprising gaming performance boosts. So, great job Apple catering to its relatively small gaming audience. Although the M processors being better performing for games year after year will probably get the attention of gaming companies in the future.
In addition to the processor also getting a significant boost to its AI performance as well. So from what I can tell the M5 processor in general is a great and fairly significant upgrade from what came before it. If you want a more detailed look at the chipset, definitely check out this video by Art is Wright who talks about the processor with many different applications.
New M5 Hardware Lineup
Now, taking a look at the products receiving this chip, we have three for 2025. The starter MacBook Pro 14in, the iPad Pro, and the Apple Vision Pro. A lot of pros.
The Starter MacBook Pro (14-inch)
The starter MacBook Pro being the product that is likely getting the most attention is without a doubt a good buy for those in the market. Now, I know taking a look at the Apple comparison chart online, the new M5 MacBook Pro does not look any different from the previous starter M4 MacBook Pro, but it actually is. And it still retains the same starter price, plus faster SSD performance and better RAM performance, too.
It’s nice and an even great upgrade for those who have been using the older maybe M1 generation of MacBooks or even prem devices. Of course, these laptops are still tools for work, so focus on your needs here. But know that if you buy the starter MacBook Pro in 2025 and 2026, you’re getting the most new and improved device that keeps up with the competition. Is it something to upgrade for those who rock the M4, M3, or even M2 or maybe M1 processors? Probably not, especially M4 or M3, though. Maybe M2, potentially M1. But if you’re looking for a good performance laptop to go to, the Starter M5 MacBook Pro is a good option.
iPad Pro
Next up is the iPad Pro. And this one is again a good little upgrade to keep the iPad Pros in line with the rest of Apple’s lineup, but of course it’s more niche. The iPad Pro is the tablet for those who need the performance and are those super tabletly users. And for those individuals, yeah, the M5 upgrade is nice. Though the software needs to receive a bit of an upgrade, too. Most YouTubers have gone on record saying this, myself included, for a while.
But the iPad Pro, including the M5 version, is very powerful, but also held back. It needs some more software freedom to really utilize the power of that chip because at the moment, there are only a few programs that can take advantage of that power. And even then, many of them don’t even reach its full potential. So, I’d say the iPad Pro, although a super cool device, is receiving an upgrade that is less substantial than the rest. but definitely nice to have for those looking to get a new iPad Pro with the most new and improved processor, which I’d say it’d be best to consider this one if you’re coming from any of the premium iPad Pros.
Apple Vision Pro
And finally, the last product receiving M5 is the Apple Vision Pro. The Vision Pro is a super interesting concept that I don’t think has received as much attention as Apple wanted in the years following its debut, but adding the new chip into the Vision Pro is a great upgrade for those just getting the device. And also, there’s a new strap that goes over your head for better safety and holding of the device under your head. The device now comes with a 120 Hz display, which is great for a smoother viewing experience.
But, of course, the device still starts at $3,500, so it’s still very niche, and it starts with 256 GB of storage, so still fairly low in that storage department. But, the upgrade is a good step in the right direction. though hopefully Apple will make the Vision Pro or products similar to it more affordable for the general public in the future. And those were the three products receiving the M5 upgrade announced in October 2025 from Apple. What do you think of them? Will you be upgrading? Let me know in the comment section down below. And without further ado, my name is Cirrus. It’s spelled like Cyrus pronouncing C Rooster. Just take out the tur. Thank you very much for reading and have a wonderful day. Peace.
