Apple Announces M5 Chip Integration in MacBook Pro 14″ and Vision Pro
Apple has announced the integration of its newly developed M5 chip into the 14-inch MacBook Pro and the Vision Pro. This follows a previous announcement regarding the development of the M5. The M5 chip supersedes the M4 in the MacBook Pro and the M2 in the Vision Pro.
MacBook Pro 14″ with M5 Chip: Enhanced Performance and Efficiency
The updated 14-inch MacBook Pro, featuring the M5 chip, showcases significant performance improvements compared to its M4 predecessor. The M5 chip integrates a 10-core CPU comprising four performance cores and six efficiency cores, alongside a new 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator embedded in each core.
Apple asserts that the M5 delivers a 3.5x performance increase for AI workflows compared to the M4 model and a 6x increase compared to the M1 generation. The M5 also incorporates a 16-core Neural Engine and provides a 20% boost in multithreaded performance. Memory bandwidth has increased by 30%, now reaching 153GB/s.
A key enhancement is the extended battery life, with Apple estimating up to 24 hours on a single charge. This improvement is achieved through M5 chip optimizations, while the device maintains the same 72.4Wh battery cell as the M4 model, paired with a 70W USB-C power adapter.
The remaining hardware specifications for the M5 MacBook Pro 14″ remain consistent with the M4 model. It features a 14.2-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina XDR display with a resolution of 1,964 x 3,024 pixels and a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. The display offers a peak HDR brightness of 1,600 nits and includes a 12MP Center Stage webcam.
Connectivity options include a MagSafe charging port, three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a headphone jack. Wireless connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The MacBook Pro 14″ with the M5 chip is available in Space Black and Silver color options, with the 16/512GB variant starting at $1,599 | €1,799 | £1,599. Pre-orders are currently open in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, and the UAE, with shipments scheduled to commence on October 22.
Apple Vision Pro with M5 Chip: Improved Rendering and AI Performance
The M5-equipped Vision Pro incorporates specific enhancements compared to its predecessor. The new chip enables a 10% increase in pixel rendering on the micro-OLED displays, resulting in sharper visuals. The refresh rate has been upgraded to 120Hz, up from the original model’s 100Hz.
The integration of the M5 chip facilitates faster AI processing capabilities. Performance for first-party applications is accelerated by up to 50%, while third-party applications see a 2x increase in speed.
Battery life is also improved, with Apple claiming up to 2.5 hours of general use and 3 hours of video playback.
Notably, the weight of the new Vision Pro model has increased. Depending on the Light Seal and headband configuration, the device weighs between 750 and 800 grams, compared to the M2 Vision Pro’s weight range of 600-650 grams.
Apple has also introduced a new Dual Knit Band, available separately for $99. This band utilizes 3D knitting technology with upper and lower straps and is compatible with the original M2 Vision Pro model.
The M5 Vision Pro retains its original starting price of $3,499 | €3,699 | £3,199 for the 256GB storage configuration and is scheduled for availability starting October 22.
