This video provides a comprehensive review and performance analysis of the new 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with Apple's M5 processor. While the laptop's physical design, ports, display, and peripherals are virtually identical to the previous M4 generation, the new M5 chip inside represents a monumental leap in performance. A notable point of contention is the lack of an upgrade to Wi-Fi 7, which remains a surprising omission for a high-end device.
Through extensive benchmarking, the M5's single-core performance is shown to be exceptional, achieving record-breaking scores in Cinebench 2024 and Passmark that surpass even high-end desktop CPUs, validating Apple's claim of having the fastest performance core. The video documents significant generational uplifts across various tasks, including CPU-intensive work (~17%), GPU rendering (>35%), gaming (up to 90%), and local AI workloads (~25%). Despite this power increase, the laptop maintains the excellent all-day battery life of its predecessor. The reviewer concludes that the M5's sheer speed makes it the best laptop of the year, despite its iterative external design.
Unpacking the Power of the Apple M5 MacBook Pro
0:00 Introduction to the M5: The video introduces the new MacBook Pro, highlighting Apple's claim that its M5 chip contains the single fastest CPU performance core on the market.
1:36 An Iterative Design: The M5 MacBook Pro is physically identical to the M4 generation, featuring the same chassis, weight, ports (MagSafe, Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, SD card reader), keyboard, trackpad, and high-quality XDR display.
2:31 Disappointment with Wi-Fi 6E: A key criticism is that the laptop still uses Wi-Fi 6E instead of the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, meaning the latest iPhones have faster peak wireless capabilities.
9:06 Record-Breaking CPU Performance: Benchmarks confirm the M5's power. In Cinebench 2024, it achieves a single-core score of 200 (a ~16% increase over the M4) and a multi-core score of nearly 1200 (~17% increase). In Passmark, its single-threaded score of 6,000 surpasses top-tier desktop CPUs.
10:39 Massive GPU and Gaming Uplift: The M5's integrated GPU sees dramatic improvements. It is over 35% faster in Blender GPU rendering and delivers a staggering near-90% performance increase in the game Shadow of the Tomb Raider compared to the base M4. Ray-tracing performance is also up by over 50%.
13:48 Excellent Battery Life Maintained: Despite the significant performance gains, the M5 model maintains the same outstanding battery life as its predecessor, lasting approximately 17 hours in a video streaming endurance test.
15:14 Significant AI Acceleration: The M5 demonstrates a substantial boost in AI-related tasks. In a local Large Language Model (LLM) test, it generated text around 25% faster than the M4, showcasing the improved neural engine and memory bandwidth.
16:44 The Verdict: Best Laptop of the Year: The reviewer concludes that while the exterior is unchanged and the lack of Wi-Fi 7 is a letdown, the monumental performance of the M5 chip makes it a phenomenal machine and arguably the best laptop of the year.