The M5 MacBook Pro is here. Should you upgrade?

The M5 MacBook Pro has arrived. It's sleek, it's powerful, and it brings Apple's latest silicon to the table. But if you're holding an older MacBook, you're probably asking the same question everyone else is. Should you actually upgrade?

To be honest, it's a harder question to answer than usual. This isn't a complete overhaul of the laptop we know. Instead, Apple has focused heavily on internal changes, specifically around AI performance and local processing.

We've unboxed the new 14-inch model to see what's changed, what's stayed the same, and who this machine is actually for. Let's break it down.

Unboxing the M5

The unboxing experience is classic Apple. Clean, minimal, and satisfying. We picked up the 14-inch model in Space Black, and it looks stunning right out of the box.

Once you peel off the protective screen, you're greeted by that familiar Apple boot chime. In terms of external hardware, not much has shifted here. You're getting the same robust port selection and that beautiful mini-LED display we've come to love.

If you were hoping for a design refresh, this isn't it. But that's not a bad thing. The chassis is solid, the screen is incredible, and the keyboard remains top-tier.

The M5 performance difference

Here is where things get interesting. The M5 chip isn't just about raw speed increases for browsing or email. Apple seems to be pivoting hard toward artificial intelligence.

The M5 is optimized to improve AI performance locally. That means tasks involving machine learning or on-device AI generation happen faster and more efficiently right on your laptop, without needing to reach out to the cloud.

While this is impressive tech, it does beg the question: how many of you are using these workflows daily? If you live in AI tools, this is a big deal. For everyone else, the performance gap between the M4 and M5 might feel subtle.

Who should actually buy this?

This is the most important part. Because the M-series chips are so good, you might not need to spend the money. Here is my personal recommendation on who needs to upgrade and who should skip this generation.

You should skip this if...

You already have an M1, M2, M3, or M4 MacBook Pro
You are waiting for the absolute most power (the M5 Pro and Max chips are coming later)

It sounds crazy to say, but even the original M1 MacBook Pro is still an incredible machine. It runs amazing. If you have any Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, the M5 is likely not a necessary upgrade for you right now.

You should buy this if...

You are still using an Intel-based MacBook
You need a new laptop immediately and can't wait for the Pro/Max variants

If you are coming from an Intel model, this upgrade is massive. The battery life, the lack of heat, and the speed will feel like a completely different world. The 14-inch model is my personal favorite size, and for Intel users, this is the perfect time to jump in.

A few more details

There are a couple of specific updates and caveats with this release that you should know before hitting the buy button:

You can now configure up to 4TB of storage, which is faster than previous generations
If you are in the UK or EU, the box does not include a charging brick. You'll need to use one you have or buy it separately

The verdict

The M5 MacBook Pro is a powerhouse, no doubt about it. It has all the bells and whistles we expect from a Pro Mac. If you need the AI performance or you're upgrading from an old Intel machine, you're going to love it.

But for those of you already rocking an M-series chip, you can rest easy. Your current laptop is still fantastic. If you really want the next level of performance, you might want to wait a little longer for the M5 Pro and Max chips to drop.