Value that gets better every year

The M5 chip made me re-evaluate the base MacBook Pro. WITH transition to M-chipsThe MacBook Air was full of features, so I wasn't sure who the target demo for this mid-range Pro model would be.

However, after spending some time with the M5 computer version, I discovered that the target demo version was me…

New chip, it will work

When I bought mine MacBook Pro in 2021 For just over $4,000 I got the M1 Pro chip, extra storage (2TB) and 32GB of RAM. It was an outstanding computer, but thanks to the power of the M5 chip, you can get more performance for about $1,000 less.

Deep down I want to be an M-Pro chip guy because I'm a nerd and the need for a powerful computer makes me feel hard, but when I use this M5 machine it does everything I want and more.

This year my recommendation for Mac is this: if you just need computer, take a MacBook Air. Any model from M2 and beyond will be more than enough. On the other hand, if you care about one specific feature of a computer, from screen quality to RAM speed, the MacBook Pro M5 fits the bill, and if you can afford the extra expense, it will make you happier.

This version of the MacBook Pro is designed for people who love computers, making it an incredible experience to use. When I first got mine many years ago, I felt like I had discovered my power to make movies. I haven’t done it, but it’s interesting to look at your computer from the point of view of “it can do anything.” Jane Goodall's Recent Apple Ad actually reflects this feeling very well.

I would be lying if I said there were no compromises. Since this is a base M5 chip, this model only comes with three Thunderbolt 4 ports and one fan. These downgrades probably won't matter to most, but you'll notice the fan if you plan on doing intensive tasks. I have no idea how much money Apple will save on this, but it seems like a cheap move for an expensive computer, and in the short time I spent with this model, I heard it a lot more than I did with my M4 Proor even on my old M1 Pro.

Even games look amazing on this screen.

Beyond that, there's good news like excellent battery life, an industry-leading trackpad, and enough ports for most workloads. Having it all in one portable package that's as good as a unibody MacBook becomes a no-brainer when you add it all up. Even the screen is phenomenal.

While I see many praising its smooth 120Hz performance, I'm most drawn to its impeccable contrast ratio, truly deep color reproduction, and HDR vibrancy. Everything looks better on the MacBook Pro screen.

The last thing I want to touch on is gaming. This computer's GPU is impressive and will push AAA games with relative ease, but we still struggle with the age-old problem of limited game support on the Mac. Don't get me wrong, it gets a lot better.And Crossover really impressive, but Windows and consoles still have more options. For now, it's still aimed at casual players, but they're treated much better than they were five years ago.

While I don't know if everyone with an M1 Pro chip will need to upgrade this year (those M1 chips just aren't going away), I can say that if so, you can even upgrade to this entry-level model and still get an upgrade in terms of speed, AI performance, and even graphics.

Should I wait a year for rumors about an OLED model?

Having such a good display makes other screens look bad. Buyer beware.

This is where the real question lies. The current MacBook Pro is phenomenal, butMark Gurman suggests a hardware update in 2026 that could include an OLED touchscreen display. Will this greatly improve the quality? I'm not sure, but I suspect Apple will try to make the entire computer thinner, and that update might be worth the wait.

That being said, I expect that when Apple redesigns the laptop, the first wave of the new model will only have M-Pro and M-Max chips. So anyone looking to buy a base model like this M5 unit should be prepared to spend another $1,000 or more to upgrade.

That is, when it comes down to it, the MacBook Pro has been pretty much perfect since 2021, and this new model continues that trend while showing just how efficient Apple Silicon can be. Everything related to the game Cyberpunk 2077 Editing photos on this computer is excellent. While I would like it to be a little lighter, I wouldn't call the current model heavy.

Just like Apple is having a hard time getting people to upgrade from the M1 series, I think people who stick with the M5 will also be able to use their computers for years to come. But if hardware design matters more than performance per dollar, then I'd wait until 2026 to see if a new Pro is around the corner.