Apple is set to launch three new MacBooks in early 2026, including an M5 MacBook Air, higher-end MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and a new 12.9-inch MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, targeting various user needs and price points.
Black Friday iPad deals are already available, including discounts on all new models and previous generations, with the top deals expected on the latest M5 chip iPad Pro, while other models like the iPad Air and mini also see discounts. Shoppers are advised to research and decide on their preferred configuration beforehand to maximize savings, as retailers across the US and UK are offering significant discounts on various iPad models. Apple typically does not offer direct discounts but may provide gift vouchers, with the best deals found at major third-party retailers.
Apple is expected to release new M5 Mac mini and Mac Studio models in the middle of 2024, with the Mac mini likely not delayed by hardware issues and the Mac Studio possibly waiting for the M5 Ultra chip. The timing seems to be independent of upcoming display launches, and earlier releases are possible.
Apple's latest M5 chips in new devices are highly capable but appear underwhelming compared to the revolutionary M1, highlighting a shift from raw performance improvements to storytelling and user experience, as hardware becomes fast enough that the focus is now on how it enables new creative possibilities.
The M5 iPad Pro offers notable upgrades over the M4, including a new M5 chip, more RAM, 5G, faster charging, and display support, making it a worthwhile upgrade for power users with older models, though most M4 users might not find it necessary. The reviewer highlights improved performance, battery life, and new features, but suggests the upgrade is best for specific needs due to the high cost.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip offers solid performance and familiar design, with notable improvements in SSD speed and GPU capabilities, but features subtle updates and ongoing limitations like thermal throttling and lack of Thunderbolt 5 or Wi-Fi 7, making it a great but not revolutionary choice for current users.
The new M5 MacBook Pro significantly outperforms the M4 model in SSD read and write speeds, with up to 211% faster performance, thanks to an upgraded SSD controller, although it runs hotter under intensive workloads. The upgrade offers notable speed improvements for users, with the M5 model priced at $1,583 and the M4 at $1,349.
The M5 MacBook Pro, despite having a single-fan cooling system similar to the M4, manages to run cooler under load, reaching 99°C compared to the M4's over 100°C, likely due to thermal tweaks or better thermal paste, though its cooling solution remains less effective than dual-fan setups in higher-end models.
The article discusses Apple's new M5 chip, highlighting its performance gains compared to previous M-series chips like M4, M3, and M1, and placing these improvements within the broader context of Apple silicon's evolution over time, with visual charts illustrating incremental and significant advancements in CPU and GPU performance.
Apple has launched new products powered by the M5 chip, including the iPad Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and Apple Vision Pro, offering significant performance improvements, enhanced AI capabilities, and new features, available now through various shopping options.
The iPad Pro, approaching its 10th anniversary, has evolved significantly with the recent launch of the M5 chip and a major iPadOS 26 update, bringing Mac-like multitasking features, improved AI performance, and enhanced hardware design, making it more capable for demanding tasks while maintaining its portability and versatility.
The M5 MacBook Pro 14 (late 2025) offers significant GPU performance improvements over its predecessor, especially in AI and ray-traced graphics, but overall performance gains are narrow, and gaming performance remains limited. The device maintains excellent design, display quality, and battery life, but lacks major redesigns and has some drawbacks like a persistent notch and limited external display support. Upgrading is recommended mainly for those seeking a performance boost, with current models still being a solid choice.
The M5 MacBook Pro is a minor update featuring a new M5 chip with improved CPU, GPU, and AI capabilities, but it comes with increased power draw. It offers better performance than the M4, especially in AI tasks, while maintaining similar battery life, making it a solid choice for those upgrading from older models but not a significant upgrade for M4 owners.
The new M5 MacBook Pro offers modest upgrades primarily in performance, with an impressive single-core score and improved graphics and AI capabilities, but retains the same design, display, and ports, making it a less revolutionary update for most users.
The M5 chip offers significant performance improvements over the M4, especially in AI, graphics, and memory bandwidth, making it ideal for demanding tasks, though for everyday use the difference may be less noticeable. It is currently available in select Apple devices like the 14-inch MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and Vision Pro, with future models expected to feature higher-end variants.