Apple Unveils M5-Powered MacBook Pro, Touting Major AI and Performance Leap
Looks like the rumours were true as Apple has officially introduced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro built around its latest M5 processor. The announcement centres on the new chip’s capabilities in artificial intelligence tasks, with the company claiming significant performance increases over the previous generation. The new model will ship with the upcoming macOS Tahoe and will be offered at a starting price of RM6,999.
M5 Chip Specifications
The central upgrade in the new laptop is the M5 chip. According to Apple’s specifications, the processor includes a 10-core GPU with an integrated Neural Accelerator in each core. The company claims this new architecture delivers up to 3.5 times faster performance in AI-related tasks compared to the M4 chip.
Other key technical claims include:
- Neural Engine: A 16-core Neural Engine designed to accelerate on-device machine learning.
- CPU Performance: The 10-core CPU is said to offer up to a 20 percent improvement in multithreaded performance over the M4.
- Graphics and Storage: The M5 is rated for up to 1.6x faster graphics performance, while the solid-state drive (SSD) is reportedly up to 2x faster than the prior generation.
- Battery Life: Apple states the new model can achieve up to 24 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Performance Gains and Target Audience
Apple is positioning the M5-equipped MacBook Pro as a substantial upgrade for users with older models, particularly those with Intel or M1 processors. The company provided performance benchmarks suggesting the M5 is up to 6.8x faster in 3D rendering and 7.7x faster in AI video enhancement when compared to the original M1-based MacBook Pro.
These improvements are aimed at professionals and students using demanding applications for creative work, software development, and data analysis. The faster on-device processing is intended to improve workflows that rely on local large language models (LLMs) and generative AI tools.
Software and Availability
The new MacBook Pro will run on macOS Tahoe, the next version of Apple’s desktop operating system. It will also integrate Apple Intelligence features, including Live Translation capabilities within communication apps.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip will be available for pre-order in space black and silver. The base configuration starts at RM6,999, with an education discount available.
