New M5 Chip Comes to iPad Pro, MacBook Pro 14″, & Apple Vision Pro
Apple has updated the iPad Pro lineup, MacBook Pro 14″, and Apple Vision Pro, to feature the all new M5 chip. These are basically spec-bump updates focused on the new M5 chip architecture, with no new hardware redesign or major new features or changes otherwise.
The new M5 chip architecture is apparently notably faster with AI performance, CPU performance, and GPU performance, with battery energy efficiency leading to improved battery life. Apple’s press releases describe the M5 chip as “incredibly powerful” and delivering “huge leaps” in performance. The M5 iPad Pro and M5 MacBook Pro also includes a faster SSD with 2x performance compared to prior models, according to Apple.
The new M5 chip graces the entire updated iPad Pro lineup (both 11″ and 13″ models), along with the updated Apple Vision Pro, but the M5 chip is currently only available on the MacBook Pro 14″ model, as apparently the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are not yet ready for other MacBook Pro models.
I don’t want to bore you with repetitive marketing gobbledegook, because again, the M5 chip is really the main difference in these product updates, but if you are interested in reading more about the freshly updated hardware, whether to make a purchasing decision or to enjoy Apple’s sales pitch, here are the relevant links to Apple newsroom:
- Apple Newsroom: Apple unveils new 14‑inch MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip
- Apple Newsroom: Apple introduces the powerful new iPad Pro with the M5 chip
- Apple Newsroom: Apple Vision Pro upgraded with the powerful M5 chip and comfortable Dual Knit Band
You can pre-order the new M5 devices now if you’re interested.
Oh, and Apple has also re-released a black color option for the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air models. Previously Magic Keyboard for iPad Air had both black and white color options, then they updated the keyboard and removed the black color option (as well as keyboard backlighting), but have now made the black color option available again, minus the keyboard backlighting.
Aside from the M5 chip, there is one kind of weird and likely less popular difference in one of the new products too, and that is the new MacBook Pro M5 model does not include a charger for buyers based in Europe, so European buyers will have to cough up an additional sum to be able to charge their MacBook Pro, or use an existing charger if they own one. They do generously include a USB-C cable that you might be able to use with an existing charger, however. Apple has been removing bundled chargers from their product boxes for a while now, starting with iPhone models, in what they claim is a green initiative. But is it really greener for someone to make a separate purchase, likely with separate shipping, and have a second separate round of production, packaging, shipping, and delivery? I am highly skeptical of that claim, but requiring users to buy chargers separately might help Apple accessory sales be further in the green and perhaps the the AAPL stock price too. It feels cynical and very nickel-and-dimey, but so does having to pay separately for iCloud to be able to backup your freshly purchased $1200 iPhone. But Apple didn’t become a multi-trillion dollar corporation out of nothing, and they certainly know how to generate a lot of revenue! Ahh, modern Apple, so much to love, and some things to gripe about.
Anyhow, how about that new M5 chip eh? Presumably the rest of the MacBook Pro will get boosted by the same chip soon enough, and eventually the MacBook Air will too, but the timeline on those are probably a bit further down the road. So if you want to enjoy the M5 chip goodness now, you’ll have to stick with the new iPad Pro or 14″ MacBook Pro, or Apple Vision Pro.
