MacBook Pro M5 review: serious power, still long battery life

No other laptop can provide this level of performance with long battery life thanks to Apple’s top-tier M5 Pro and M5 Max chips Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianView image in fullscreenNo other laptop can provide this level of performance with long battery life thanks to Apple’s top-tier M5 Pro and M5 Max chips Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianLaptopsReviewMacBook Pro M5 review: serious power, still long battery lifeApple laptop sets new performance bar with more storage, new chips and plenty of options, but now has two-tier specs depending on processorSamuel Gibbs Consumer technology editorTue 28 Apr 2026 02.00 EDTLast modified on Tue 28 Apr 2026 02.02 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.Apple’s Macs have been on a roll this year with the brand new budget MacBook Neo and a faster MacBook Air M5, but now it’s time for its workhorse MacBook Pro to be upgraded with the fastest, most powerful M-series chips.The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more.The latest MacBook Pro comes in two screen sizes and a large range of chip and configuration options. The 14in version starts with the M5 chip costing £1,699 (€1,899/$1,699/A$2,699) and then jumps to the more powerful M5 Pro from £2,199 (€2,499/$2,199/A$3,499) before climbing further for the 16in version or the top M5 Max chip. A pricey machine for professional workloads.The three chip versions of the laptop create three tiers of machine: the M5 is for people who need roughly the performance of a MacBook Air but want the much fancier screen, extra ports and other bells and whistles of the Pro model.The M5 Pro version is the laptop most MacBook Pro buyers should consider, providing significantly greater performance for demanding workloads and faster wifi 7. If your work needs the M5 Max chip with twice the graphics power and up to 128GB of memory, you probably already know it.View image in fullscreenThe simple, sleek all-aluminium design looks just as good in 2026 as it did on its introduction in 2021. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianThe laptop’s exterior hasn’t changed much since the design launched in 2021, but it has stood the test of time very well. The solid aluminium body looks great and travels well, slipping easily into backpacks and resisting the kind of flexing that causes screen and other issues. The keyboard and trackpad are first class and the super bright and crisp 120Hz mini LED screen is rarely rivalled in competitors’ machines.Apple sells a nano texture upgrade for the display glass, which diffuses glare very effectively and is worth considering. Coupled with the sustained 1,000nit brightness of the screen – double the 13in MacBook Air – you can actually work outside in direct sunlight if need be.The excellent Centre Stage webcam, high quality mics and some of the best speakers you’ll find on a laptop round out the package.View image in fullscreenThe Touch ID fingerprint reader in the power button is fast and accurate. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The GuardianSpecifications Screen: 14.2in mini LED (3024x1964; 254 ppi) ProMotion (120Hz) Processor: Apple M5, Pro or Max RAM: 16, 24, 32, 36, 48, 64 or 128GB Storage: 1, 2, 4 or 8TB SSD Operating system: macOS 26.4 Tahoe Camera: 12MP Centre Stage Connectivity (M5): wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 3x Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, HDMI…

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