Apple MacBook Pro (M5 Pro 2026) Review

https://www.cgmagonline.com/review/hardware/apple-macbook-pro-m5-pro-2026/

Publish Date: 2026-03-09 18:34:00

Every year, Apple works to improve the already solid MacBook Pro without losing what makes the laptop so beloved. With the March 2026 refresh powered by the Apple M5 chip family, the company has managed to do exactly that, delivering a machine that feels purpose-built for content creation and other professional workflows. While on the surface it may seem like a relatively safe update, the new system-on-chip architecture at the heart of the device makes the 2026 MacBook Pro well worth considering if you are due for an upgrade.

Unboxing this year’s MacBook Pro reveals a laptop that feels almost indistinguishable from last year’s model. The 14-inch unit we were sent for review looks nearly identical to the version we reviewed previously. The only noticeable difference is that the new model is slightly heavier at 1.58 kilograms compared with 1.54 kilograms. Considering that the new model includes additional RAM, a nano-texture display option, and an updated system-on-chip, the weight difference makes sense. The MacBook Pro line also remains one of the best-looking laptop ranges on the market, so anyone who liked previous designs will feel right at home with the 2026 version.

This year’s MacBook Pro is available in 14-inch and 16-inch configurations and runs on one of three chips: the Apple M5, Apple M5 Pro or Apple M5 Max. Apple built all three using advanced three-nanometre process technology, and the performance improvements appear across the board. The base M5 includes up to a 10-core CPU paired with up to a 10-core GPU and supports up to 32 GB of unified memory with 153 GB/s of bandwidth.

Stepping up to the M5 Pro increases that to as many as 18 CPU cores and up to 20 GPU cores, alongside support for up to 64 GB of unified memory and 307 GB/s of bandwidth. The M5 Max pairs the same 18-core CPU with up to 40 GPU cores, supports up to 128 GB of unified memory and delivers an enormous 614 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Apple also introduced a new…

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