Apple launches new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

Apple has launched a major update across its Mac lineup, introducing the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside refreshed MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models. The new processors bring Apple’s Fusion Architecture, higher CPU and GPU performance, and expanded on‑device AI capabilities.

The M5 Pro and M5 Max are built from two 3nm dies connected into a single SoC, enabling higher bandwidth and more parallel compute. Both chips feature an 18‑core CPU with six ‘super cores' and twelve performance cores, which Apple says deliver up to 30% faster performance in professional workflows. GPU configurations scale up to 40 cores, each with a Neural Accelerator, resulting in more than 4x the peak GPU compute for AI compared to the previous generation.

These chips power the updated 14‑inch and 16‑inch MacBook Pro models, which retain the same design but gain faster SSDs, Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 via Apple’s N1 wireless chip, and higher base storage. The 14‑inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro starts at $2,199, while the 16‑inch version starts at $2,699. Configurations with the M5 Max begin at $3,599 (14‑inch) and $3,899 (16‑inch).

Apple also introduced the new MacBook Air with M5, available in 13‑inch and 15‑inch sizes. The M5 chip features a 10‑core CPU and up to a 10‑core GPU, with each GPU core also including a Neural Accelerator for AI workloads. The MacBook Air now starts at 512GB of storage, replacing the old 256GB baseline. The newer model can be upgraded to up to 4TB of storage and it also gains the new N1 wireless chip, providing support for WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Pricing starts at $1,099 for the 13‑inch model and $1,299 for the 15‑inch model.

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