Apple’s latest MacBook Pro refresh introduces a redesigned display cutout and a return of the illuminated Apple logo, while retaining the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips used in the previous update. The new models offer up to 128GB of RAM and 16TB of storage, with pre-orders beginning today and deliveries scheduled for November 6.
Design changes
The camera notch at the top of the screen has been replaced by a small black cutout that Apple calls a Dynamic Island. It will probably work similarly to the feature on the iPhone, expanding and contracting to display live activities and other information.
The refresh also includes a retro design feature: the Apple logo on the back of the lid lights up, as it did on older MacBook models.
Chips, memory and storage
The updated MacBook Pro uses the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips as the previous refresh. Apple has already introduced the M6 series in other Macs, but appears to be skipping it for this update. Earlier reports suggested that Apple planned to delay chip updates until the M7 series, which could deliver significant improvements in artificial-intelligence performance similar to those in the recently released A20 Pro chip for the iPhone.
Memory configurations now exceed those available in previous M5 Max MacBook Pro models, reaching up to 128GB of RAM. Storage can be configured with up to 16TB, if the additional capacity is needed.
Availability and pricing
Pre-orders begin today, and the new MacBook Pro will be delivered to customers on November 6. The 14-inch model with an M5 Pro starts at $2,899, while the 16-inch model starts at $3,399.
Models with the M5 Max start at $4,499 for the 14-inch version and $4,799 for the 16-inch version. These prices do not include optional RAM or storage upgrades.
Source: arstechnica.com
