The new M5 MacBook Pro offers cutting-edge performance with its fastest single-core processor and ProMotion display, but the M4 Air remains the best value for most users in South Africa, providing exceptional performance at a significantly lower price. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Image: Michael Sherman/IOL
The new M5 MacBook Pro 14” went on sale earlier this week.
Let's take a look at what you get and how the new M5 stacks up against its predecessor, the M4.
The new M5 will start at R34,499 - R1,500 less than the starting price of the previous model, which will feature the fastest single-core processor on the market at the moment.
It’s also up to 45% faster than the M4 equivalent in some areas, like graphics performance.
Apple said that the new M5 also boasts faster storage and faster unified memory. It comes with a high-quality display with ProMotion (120Hz variable refresh rate) and an incredible speaker system.
There’s just one problem, though, if you’re in any doubt about whether or not you need all that power, you don’t.
For around 95% of users who don’t do intensive video editing, sound production, and/or graphic design, the M4 Air still has all the power you will ever need.
In fact, the M4 Air is more than capable of all those demanding tasks as it is a powerhouse in its own right. For every other use case, like web browsing and general snappiness, it will be just as fast as the new model.
The Air has a smaller 13.6” screen compared to the 14.2 inch of the Pro, and the size difference is actually quite small.
The display quality is quite good, with the Air only boasting a 60Hz. However, the Liquid Retina display is still a fantastic screen, and unless you had size by side with the Pro, you’d never notice the difference.
The biggest thing in favour of the Air, though, is the price. Currently at R22,499, it is far less outlay for a premium device. In fact, the M4 Air has already been on special since its launch for R19,999 and with Black Friday sales coming up in November, there’s every chance it will go on special for that price again soon.