Apple M5 MacBook Pro Reviews: A Massive Internal Overhaul in the Same Design

Apple has lifted the embargo on its newest M5 MacBook Pro lineup this afternoon, with reviews of the new M5 Pro and M5 Max hitting the web from its hand-picked media testers.

Here’s a roundup of what people are saying:

• The Verge: Apple’s new M5 Max feels like a huge upgrade if you bought your laptop three years ago
• Tom’s Hardware: Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M5 Max) review: Blazing-fast super cores
• Gizmodo: M5 Max MacBook Pro Review: Preeminent Power In the Same Old Shell
• Macworld: 16-inch MacBook Pro (M5 Max) review: Ultra speed with shocking reads
• Ars Technica: Testing Apple’s 2026 16-inch MacBook Pro, M5 Max, and its new “performance” cores
• Tom’s Guide: I just tested the MacBook Pro 16-inch M5 Pro — and its stellar performance and epic battery life blew me away
• CNET: MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro, M5 Max Review: Go, Speed Racer, Go
• Six Colors: M5 Pro MacBook Pro review: Fast, familiar friend
• TechRadar: Apple’s latest MacBook Pro surges ahead for battery life — but with one disappointing surprise
• Notebookcheck: Apple MacBook Pro 16 2026 Review – M5 Pro makes one of the best multimedia laptops even better
• Creative Bloq: I tried the ridiculously powerful MacBook Pro M5 Max

It’s clear from these early reviews that Apple’s own chips are getting incredibly faster with every generation. With now double the starting storage at the same price, Apple is clearly trying to get those with older MacBook Pros to upgrade. Any professional that needs the fastest laptop for editing video or something with demanding tasks, it’s a no-brainer to get an upgrade, if you can afford it.

The new M5 MacBook Pro launches on Wednesday, March 11 and is priced from $2,399 in Canada.