16" Macbook M1pro or M5

[elite953]

Hello,

I’m considering buying a MacBook Pro 16" with M1 Pro in 2026.
The specific unit I’m looking at has 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, battery health 100% with only 58 cycles, and is in 9/10 condition — offered for ₨320,000 PKR (1100USD).

My primary usage will be:

• Browsing & online activity
• Netflix / streaming
• Office work
• Moderate use of AutoCAD 2023
• Watching movies and TV shows

My question is: Is it worth buying this M1 Pro machine in 2026?
I’m aware that macOS updates for this model are likely to stop around 2028. Should I go ahead with this purchase, or would it be better to spend extra and get a newer machine (e.g., M5 or later) instead?

I’d appreciate your honest advice. Thanks!

 

[elite953]

any suggestions ?

 

[chrono1081]

I would definitely just buy an M5.

 

[UltraAppleFan]

i would agree. maybe just get a base M5....apple refurbished has them although the prices just went up. some retailers may still sell them at the -pre-hike price

 

[JPack]

M5

Nothing you’ve described uses multiple cores. Add to the fact M5 beats M1 Pro significantly in both single and multi core performance.

 

[M5RahuL]

While that MBP is amazing ( I still own and use it ), at this point, I'd forgo the M1 series only due to it's inevitable age and potential sunset of updates from Apple going forward.

Now, if that's not a huge concern, it's an amazing computer and with 32GB RAM and that battery health, it should serve you well for quite sometime.

 

[960design]

My question is: Is it worth buying this M1 Pro machine in 2026?

Hi back at you.
I believe the M1 was discontinued early 2023.
Apple typically sunsets (vintage) laptops around 5 years after discontinuation date and obsoletes them around 7 years.
That makes the M1Pro you are looking at to go vintage in the next 6 months or so.

I recommend the M5 for performance, battery sipping and longer time to the vintage | obsolete list.

 

[charlieT]

I own a 16" MBPro M1pro. It has 16MB and the 1TB SSD. I have never, ever, felt this machine to be even remotely slow, with one exception, when memory gets maxed out and swapping begins, usually due to Parrallels and Windows 11. With 32MB ram you wouldn't run into that problem. So I'd save the money and go with the M1. I have no desire at this point to upgrade mine at all, does everything and does it well. The M5 generation seems to be an interim version, supposedly lots of AI goodies coming in the M6 and later machines, so I'd wait for those.

 

[StrollerEd]

I have had the M1Max 32GB since its launch and loved it. Although I have now upgraded to the M5Pro, I have no doubts in cascading the M1 to a relative, confident that it will be good for another 5 years for the tasks you describe.

The price tag on the new M5, even with 24GB, is likely a great deal more!