New 14-Inch MacBook Pro Has Two Key Upgrades Beyond the M5 Chip

[MacRumors]

Apple on Wednesday updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model with an M5 chip, and there are two key storage-related upgrades beyond that chip bump.

First, Apple says the new 14-inch MacBook Pro offers up to 2× faster SSD performance than the equivalent previous-generation model, so read and write speeds should get a significant boost. Apple says it is using "the latest storage technology," but it did not provide any further details, and there are no SSD benchmark results yet.

Second, Apple says the 14-inch MacBook Pro base model can now be configured with up to 4TB of storage, whereas the highest storage capacity offered for the equivalent previous-generation model was 2TB. However, the highest-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Max chips can be configured with up to 8TB of storage.

The new 14-inch MacBook Pro can be pre-ordered now, and it launches Wednesday, October 22. In the U.S., pricing for this model continues to start at $1,599.

Article Link: New 14-Inch MacBook Pro Has Two Key Upgrades Beyond the M5 Chip

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple says the new 14-inch MacBook Pro offers up to 2× faster SSD performance

Sort of amazing they don't think to test this and have results ready to show.

there are no SSD benchmark results yet.

 

[Apple-achian]

Where are the critics now?

 

[Zaydax333]

Probably shifted from PCIE 3.0 to 4.0 drives if I had to guess.

 

[t0rqx]

Probably shifted from PCIE 3.0 to 4.0 drives if I had to guess.

Or uses two ssds instead of one.

 

[MallardDuck]

I did a big upgrade to my M4 - kinda maxed it out. I honestly can't think of any feature that would be compelling enough to upgrade for a long time. AI certainly isn't it (especially in it's current form). Screen isn't a thing because 90% of the time, I work on an external monitor.

Apple's in a bit of a pickle - the hardware is so good now that the lifespan is much longer.

 

[Innovati0n]

Where are the critics now?

Critics of what exactly? It's a solid machine and it still makes no sense to upgrade from an M4 to it. Though that isn't who they are targeting anyway.

 

[Stenik]

Where are the critics now?

No WiFi 7!! Are you kidding me

 

[winxmac]

Apple's in a bit of a pickle - the hardware is so good now that the lifespan is much longer.

The same can't be said about all of the OS 26.x

 

[LogicalApex]

Probably shifted from PCIE 3.0 to 4.0 drives if I had to guess.

I'd hope PCIe 5 drives at this point...

 

[aevan]

Sort of amazing they don't think to test this and have results ready to show.

They have certainly tested it, they always have exact testing info in the small print below.

 

[ikramerica]

Or uses two ssds instead of one.

Min config is double, max config is double.

So density doubled. The question is if it’s still the same number of channels or not.

Increasing density usually boosts speed, but also increases minimum file size which means everything that has thousands and millions of tiny files takes more storage space with lots of empty used space. This can improve longevity if the controller is smart enough to use different parts of the unfilled blocks each re-write.

 

[platinumaqua]

Still no benefit over M.2 socketed SSDs for me, especially when they're possibly the same SSD chips available in the M.2 sticks that's cheaper to buy retail for $/GB

 

[Astuces iOS]

Yo it's not a real new MacBook Pro.. it's just different specs options... If this is a new MacBook Pro, well the MacBook Air M3 with 16gb of ram is a new MacBook Air too (the model released at the same time as the m4 mbp)...

Same like for AirPods Pro 2 usb-c... it's a revision, not new AirPods...

 

[delsoul]

A person buying a base model, non pro-max version, isn’t going to buy one with 4tb of storage…especially at Apple prices. Someone frugal buying the entry model is going to more than likely just use an external drive of some sorts to backup their data. Frugality is key.

 

[neuropsychguy]

My M1 Pro MBP is still humming along perfectly. While An M5 Pro (when released) is enticing, I'm good for another couple years.

 

[turbineseaplane]

They have certainly tested it, they always have exact testing info in the small print below.

Oh! What are the benchmark results?

I thought we didn't have those yet, per the article.

 

[iMac The Knife]

MR: 2× faster SSD performance
Also MR: there are no SSD benchmark results yet

I love getting raw data like this to make my purchasing decisions that much easier!

 

[turbineseaplane]

MR: 2× faster SSD performance
Also MR: there are no SSD benchmark results yet

I love getting raw data like this to make my purchasing decisions that much easier!

I hope they really are 2X the speed.

If they are going to royally screw everyone on upgrade pricing, at least make them really great upgrades with speeds to match!

 

[iMac The Knife]

I hope they really are 2X the speed.

If they are going to royally screw everyone on upgrade pricing, at least make them really great upgrades with speeds to match!

Right!? I will never complain about getting 2x the SSD read/write speeds.

 

[iMac The Knife]

They have certainly tested it, they always have exact testing info in the small print below.

Where is this information in small print? Maybe it is too small for me to see...

 

[ttyRazor]

Probably shifted from PCIE 3.0 to 4.0 drives if I had to guess.

The SSD controller is part of the M-series SoC and isn't limited by the typical 4 lane PCIe connection, so they're either using faster NAND chips that would go on faster PCIe SSDs or more of them.

 

[Plutonius]

Another benefit that wasn't mentioned is that they are saving the environment in the EU by not including a charger .

 

[Black.Infinity]

I don’t think people with PCI 3.0 will miss too much. This video gives speed difference between Gen 3 vs 4.

 

[johnnytravels]

Another benefit that wasn't mentioned is that they are saving the environment in the EU by not including a charger .

Yeah I bet this is their way of comping for tariffs without it showing. And it’s “middle finger to the EU” of course since we’re not talking about a random phone charger thing but a high power brick to charge a laptop battery the size of several phones.
It’s a douchy move tbh