How to preorder Apples new MacBook Pros with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
Source: Mashable Tech
Haley Henschel – Senior Shopping Reporter
Haley Henschel is a Chicago‑based Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable who reviews and finds deals on popular tech, from laptops to gaming consoles and VPNs. She has years of experience covering shopping holidays and can tell you what’s actually worth buying on Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Her work has also explored the driving forces behind digital trends within the shopping sphere, from dupes to 12‑foot skeletons.
Published on March 3, 2026
Apple is launching updated MacBook Pros
Apple announced Tuesday that it will release new MacBook Pros equipped with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips and double the starting storage. Pre‑orders begin on Wednesday, March 4, and the laptops will start shipping March 11. Links to the Apple Store and third‑party retailers will be added soon.
Credit: Apple
Pricing
| Model | Starting Price* | Base Storage |
|---|---|---|
| 14‑inch M5 Pro | $2,199 | 1 TB |
| 16‑inch M5 Pro | $2,699 | 1 TB |
| 14‑inch M5 Max | $3,599 | 2 TB |
| 16‑inch M5 Max | $3,899 | 2 TB |
*Education discounts of up to $200 are available for direct purchases.
Apple says the M5 Pro models are “for users running complex workflows, like coders optimizing algorithms and photographers processing massive image libraries” (see the press release).
The M5 Max models are aimed at “those pushing the absolute limits, such as engineers running rigorous simulations.”
Comparison with previous generation
- 14‑inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro/M5 Pro, 24 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) — $2,199
- 16‑inch MacBook Pro (M4 Pro/M5 Pro, 24 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD) — $2,699
- 14‑inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max/M5 Max, 36 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD) — $3,599
- 16‑inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max/M5 Max, 36 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD) — $3,899
When configured identically (same storage and RAM), the prices are unchanged from the prior generation.
Entry‑level 14‑inch MacBook Pro
Apple also updated its entry‑level 14‑inch MacBook Pro (regular M5 chip) – originally released in October 2025. It now ships with 1 TB of storage and a starting price of $1,699 (up from $1,599 with 512 GB; the 1 TB upgrade costs $200).
Other upcoming Apple products
The updated MacBook Pros won’t be the only devices hitting pre‑order on Wednesday:
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Credit: Apple
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New Studio Displays.
A still‑unannounced budget MacBook is reportedly joining the party, too.
If the rumor mill is correct, it could cost $599 – $799 — giving Chromebooks and cheap Windows laptops some fresh competition.
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Specs: What’s New
Credit: Apple
Both updated variants of the MacBook Pro feature Apple’s N1 chip, which adds support for Wi‑Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Apart from the new wireless standards, the hardware is largely the same as the previous generation.
M5 Pro Models
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 14‑inch, 16‑inch |
| Starting price | $2,199 (14‑in) • $2,699 (16‑in) |
| Processor | M5 Pro – up to 18‑core CPU, up to 20‑core GPU |
| Display | Liquid Retina XDR, up to 120 Hz, 1,000 nits SDR / 1,600 nits HDR (optional nano‑texture finish) |
| Memory | 24 GB – 64 GB RAM |
| Storage | 1 TB – 4 TB SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Battery life | Up to 24 hrs video streaming |
| Webcam | 12 MP Center Stage |
| Ports | 3 × Thunderbolt 5 (USB‑C), HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, headphone jack |
| Colors | Space Black, Silver |
M5 Max Models
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 14‑inch, 16‑inch |
| Starting price | $3,599 (14‑in) • $3,899 (16‑in) |
| Processor | M5 Max – 18‑core CPU, 32‑core GPU |
| Display | Liquid Retina XDR, up to 120 Hz, 1,000 nits SDR / 1,600 nits HDR (optional nano‑texture finish) |
| Memory | 36 GB – 128 GB RAM |
| Storage | 2 TB – 8 TB SSD |
| Connectivity | Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 |
| Battery life | Up to 22 hrs video streaming |
| Webcam | 12 MP Center Stage |
| Ports | 3 × Thunderbolt 5 (USB‑C), HDMI, SDXC, MagSafe 3, headphone jack |
| Colors | Space Black, Silver |
About the Author
Haley Henschel – Senior Shopping Reporter at Mashable
Chicago‑based tech‑shopping writer who reviews laptops, consoles, VPNs, and other consumer gadgets. She covers holiday deals and explores trends in the shopping world, from dupes to quirky product fads.
(Links to her work: Best dupes, 12‑foot skeletons)
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