The current 14-inch MacBook Pro design is approaching five years old. It is no secret that Apple is working on a redesign for its MacBook Pro series.
Despite these facts, there is still a strong argument for buying one today – even if big changes are on the way.
First of all, when I say M5 MacBook Pro – I am specifically referring to the base model 14-inch MacBook Pro that comes with M5, not the M5 Pro or M5 Max models. With those models, if you really don’t need processing power right now, it would be better for you to wait for the redesign.
However, there is a good reason for you to consider buying the base model M5, and it is quite simple. If your budget allows for the base model MacBook Pro that comes with M5, then the redesign will not be available to you yet – unless you are willing to spend a little more.
The Redesign is Only Coming for M6 Pro and M6 Max
As of today, it seems that Apple will only launch the MacBook Pro redesign in the higher-end models. Currently, there are no plans to release a base model M6 with the redesign.
Therefore, if you are hesitating to buy a new MacBook Pro because of the redesign – you may need to reassess your situation.
The redesign situation exclusive to M6 Pro and M6 Max is actually not unusual. When the current design was released in 2021, it was only offered with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, and the starting price was $1999. The cheaper model starting with the base M3 was released in 2023.
If your budget does not exceed $2000 (which may be higher due to recent supply chain constraints), it would be better for you not to wait for the redesign.
What are the Next Steps?
If history repeats itself – you might see a base model MacBook Pro with a new design in 2028. This is not particularly exciting news, but that is how Apple does things. Of course, everything can change. It might be sooner.
To summarize, the redesigned MacBook Pro will include an OLED display, a thinner design, touchscreen capability, the possibility of 5G cellular network, and more. It is not surprising that it will take some time for the prices of these features to drop a bit – especially considering the current supply constraints related to memory and chip production.
Review
If you are a potential MacBook Pro buyer but are not in the $2000+ price range, the current M5 MacBook Pro will be your best option for the next few years. You can currently purchase it on Amazon with a discount of $150-200. Apple has also upgraded the base storage to 1TB, making it an even better value:
- M5 MacBook Pro (1TB SSD, 16GB memory) – $1549 on Amazon
- M5 MacBook Pro (1TB SSD, 24GB memory) – $1799 on Amazon
- M5 MacBook Pro (1TB SSD, 32GB memory) – $1999 on Amazon
This is not exactly super exciting, but I believe that the base model MacBook Pro offers great value without straining your budget for a MacBook Pro with a Pro chip, providing a better screen and performance than the MacBook Air.
Will you spend on a redesigned MacBook Pro this fall, or will you wait for Apple to release a model with basic Apple Silicon? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite Apple accessory recommendations:
- Anker MagSafe/Qi2 Ultra Slim Battery Pack
- AirPods Pro 3 (2x ANC, compared to AirPods Pro 2!)
- Anker Nano 45W Fast Charger with Smart Display
- Anker 3-in-1 Prime 25W MagSafe Charging Stand
- Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse for Mac
- Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 USB-C hub
Follow Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram
Comments
(1 Comment)