The Apple MacBook Pro M5 is on Sale, and a Top MacBook to Buy Right Now
Apple unveiled a refreshed 14‑inch MacBook Pro in April, swapping the M5 for the newer M6 silicon. The M6 adds two CPU cores, two GPU cores, a second 16‑core Neural Engine and faster memory bandwidth, plus Wi‑Fi 7. Aside from those tweaks, the chassis, mini‑LED display, port selection and battery life remain unchanged. Retail pricing places the M6 roughly $200 above the M5, but Amazon and Walmart are already offering the M5 at that discount, effectively undercutting Apple’s own price. For most professional workloads—coding, document editing, video rendering—the incremental performance gain is modest, especially since the base 14‑inch Pro shares the same M5 chip found in the current MacBook Air and iPad Pro.
The price disparity reflects Apple’s typical generational pricing strategy, where new silicon launches at a premium while older models quickly become bargain options. This mirrors past cycles where the M2‑based MacBooks were eclipsed by M3‑based machines, yet the former continued to sell strongly at reduced rates. The 15‑inch MacBook Air, also powered by the M5, now sells for $1,549 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD—a $150 markdown from Apple’s list price—positioning it as a compelling alternative for users who prioritize portability over the Pro’s brighter mini‑LED panel and extra ports (HDMI, SD slot, dual‑sided USB‑C). The current market thus offers a rare window where Apple’s “pro” line is outperformed in value by its own “air” line.
Looking ahead, consumers who need the Pro’s superior display and connectivity will likely snap up the M5 while the M6 remains overpriced for most tasks. Apple may later trim the M6’s price or introduce a mid‑tier configuration to justify the premium. Buyers should also monitor the rollout of Wi‑Fi 7‑enabled accessories and any upcoming software updates that could leverage the M6’s enhanced neural engine, which could shift the cost‑benefit equation. Finally, the aggressive discounting on Amazon and Walmart suggests third‑party retailers are willing to absorb margin to move inventory, a sign that Apple’s supply chain may be adjusting to a slower demand cycle for high‑end laptops.
Key Takeaways
The 14‑inch MacBook Pro with M5 silicon is currently $200 cheaper than the newer M6 model on major retail sites.
Performance differences between M5 and M6 are limited to a few extra cores, a second Neural Engine, faster memory bandwidth, and Wi‑Fi 7.
The 15‑inch MacBook Air M5, priced at $1,549 with 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage, is $150 off Apple’s list price, making it a strong contender for buyers who don’t need the Pro’s premium display.
Apple’s pricing pattern suggests the M6 will likely see a price reduction later, so early adopters should weigh the modest performance boost against the current discount on the M5.
About the Source
This analysis is based on reporting by Wired. Here is a short excerpt for context:
Apple announced an updated 14-inch MacBook Pro with the latest M6 chip. But with the M5 model on sale, I’m not sure the M6 is worth the upgrade.Read the original at Wired
