M5 vs M4 MacBook: Performance & Price Comparison 2026
The M5 chip delivers 20-25% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster GPU capabilities compared to the M4, with improved power efficiency and support for more simultaneous AI tasks. M5 MacBooks are 10-15% more expensive but justify the cost through meaningful performance gains for professional workflows.
Apple M5 MacBook
Latest generation MacBook with 12-core CPU, up to 20-core GPU, and 45 TOPS Neural Engine
Video editors, 3D artists, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and professionals running demanding simulations
Apple M4 MacBook
Previous-generation MacBook with 10-core CPU, up to 16-core GPU, and 38 TOPS Neural Engine
Developers, web designers, content creators, writers, and professionals doing moderate computational work who prioritize value
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe M5 chip delivers 20-25% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster GPU capabilities compared to the M4, with improved power efficiency and support for more simultaneous AI tasks. M5 MacBooks are 10-15% more expensive but justify the cost through meaningful performance gains for professional workflows.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose the M5 MacBook if you do professional video editing, 3D rendering, machine learning development, or complex data analysis—the 20-25% CPU boost and superior GPU justify the $200+ premium. Choose the M4 MacBook if you handle general computing, coding, content creation for web, or office work—it remains exceptional value with 95% of the M5's real-world performance for everyday tasks.
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Choose Apple M5 MacBook if
Best pickVideo editors, 3D artists, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and professionals running demanding simulations
Choose Apple M4 MacBook if
Developers, web designers, content creators, writers, and professionals doing moderate computational work who prioritize value
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Key Differences at a Glance
- CPU Performance (Single-Core):✓ Apple M5 MacBook wins(3,700+ Geekbench points vs 3,100 Geekbench points)
- GPU Performance (Multi-Core Graphics):✓ Apple M5 MacBook wins(Up to 40% faster vs Baseline)
- Neural Engine Throughput:✓ Apple M5 MacBook wins(45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) vs 38 TOPS)
Key Facts & Figures
20 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Apple M5 MacBook | Apple M4 MacBook | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Single-Core Performance(Geekbench Points) | 3,700+ | 3,100 | |
| Neural Engine Throughput(TOPS) | 45 TOPS | 38 TOPS | |
| Power Efficiency(Performance per Watt) | 18% more efficient | Baseline | |
| Maximum Unified Memory(GB) | 128GB | 96GB | |
| CPU Core Count (Standard)(Cores) | 12 cores | 10 cores | |
| CPU Cores (Performance)(cores) | 12 cores (M5) | 12 cores (M4) | |
| GPU Cores (Base Model)(cores) | 10 cores (M5) | 10 cores (M4) | |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core(points) | 3,900 | 3,100 | |
| Metal Graphics Score (10-core GPU)(points) | 28,000 | 20,000 | |
| Base Configuration Memory(GB) | 24GB | 16GB | |
| Memory Bandwidth(GB/s) | 120 GB/s | 100 GB/s | |
| MacBook Pro 14" Starting Price(USD) | $1,999 | $1,599 | |
| Thermal Design Power(Watts) | ~30W (estimated) | ~32W (estimated) | |
| CPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 12-core | 10-core | |
| GPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 10-core | 10-core | |
| Base Unified Memory(GB) | 24GB | 16GB | |
| Maximum Memory Configuration(GB) | 128GB | 96GB | |
| Battery Life (14-inch model)(hours) | 18-20 hours | 16-18 hours | |
| AnTuTu Benchmark Score(points) | 2,450,000 | 1,850,000 | |
| Base Model Price (14-inch)(USD) | $1,599 | $1,399 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 3,700+ Geekbench points(winner)CPU Performance (Single-Core)3,100 Geekbench points
- Up to 40% faster(winner)GPU Performance (Multi-Core Graphics)Baseline
- 45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second)(winner)Neural Engine Throughput38 TOPS
- $1,599 (14-inch)Price Premium (Base Model)$1,399 (14-inch)(winner)
- 18% more efficient(winner)Power Efficiency (Performance per Watt)Baseline
- 128GB(winner)Maximum Unified Memory96GB
- 35% faster(winner)Video Encoding Speed (ProRes)Baseline
- CPU Performance (Single-Core)
Apple M5 MacBook
3,700+ Geekbench points(winner)
Apple M4 MacBook
3,100 Geekbench points
- GPU Performance (Multi-Core Graphics)
Apple M5 MacBook
Up to 40% faster(winner)
Apple M4 MacBook
Baseline
- Neural Engine Throughput
Apple M5 MacBook
45 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second)(winner)
Apple M4 MacBook
38 TOPS
- Price Premium (Base Model)
Apple M5 MacBook
$1,599 (14-inch)
Apple M4 MacBook
$1,399 (14-inch)(winner)
- Power Efficiency (Performance per Watt)
Apple M5 MacBook
18% more efficient(winner)
Apple M4 MacBook
Baseline
- Maximum Unified Memory
Apple M5 MacBook
128GB(winner)
Apple M4 MacBook
96GB
- Video Encoding Speed (ProRes)
Apple M5 MacBook
35% faster(winner)
Apple M4 MacBook
Baseline
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Apple M5 MacBook | Apple M4 MacBook |
|---|---|---|
| CPU Single-Core Performance(Geekbench Points) | 3,700+(winner) | 3,100 |
| GPU Performance(Relative Improvement) | 40% faster(winner) | Baseline |
| ProRes Video Encoding Speed(Relative Improvement) | 35% faster(winner) | Baseline |
| GPU Cores (Base Model)(cores) | 10 cores (M5) | 10 cores (M4) |
| Geekbench 6 Multi-Core(points) | 3,900(winner) | 3,100 |
Show 1 more attributeAnTuTu Benchmark Score(points) 2,450,000 1,850,000 | ||
| Neural Engine Throughput(TOPS) | 45 TOPS(winner) | 38 TOPS |
| Power Efficiency(Performance per Watt) | 18% more efficient(winner) | Baseline |
| Thermal Design Power(Watts) | ~30W (estimated)(winner) | ~32W (estimated) |
| Maximum Unified Memory(GB) | 128GB(winner) | 96GB |
| CPU Core Count (Standard)(Cores) | 12 cores(winner) | 10 cores |
| CPU Cores (Performance)(cores) | 12 cores (M5) | 12 cores (M4) |
| Metal Graphics Score (10-core GPU)(points) | 28,000(winner) | 20,000 |
| Base Configuration Memory(GB) | 24GB(winner) | 16GB |
| Memory Bandwidth(GB/s) | 120 GB/s(winner) | 100 GB/s |
| Base Unified Memory(GB) | 24GB(winner) | 16GB |
| Maximum Memory Configuration(GB) | 128GB(winner) | 96GB |
| MacBook Pro 14" Starting Price(USD) | $1,999 | $1,599(winner) |
| CPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 12-core(winner) | 10-core |
| GPU Cores (Maximum)(cores) | 10-core | 10-core |
| Battery Life (14-inch model)(hours) | 18-20 hours(winner) | 16-18 hours |
| Base Model Price (14-inch)(USD) | $1,599 | $1,399(winner) |
| Manufacturing Process | 3nm (N3E second-gen) | 3nm (N3 first-gen) |
Show 1 more attribute
Pros & Cons
10 pros·5 cons across both
Apple M5 MacBook
Pros
- 20-25% faster CPU performance (3,700+ single-core Geekbench score vs M4's 3,100)
- Up to 40% faster GPU for graphics-intensive tasks like 3D rendering and video editing
- 45 TOPS Neural Engine enables advanced AI features and local machine learning inference
- 18% better power efficiency with improved thermal design
- Supports up to 128GB unified memory for massive datasets
Cons
- $200-300 more expensive than M4 equivalent models
- Incremental real-world gains for basic computing tasks (email, browsing, office work)
Apple M4 MacBook
Pros
- $200-300 lower price than M5 models (14-inch starts at $1,399 vs M5's $1,599)
- Still delivers exceptional performance for 95% of professional workflows
- 38 TOPS Neural Engine sufficient for most AI and machine learning applications
- Thermal efficiency remains excellent with quiet fan operation
- Supports up to 96GB unified memory, adequate for most projects
Cons
- 20-25% slower CPU performance limits speed for computationally intensive tasks
- Up to 40% slower GPU makes it less suitable for professional 3D rendering and 4K video editing
- Maxes out at 96GB memory vs M5's 128GB for very large datasets
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
It depends on your workflow. For professionals doing video editing, 3D rendering, or machine learning, the 20-25% CPU improvement and 40% GPU boost justify the cost—you'll save hours per week. For general coding, web design, or office work, the M4 remains excellent and provides 95% of the performance at significantly better value. Calculate: if the M5 saves you even 2-3 hours per month, the premium pays for itself in one year.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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