MacBook Pro M5 Launch March 4
MacBook Pro with M5 Pro/Max chips is tipped for March 4 launch at unchanged starting prices. This aligns with reports of Apple unveiling at least five new products during a March 2-4 event window, potentially including iPhone 17e, new MacBooks, M4 iPads, and Apple Studio Display 2.
- The M5 chip is built on TSMC's third-generation 3nm process, which is expected to provide approximately 10% better efficiency and 5% higher performance compared to the M4 series of chips. - Apple's M5 processor features a 10-core CPU (four performance, six efficiency), a 10-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. The company claims the M5's CPU multithreaded performance is up to 15% faster than the M4. - The March 4 event is being called a "special Apple Experience" and will be held in New York, London, and Shanghai, suggesting hands-on sessions for the press rather than a traditional streamed keynote. Some analysts expect product announcements to be spread out across the week, starting from March 2. - The rumored iPhone 17e is expected to feature the A19 chip and may replace the notch with the Dynamic Island on its 6.1-inch OLED display. Other potential upgrades include MagSafe support and an 18MP front-facing camera. - A new Apple Studio Display is reportedly ready to ship, with rumors suggesting it could feature mini-LED backlighting, an A19 chip, and a ProMotion display with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz or 120Hz. Shortages of the current model in retail stores hint that a replacement is imminent. - The upcoming MacBook Pro models are expected to feature Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity but will likely retain the current design and Mini-LED display. A more significant redesign, potentially including an OLED touchscreen, is not anticipated until the M6 generation in late 2026 or 2027. - Other potential hardware releases include an iPad Air with an M4 chip and a refreshed entry-level iPad with an A18 processor. The iPad Pro was the first device to feature the M4 chip, which it received in May 2024.
