As soon as I saw the news that “MacBook Pro and iPad Pro will launch with the M5 chip simultaneously,” my first reaction was: Apple finally gets it.
Honestly, the release schedule of the M4 last year was quite confusing.
In May, the iPad Pro was released first, and it wasn’t until the end of the year that the MacBook Pro got the M4, causing many people to just buy the M3 out of impatience.
Now, this year, they are launching both the M5 iPad Pro and MacBook Pro at the same time, so there’s no fear of making a bad purchase.
Although the appearance of the M5 MacBook Pro hasn’t changed much, I think that’s actually a good thing.
To be honest, the current generation of MacBook Pro, whether 14-inch or 16-inch, has a very mature design and mold, and it represents professional productivity. There’s no need for a major redesign just for the sake of novelty.
Moreover, according to the current leaks, the real big changes are actually reserved for the M6 chip in 2026.
At that time, it is said that there will be a series connection of OLED panels, and there might even be a combination of “punch-hole screen + narrow notch,” which would be a true visual revolution.
So personally, I prefer to stabilize the design this year and focus all efforts on performance improvements.
Speaking of the M5 chip, Apple seems to have started a bit of a “routine upgrade” pattern.
Every year, they squeeze out a bit more performance, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the neural network capabilities.
As long as it continues to improve video editing, rendering, and multitasking performance, it remains something to look forward to for those of us who work on computers.
Especially for someone like me who uses Final Cut and runs emulators daily, even a slight performance boost in the chip can significantly reduce lag during work, which is a great feeling.
More importantly, Apple’s simultaneous update of the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro has some interesting implications.
They may have realized that many creators and designers are now using the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro as “brother devices”.
One is for drawing, note-taking, and reviewing plans; the other is for video editing, modeling, and coding.
If there is too much of a performance gap between the two, the user experience becomes fragmented.
Simultaneous updates not only make it easier for users to choose but also create a more consistent ecosystem experience.
Of course, if you ask me whether this wave is worth an “immediate upgrade,” I still say: if you can still use the old model, just stick with it for now.
But if you’re considering a purchase, especially if you haven’t yet bought an M series device, the M5 should be a great entry point.
At least in terms of timing, it doesn’t have the awkwardness of the M3, nor does it have the limitation of “only being able to choose the iPad” like the M4.
In summary, this wave of M5 products, while not a “groundbreaking” update, is smart and practical.
Apple has not blindly pursued flashy designs but has instead honestly provided stronger performance, a more unified rhythm, and a more balanced product line.
For someone like me who uses both a Mac and an iPad, this kind of upgrade is truly considerate.
This fall, it looks like my wallet will take a hit again, but at least I won’t feel regret.