MacBook Pro M5 vs M4 Pro vs M4

Key Concepts

• MacBook Pro M5 vs. M4 vs. M4 Pro: Comparison of performance, features, and target audience.
• CPU Performance: Single-core and multi-core benchmarks.
• GPU Performance: Graphics processing capabilities, gaming, and video editing.
• AI Capabilities: Neuro Accelerator and its impact on AI tasks.
• Media Engine: Video encoding/decoding performance.
• Battery Life: Comparison of usage duration.
• Build Quality & Design: Physical attributes and materials.
• Ports & Connectivity: Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 5.
• RAM: Importance of RAM capacity and upgrade limitations.
• Target Audience: Differentiating between general users, creative professionals, and those focused on AI.

MacBook Pro M5 vs. M4 vs. M4 Pro: A Detailed Comparison

This video provides a comprehensive comparison between the MacBook Pro M5, M4, and M4 Pro, focusing on specifications, real-world experiences, and key performance metrics. The primary goal is to help viewers decide between the M5 and M4 Pro, considering their price difference and feature sets.

Exterior and Build Quality

The physical design and build quality of the MacBook Pro models remain consistent across generations. The M5, M4, and M4 Pro share identical exteriors, including color options, weight, and feel. The aluminum chassis and robust construction are highlighted as a signature Apple advantage, offering a premium and durable user experience. While MacBook Pros are thicker than MacBook Airs, this is justified by the inclusion of more ports and an internal cooling fan, crucial for demanding tasks. The Pro models also boast superior displays with ProMotion (120Hz) and Mini-LED backlighting, offering a richer visual experience compared to the standard LED backlighting of MacBook Airs.

Ports and Connectivity

A notable difference exists in Thunderbolt port capabilities. The 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 and M5 (non-Pro variants) feature Thunderbolt 4 ports. In contrast, the M4 Pro and M4 Max models integrate Thunderbolt 5 into their USB-C ports. While the practical impact of Thunderbolt 5 over 4 might be negligible for most everyday users, it's a point of consideration for those with specific high-bandwidth peripheral needs.

CPU Performance Benchmarks

Using Geekbench 6 for CPU benchmarking, the M5 demonstrates superior single-core performance compared to both the M4 and M4 Pro. This is attributed to Apple's architectural upgrades in the M5 chip. The M4 and M4 Pro share the same core architecture, with the Pro variant achieving higher scores by simply incorporating more cores.

However, in multi-core performance, the M5 falls behind the M4 Pro. This is explained by the configuration differences: the tested M4 Pro featured a 12-core CPU and 16-core GPU with 24GB RAM, while the M5 was a base model with a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU, albeit with 1TB SSD. The M5 outperforms the M4 in multi-core tasks.

For typical usage scenarios like office work, web browsing, coding, and general productivity, all M5 and M4 models are more than capable. The video emphasizes that for the M5, prioritizing the highest RAM capacity within budget is crucial, as RAM is not upgradeable, unlike SSD storage which can be supplemented with external drives. The M5 starts with 16GB RAM, while the M4 Pro's base configuration is 24GB.

GPU Performance Benchmarks

The M5 shows a slight improvement in GPU performance over the M4 but cannot match the M4 Pro. The M4 Pro's advantage stems from its 16-core GPU compared to the M5's 10-core GPU. This difference is significant for graphics-intensive tasks, with the M4 Pro being the clear winner. This aligns with Apple's product segmentation, where M5 sits below the Pro and Max tiers.

Gaming Test: Cyberpunk 2077

A practical demonstration using Cyberpunk 2077, a game optimized for Mac, highlights the GPU disparity. At a resolution of 1920x1200 with basic ray tracing enabled and settings at "2" or "medium," the M5 achieved 41-45 FPS, providing a playable experience. The M4 Pro, however, reached 62 FPS, often exceeding 65 FPS in simpler scenes, showcasing its superior graphical power.

Video Editing Test: Final Cut Pro

While initial testing in Final Cut Pro showed minimal differences for simple video edits, a surprising finding emerged during video export. The MacBook Pro M5 exported videos faster than both the M4 and, unexpectedly, the M4 Pro. This suggests a potential upgrade in the M5's media engine, enhancing its encoding and decoding capabilities for video processing. Historically, export times for standard and Pro chips were similar, with only Max chips showing a significant difference.

AI Capabilities

The M5 introduces "Neuro Accelerators" within its GPU cores, distinct from the separate "Neural Engine," designed to boost AI tasks. Testing with large language models in ML Studio showed the M5 achieving a significantly higher token-per-second rate than the M4, though still trailing the M4 Pro. This indicates the Neuro Accelerators are indeed effective. However, the M4 Pro and Max retain advantages due to higher bandwidth and larger base RAM configurations for demanding AI workloads.

AI Upscaling Test: Topaz Video AI

In Topaz Video AI, a software that uses AI to upscale video resolution, the M5 outperformed the M4 Pro in upscaling a 540p video to Full HD, completing the task faster. The M5 also showed a considerable improvement over the M4. Interestingly, the M4 Max performed best, followed by the M5, then the M4 Pro, and finally the M4. Testing on a MacBook Air M4 revealed significant heat buildup and performance throttling during this task, underscoring the necessity of active cooling in MacBook Pros for sustained heavy AI workloads.

Battery Life

The M5 exhibits a slight improvement in battery life over the M4, but the difference is not substantial. Both M5 and M4 models offer better battery endurance than the M4 Pro. This is attributed to the M4 Pro's more powerful chip with more CPU and GPU cores, leading to higher power consumption. Despite this, the M4 Pro still provides very good battery life, sufficient for a full day of work. The tested battery life for the M5 was around 11 hours under mixed usage (Office apps, web browsing, YouTube) with 75% brightness.

Key Arguments and Recommendations

The video concludes with a tiered recommendation based on budget and needs:

• Budget-Constrained: If the budget only allows for a base MacBook Pro 14-inch M4, that is the recommended choice.
• M5 vs. M4: If a choice can be made, the M5 is preferred over the M4 due to its overall improvements.
• M5 vs. M4 Pro: For users considering the M5 and M4 Pro, the recommendation leans towards the M4 Pro, despite an approximate 8 million VND price difference. The M4 Pro offers significant advantages:
  • Larger RAM: Base 24GB RAM on M4 Pro versus 16GB on M5.
  • Superior GPU Performance: Essential for graphics-intensive tasks.
  • Better Multi-Core Performance: Beneficial for demanding workloads.
  • While the M5 shows promise in AI, the current differences are not substantial enough to outweigh the M4 Pro's broader professional capabilities.

The video also notes that Apple has not yet released MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, meaning the M4 Pro and M4 Max remain the current top-tier options for professional users.

Sponsor Information

The video is sponsored by Cphoneet, an authorized Apple reseller in Vietnam with over 150 stores nationwide. They offer attractive promotions on MacBooks, including discounts for students through the "S Student" program, trade-in options, and 0% interest installment plans.