Apple has removed the 512GB storage option from its latest MacBook Pro lineup, and now all M5 MacBook Pro models start with at least 1TB of storage, which raises the entry price but also doubles the base capacity for professional users who rely on large files and complex workflows.
As a result, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro now starts at $2,199, which is $200 more than before, yet buyers get 1TB instead of 512GB, and earlier that same 1TB configuration cost $2,399, so the new pricing structure shifts value toward higher standard storage rather than lower upfront cost.
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Apple confirmed the changes alongside the launch of the new M5 Pro and M5 Max models.
“MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max redefines what’s possible on a pro laptop, now up to 4x faster than the previous generation,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “With Neural Accelerators in the GPU, the new MacBook Pro enables professionals to run advanced LLMs on device and unlock capabilities that no other laptop can do — all while maintaining exceptional battery life.”
Apple also said the new models deliver “up to 2x faster SSD performance” and raise the starting storage to 1TB on M5 Pro and 2TB on M5 Max.
Faster SSD and Higher Base Storage
The new MacBook Pro reaches SSD speeds of up to 14.5GB/s, which improves large file transfers and heavy workloads such as 4K and 8K video editing, AI model training, and massive datasets.
Here is how the base storage now stands:
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5: 1TB standard, starting at $1,699
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro: 1TB standard, starting at $2,199
- 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro: 1TB standard, starting at $2,699
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max: 2TB standard, starting at $3,599
- 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max: 2TB standard, starting at $3,899
Beyond storage, Apple adds Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 through its new N1 chip, up to 24 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5 ports, and support for multiple high-resolution external displays, which positions the new lineup clearly toward developers, video editors, engineers, and AI researchers who need more performance and more space from day one.
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