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Reviews reveal new MacBook Pro models with faster SSDs

11 unique / 12 total | Updated 4d ago | Created 6d ago
APPLE

Ahead of the March 10 release date for its latest laptops, tech publications have published early reviews highlighting that while Apple's M5 Max and M5 Pro chips deliver powerful speeds comparable to last year’s top-tier devices, significant improvements are found in storage rather than raw processing power specifically compared to previous generations.

Key Points

  1. 1
    The new high-end MacBooks featuring the M5 and M5 Max chips deliver significant SSD read/write speed boosts, described as a 'genuine performance rocket' by some reviewers.
  2. 2
    While design remains identical to last year's models due to incremental updates rather than full redesigns, internal architecture changes have enabled these substantial storage improvements.
  3. 3
    Despite the impressive raw speeds and Wi-Fi 7/Bluetooth 6 upgrades in high-end Pro laptops with M5 Max chips, critics note higher starting prices without major feature additions for all users.

Developments

2026-03-11 Official sales launch of the new MacBook Pros equipped with M5 Pro and Max chips scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 11th.
2024-End-of-Year (Ref) Apple introduced previous generation M3/M4 chip variants across MacBook Pros prior to the current year's updates in early April of this cycle contextually referenced.
March 10, Mar Reviews published highlighting huge SSD speed boosts and M5 Max performance gains compared against previous generations like M4 Pro/Max chips in the MacBook lineup. (The Verge)
March 10, Mar Reviews published noting that while improved speed is good for high-end models ($6k+), there are no fans of a $200 price increase over previous generations. (Appleinsider)
March 9, Mar Selected media outlets and influencers received early access to the new MacBook Pros with M5 Pro/Max chips for pre-ordering ahead of launch.
The new high-end M5 chip delivers improvements, none more noticeable than the huge SSD read/write speed boost.
The Verge The Verge 5d ago
Apple’s new M5 Max MacBook Pro delivers a huge SSD read/write speed boost
Macdailynews MacDailyNews 5d ago

Apple's new MacBook Pro models featuring the M5 chips claim up to double their sustained SSD read/write speeds compared to previous generations. Testing confirmed these gains alongside significant improvements in CPU single-core performance (up 64% vs older cores), multi-threaded workloads, and video export times for professionals using legacy hardware like Apple Silicon's earlier generation or Intel-based Macs from the past decade

MacBook Pro M5 Pro/Max Reviews sind da: „unglaublich schnell“
Macerkopf.de Admin 5d ago

Apple hat das neue MacBook Pro ab dem offiziellen Verkaufsstart am Mittwoch, den 13. März (der Text erwähnt "morgigen" nach der Ankündigung vor einer Woche), mit M5-Prozessoren und bis zu doppelt so schnellen SSDs eingeführt; erste Tests bestätigen eine Lesegeschwindigkeit von über 86 % Steigerung im Vergleich zur Vorgängergeneration, wobei die Akkulaufzeit leicht verbessert wurde.

M5 Pro & M5 Max MacBook Pro review roundup: More of the same, at a higher price
Appleinsider Marko Zivkovic <[email protected]> 6d ago
MacBook Pro Reviews: One 'Astonishing' Upgrade Beyond M5 Pro and M5 Max
Macrumors MacRumors.com 6d ago

New reviews for upcoming MacBook Pro models featuring M5 Pro/Max chips confirm approximately 15% faster CPU performance (up to ~20% GPU) and up-to-twice-as-fast SSD speeds compared to previous generations. Battery life tests show the new devices outperforming prior models, with one test reaching over 21 hours under continuous web surfing conditions at low brightness settings; however, a major redesign is rumored for late 2026 or early 2027 rather than immediately upon launch this Wednesday.