This new MacBook Pro M5 version feels like a completely different class of machine. It is faster, cooler, and now intelligent. It’s not just about performance numbers anymore; it’s about how naturally everything flows, from research to writing, editing, and even gaming.
Performance and Unified Memory
Apple’s M5 chip is the centrepiece of this transformation. It features a next-generation 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core, delivering up to 3.5× faster AI performance and 1.6× faster graphics than its predecessor. In daily use, the difference is unmistakable.
At Mysty Studio, where I spend hours researching everything from whether the Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport I F1 is a second or third-generation release, the MacBook tears through endless browser tabs, PDFs, and high-resolution images without breaking a sweat. The unified memory architecture (now starting from 16 GB) makes juggling Safari and multiple Finder windows feel fluid.
Storage performance has also increased. Importing large RAW photos or exporting 4K videos happens almost instantly, and with up to 4 TB of SSD storage, there’s finally breathing room for massive AI model files, high-res assets, and offline research databases.
Battery Life That Refuses to Quit
Apple claims up to 24 hours of battery life, and it’s not an exaggeration.
Over a full day of writing, video editing, and cloud syncing, the laptop barely dipped below 40%. Even more impressive, it delivers identical performance whether on battery or plugged in.
macOS Tahoe and Apple Intelligence: The Smarter Mac Experience
macOS Tahoe brings a blend of elegance and intuition.
Its new Liquid Glass interface looks stunning, but what truly stands out is the deep integration of Apple Intelligence — Apple’s privacy-focused on-device AI system.
Shortcuts now supercharge productivity. For example, I can use Shazam to recognise music and automatically add it to my Apple Music playlist. I can even use new intelligent actions to create automations, like tapping directly into Apple Intelligence models to accelerate my workflows.
I can now chat naturally across languages with Live Translation in Messages, Phone, and FaceTime — all processed entirely on-device to keep conversations private. I tried it while messaging a Chinese friend, and the translation appeared instantly and accurately, letting us switch between English and Mandarin without breaking the flow of conversation.
Safari gets a refreshed look that matches webpage colours, runs faster and more efficiently, and now applies Private Browsing protections automatically to all browsing by default.
It is also really cool how I can now mix emojis with text to create custom Genmoji, like the sad heart I made!
Editing on the MacBook Pro M5 feels frictionless. I put it to the test with a travel montage from Jeju, cutting together shots from Seongsan Ilchulbong and local seaside scenes. Even with multiple 4K layers and music overlays, the playback never stuttered. Scrubbing through the timeline was instantaneous, and exports finished faster than on my M2 model. Check out the video I made while editing above!
Gaming on Mac: Resident Evil 5 and Beyond
Apple’s renewed gaming push with the M5 chip is finally paying off. I tested Resident Evil 5, now officially supported on macOS, and the experience was shockingly smooth. Running at 1440p with medium-to-high settings, frame rates stayed consistently high with no visible tearing or stutter.
The hardware-accelerated ray tracing added depth and realism — metallic surfaces glowed under dim light, and dynamic shadows brought cinematic tension to every corner.
The laptop stayed remarkably cool, with barely audible fans. The Liquid Retina XDR display made dark interiors pop with stunning contrast, while the Spatial Audio setup amplified every distant growl and gun reload with positional clarity.
macOS Tahoe’s multitasking makes gaming practical, too. I could switch to Messages or Safari mid-session and jump back into the game with zero lag. Check out my gameplay above!
Camera and Everyday Workflows
The 12 MP Centre Stage camera makes video calls look cinematic. During a remote editorial meeting to discuss an upcoming iPad Pro feature, the camera tracked me naturally as I reached for notes and reference sketches.
Combined with the studio-quality mics, the sound was crisp, full, and broadcast-ready — a small but meaningful upgrade for anyone who spends half their day in virtual meetings.
Ports and Connectivity
The MacBook Pro now includes an additional Thunderbolt port, a quiet but welcome upgrade for professionals.
You can finally charge, connect an external display, and run a portable SSD all at once. The HDMI, SDXC, and MagSafe 3 ports remain, meaning no dongles are needed — an increasingly rare convenience in pro laptops.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 is the most complete Mac Apple has ever made. It merges raw power, AI intelligence, and exceptional endurance in a way that feels almost effortless.
It retails from S$2,199. Find out more at apple.com/sg/macbook-pro/.
