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Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A
Published October 30, 2025
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What are all the differences between the "2025 M5" 14" Apple Silicon MacBook Pro and the "2024 M4" 14" MacBook Pro replaced? How much faster is the newer model actually?
In 2025, Apple introduced a single 14" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M5" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14" -- which replaced the entry-level "2024" 14" MacBook Pro -- the MacBook Pro "M4" 10 CPU/10 GPU 14".
Apple continued to sell other, higher-end "2024" 14" MacBook Pro "M4 Pro/M4 Max" models -- the MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 14", "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 14", and "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU 14" -- as well as the "2024" 16" MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 14 CPU/20 GPU 16", "M4 Max" 14 CPU/32 GPU 16", and "M4 Max" 16 CPU/40 GPU 16" -- as new.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (14" MacBook Pro in "Space Black" Color)
This EveryMac.com Q&A compares the entry-level "2025" 14" MacBook Pro to the entry-level "2024" 14" MacBook Pro that the "2025" model replaced. Because these models look identical, but have notable internal differences, a detailed comparison can be helpful especially. It is worthwhile to know the similarities, as well.
External Differences
The "2024" and "2025" 14" MacBook Pro models use "sealed" aluminum and glass cases in silver or "Space Black" color options. Notebooks from these years with other processors weigh a bit more, but the two models with "M4" and "M5" processors even weigh the same amount, 3.4 pounds (1.55 kg).
Both models have an all black, backlit keyboard set in a black background with "traditional" function keys as well as a "Touch ID" for login.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (14" MacBook Pro "Space Black" Keyboard)
The "2024" and "2025" 14" MacBook Pro models have the same 14.2" (3024x1964) LED-backlit "Liquid Retina XDR" display. It is 254 ppi, provides up to 1000 nits of brightness for SDR content (outdoors), up to 1000 nits of sustained full-screen brightness, 1600 nits peak brightness displaying HDR content, and a 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as has support for 1 billion colors, Wide color (P3), True Tone, and ProMotion (for adaptive refresh rates). Both can, or could, be custom configured with a reduced glare "nano-texture" display for an extra US$150 at the time of initial purchase, also.
Finally, both models include the same 12 megapixel "Center Stage" camera -- that automatically tracks and zooms to keep subjects in frame -- tucked in a "notch" at the upper portion of the display, "Studio-quality three-mic array with high signal-to-noise ratio and directional beamforming," "high-fidelity six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers," and big "Force Touch" trackpads.
Connectivity Differences
The "2024 M4" and "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro models have identical connectivity.
Both of these notebooks have three Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gb/s) ports, an HDMI port, a 3.5" analog headphone jack "with advanced support for high-impedance headphones," an SDXC-capable SD card slot, and a magnet-equipped "MagSafe 3" power connector.
It also is worth noting that higher-end "2024" MacBook Pro models have much faster Thunderbolt 5 ports (120 Gb/s).
Display Support & Power Differences
The "2024 M4" and "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro models have the same display support.
Both models support full native resolution on the interior display in addition to a maximum of:
- Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt
- One external display with up to 6016x3384 (6K) resolution at 60 Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 144 Hz over HDMI
- One external display supported at 7680x4320 (8K) resolution at 60 Hz or one external display at 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 240 Hz over HDMI
By default, both the "2024 M4" and "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro models ship, or shipped, with a 70W USB-C power adapter that is not capable of fast charging to 50% of capacity in 30 minutes. For an extra US$20 at the time of initial purchase, both models can be bundled with a 96W USB-C power adapter that is capable of fast charging.
Identification Differences
It is easy to mix up the "2024 M4" and "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro models with each other and any number of other similar MacBook Pro models.
However, at least for now, both Model Numbers externally and Model Identifiers, in software, are precise enough to uniquely identify these models.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com diligently has hand documented all of these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
MacBook Pro Model |
Model No |
Model ID |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can identify these notebooks by other information, too.
Internal Differences
There are significant differences between interior parts, but in general, the "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro is a "speed bump" version of its predecessor. It has a faster processor/graphics processor architecture, a faster SSD, and a larger 4 TB SDD option at the time of purchase.
Both have onboard processors, integrated RAM and storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase, and an integrated battery listed as 72.4 watt-hours.
Apple advertises that the "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro delivers "up to 3.5x the AI performance and up to 1.6x faster graphics" than the "2024 M4" model it replaced. Third-party Geekbench 6 benchmarks don't pop out that big of a difference between these lines, but the "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro still is an impressive overall 14% faster in single-core tasks and 19% faster in multicore tasks.
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the "2024 M4" 14" and "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details:
 14" 2024 M4 |
14" 2025 M5 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Display Size: | 14.2" | 14.2" |
| Resolution: | 3024x1964 | 3024x1964 |
| Architecture: | M4 | M5 |
| Processor Cores: | 10 | 10 |
| Graphics Cores: | 10 | 10 |
| Neural Accelerators: | No | Yes |
| Memory Bandwidth: | 120 GB/s | 153 GB/s |
| Standard RAM: | 16/24 GB | 16/24 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 32 GB* | 32 GB* |
| Standard Storage: | 512 GB, 1 TB | 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Maximum Storage: | 2 TB† | 4 TB† |
| Thunderbolt: | 3 (TB 4) | 3 (TB 4) |
| Ext. Displays: | 2 | 2 |
| Battery W Hrs: | 72.4 W Hr | 72.4 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 16-24 Hours | 16-24 Hours |
| Fast Charge: | No‡ | No‡ |
| Color Options: | Silver/Black | Silver/Black |
| Height (In): | 0.61 | 0.61 |
| Width (In): | 12.31 | 12.31 |
| Depth (In): | 8.71 | 8.71 |
| Weight: | 3.4 lbs. | 3.4 lbs. |
| Model Number: | A3112 | A3434 |
| Model Identifier: | Mac16,1 | Mac17,2 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$1599 US$1799 US$1999 |
US$1599 US$1799 US$1999 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2099 C$2349 C$2599 |
C$2099 C$2399 C$2699 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £1599 £1799 £1999 |
£1599 £1799 £1999 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$2499 A$2799 A$3099 |
A$2499 A$2799 A$3099 |
| Intro Price (SG): | S$2199 S$2499 S$2799 |
S$2199 S$2499 S$2799 |
* These MacBook Pro models can be custom configured with more RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase.
† These MacBook Pro models can be custom configured with more storage at the time of initial purchase. The storage cannot be upgraded later.
‡ If equipped with the default 70W USB-C power adapter, this model is not capable of "Fast Charging." If it is equipped with a 96W USB-C power adapter, it is capable.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
So, is the "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro a significant upgrade over its predecessor? Is it actually faster?
It is open to debate whether or not the "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro is a "significant" upgrade compared to its predecessor; it has a faster processor/graphics processor architecture, a faster SSD, and a larger 4 TB SDD option at the time of purchase. Otherwise, these models essentially are the same.
Although the most significant speed increase between these years is narrowly focused on AI performance and graphics, independent Geekbench 6 benchmarks also show that the "2025 M5" 14" MacBook Pro is around 14% faster in single-core tasks and 19% faster in multicore tasks overall. This still is a substantial year-over-year increase in speed between these specific models.
However, compared to the "2024" MacBook Pro "M4 Pro" 12 CPU/16 GPU 14" -- with an "M4 Pro" processor -- the "2025 M5" MacBook Pro is 11% faster in single core tasks but around 13% slower in multicore tasks (the "M4 Pro" has 12 CPU cores). It is worth noting that this "M4 Pro" model costs US$400 more, though, or US$200 more if both are configured with 24 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD.
Of course, most users don't buy a new notebook every year, and for someone coming from a notebook that is a couple years old or a few years older, the performance increase that the "2025 M5" MacBook Pro provides will be significant indeed.
In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.
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