As expected, Apple has announced updated versions of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air is now available with the M5 chip, while the MacBook Pro can now be ordered with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.<\/p>\n
M5 MacBook Air<\/h2>\n![\"M5](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c280567c155a221985a3cb75a4d00eafbcdb49aee4d4b90fa122dbb372e8f349?w=660&q=85\")
\nThe newest MacBook Air is mostly a spec-bump update. <\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Physically, it doesn\u2019t appear much, if anything, has changed with the MacBook Air. It still comes in two sizes \u2013 13 and 15 inches \u2013 and it still comes in four finishes: Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight. You still get a Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, and two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports.<\/p>\n
The big change is that it now gets the M5 chip, which features 10 CPU cores and up to 10 GPU cores<\/b>. Apple claims up to 1.5x faster 3D rendering and 1.5x faster image processing than the model it replaces. Storage now also starts at 512GB<\/b> (configurable up to 4TB). The new SSD is also twice as fast. Finally, the new MacBook Air also gets Apple\u2019s N1 wireless chip, which means support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Battery life is unchanged at up to 18 hours. <\/p>\n
The other change is the price. Prices now start at S$1,599<\/b>, which is S$100 more. That\u2019s unfortunate, but probably inevitable given the global memory shortage situation. If it\u2019s any consolation, the starting storage has been doubled. <\/p>\n
Those waiting to get a new MacBook Air should be happy with this release. Yes, the price has gone up slightly, but you get a faster chip and double the storage. 512GB should suffice for the majority of people.<\/p>\n
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro<\/h2>\n![\"M5](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/4bb9ea463d50530d7da65d0d1ff14c0e876c4fd0f96a9a6517ef11f7a14b3b45?w=660&q=85\")
\nEquipped with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, these are Apple\u2019s most powerful MacBooks yet.<\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros have also been updated, and now get Apple\u2019s latest M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. These chips are interesting because they are built on a new Fusion Architecture<\/b> that, according to Apple, combines two dies into a single SoC. This new architecture enables Apple to create its most powerful core design yet, which is now called \u201csuper cores<\/b>.\u201d What used to be called efficiency cores are now called \u201cperformance cores\u201d.<\/p>\n
The M5 Pro is available with up to 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores<\/b>, while the M5 Max can be equipped with up to 18 CPU cores and 40 GPU core<\/b>s. The 18-core CPU features 6 super cores and 12 performance cores. Apple claims up to 30% better CPU performance and up to 20% better GPU performance when compared to the previous generation.<\/p>\n![\"Apple](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/dcd575c4b929dc64a5e4586701bce9bcbd322c1935a4948567dae6b8908cb91b?w=660&q=85\")
\nThe M5 Pro and M5 Max are built on a new Fusion Architecture.<\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Storage has been improved. MacBook Pros with the M5 Pro now get 1TB of storage as standard<\/b>, while those with the M5 Max will come with 2TB of storage<\/b>. Apple also says the SSDs are twice as fast as those found in the last-generation MacBook Pros.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, the MacBook Pros appear to be unchanged. The display is still the same Liquid Retina XDR, and you can opt for a nano-texture finish that significantly reduces glare and reflection. <\/p>\n
Sadly, prices have gone up. The 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro now starts at S$2,999<\/b> \u2013 that\u2019s S$250 more than the last-generation. As for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, that now starts at S$3,649<\/b> \u2013 S$150 more than the model it replaces. <\/p>\n
The price increases are significant, but then Apple doubled the starting storage, and these should be more capable laptops. I can\u2019t wait to test them and see just how fast these new chips are. <\/p>\n
To complement these new MacBooks, Apple also announced a new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR.<\/p>\n
Availability and pricing<\/h2>\n
Pre-orders for these new MacBooks will start tomorrow, on March 4<\/b>, and they will be available in stores on March 11<\/b>. You can find them on the Apple Online Store, and they should be available on Apple\u2019s official storefronts on Lazada and Shopee.<\/p>\n
These are the starting prices of the various models.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\nModel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nPrice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n13-inch MacBook Air M5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$1,599<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n15-inch MacBook Air M5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$1,899<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$2,999<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$3,649<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$5,009<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$5,449<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The newest MacBook Air is mostly a spec-bump update. <\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Physically, it doesn\u2019t appear much, if anything, has changed with the MacBook Air. It still comes in two sizes \u2013 13 and 15 inches \u2013 and it still comes in four finishes: Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight. You still get a Liquid Retina display, 12MP Center Stage camera, and two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports.<\/p>\n
The big change is that it now gets the M5 chip, which features 10 CPU cores and up to 10 GPU cores<\/b>. Apple claims up to 1.5x faster 3D rendering and 1.5x faster image processing than the model it replaces. Storage now also starts at 512GB<\/b> (configurable up to 4TB). The new SSD is also twice as fast. Finally, the new MacBook Air also gets Apple\u2019s N1 wireless chip, which means support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Battery life is unchanged at up to 18 hours. <\/p>\n
The other change is the price. Prices now start at S$1,599<\/b>, which is S$100 more. That\u2019s unfortunate, but probably inevitable given the global memory shortage situation. If it\u2019s any consolation, the starting storage has been doubled. <\/p>\n
Those waiting to get a new MacBook Air should be happy with this release. Yes, the price has gone up slightly, but you get a faster chip and double the storage. 512GB should suffice for the majority of people.<\/p>\n
M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro<\/h2>\n\nEquipped with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, these are Apple\u2019s most powerful MacBooks yet.<\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros have also been updated, and now get Apple\u2019s latest M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. These chips are interesting because they are built on a new Fusion Architecture<\/b> that, according to Apple, combines two dies into a single SoC. This new architecture enables Apple to create its most powerful core design yet, which is now called \u201csuper cores<\/b>.\u201d What used to be called efficiency cores are now called \u201cperformance cores\u201d.<\/p>\n
The M5 Pro is available with up to 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores<\/b>, while the M5 Max can be equipped with up to 18 CPU cores and 40 GPU core<\/b>s. The 18-core CPU features 6 super cores and 12 performance cores. Apple claims up to 30% better CPU performance and up to 20% better GPU performance when compared to the previous generation.<\/p>\n\nThe M5 Pro and M5 Max are built on a new Fusion Architecture.<\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Storage has been improved. MacBook Pros with the M5 Pro now get 1TB of storage as standard<\/b>, while those with the M5 Max will come with 2TB of storage<\/b>. Apple also says the SSDs are twice as fast as those found in the last-generation MacBook Pros.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, the MacBook Pros appear to be unchanged. The display is still the same Liquid Retina XDR, and you can opt for a nano-texture finish that significantly reduces glare and reflection. <\/p>\n
Sadly, prices have gone up. The 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro now starts at S$2,999<\/b> \u2013 that\u2019s S$250 more than the last-generation. As for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, that now starts at S$3,649<\/b> \u2013 S$150 more than the model it replaces. <\/p>\n
The price increases are significant, but then Apple doubled the starting storage, and these should be more capable laptops. I can\u2019t wait to test them and see just how fast these new chips are. <\/p>\n
To complement these new MacBooks, Apple also announced a new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR.<\/p>\n
Availability and pricing<\/h2>\n
Pre-orders for these new MacBooks will start tomorrow, on March 4<\/b>, and they will be available in stores on March 11<\/b>. You can find them on the Apple Online Store, and they should be available on Apple\u2019s official storefronts on Lazada and Shopee.<\/p>\n
These are the starting prices of the various models.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\nModel<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nPrice<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n13-inch MacBook Air M5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$1,599<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n15-inch MacBook Air M5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$1,899<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$2,999<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$3,649<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$5,009<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n\n16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
\nS$5,449<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Equipped with the new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, these are Apple\u2019s most powerful MacBooks yet.<\/p>\n
Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros have also been updated, and now get Apple\u2019s latest M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. These chips are interesting because they are built on a new Fusion Architecture<\/b> that, according to Apple, combines two dies into a single SoC. This new architecture enables Apple to create its most powerful core design yet, which is now called \u201csuper cores<\/b>.\u201d What used to be called efficiency cores are now called \u201cperformance cores\u201d.<\/p>\n
The M5 Pro is available with up to 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores<\/b>, while the M5 Max can be equipped with up to 18 CPU cores and 40 GPU core<\/b>s. The 18-core CPU features 6 super cores and 12 performance cores. Apple claims up to 30% better CPU performance and up to 20% better GPU performance when compared to the previous generation.<\/p>\n The M5 Pro and M5 Max are built on a new Fusion Architecture.<\/p>\n Photo: Apple<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Storage has been improved. MacBook Pros with the M5 Pro now get 1TB of storage as standard<\/b>, while those with the M5 Max will come with 2TB of storage<\/b>. Apple also says the SSDs are twice as fast as those found in the last-generation MacBook Pros.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, the MacBook Pros appear to be unchanged. The display is still the same Liquid Retina XDR, and you can opt for a nano-texture finish that significantly reduces glare and reflection. <\/p>\n Sadly, prices have gone up. The 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro now starts at S$2,999<\/b> \u2013 that\u2019s S$250 more than the last-generation. As for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, that now starts at S$3,649<\/b> \u2013 S$150 more than the model it replaces. <\/p>\n The price increases are significant, but then Apple doubled the starting storage, and these should be more capable laptops. I can\u2019t wait to test them and see just how fast these new chips are. <\/p>\n To complement these new MacBooks, Apple also announced a new Studio Display and Studio Display XDR.<\/p>\n Pre-orders for these new MacBooks will start tomorrow, on March 4<\/b>, and they will be available in stores on March 11<\/b>. You can find them on the Apple Online Store, and they should be available on Apple\u2019s official storefronts on Lazada and Shopee.<\/p>\n These are the starting prices of the various models.<\/p>\n Model<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Price<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 13-inch MacBook Air M5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n S$1,599<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 15-inch MacBook Air M5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n S$1,899<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n S$2,999<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Pro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n S$3,649<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 14-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max<\/p>\n<\/td>\n S$5,009<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 16-inch MacBook Pro M5 Max<\/p>\n<\/td>\n S$5,449<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAvailability and pricing<\/h2>\n
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