M1 vs. M5 MacBook Pro: The 5-year leap revealed

The 2026 16-inch MacBook Pro, equipped with M5 series processors, offers substantial performance improvements over its M1 predecessors from 2021. Testing reveals that the M5 Max chip delivers single-threaded CPU scores 65-76% higher and multi-threaded scores 124-161% higher than the M1 Max. Graphics performance also sees a near doubling with the M5 Max's 40-core GPU compared to the M1 Max's 32 cores.

For users of M1 Pro models, the M5 Max shows even starker differences, with CPU scores 76-85% higher and GPU scores more than tripling. Adobe application benchmarks in Photoshop and Premiere Pro also show the M5 Max scoring nearly twice as high and well over double, respectively. SSD read/write speeds are also more than twice as fast on the M5 generation.

Despite these advancements, many professionals with M1 Pro or M1 Max models find their current machines still perform adequately for tasks like 1080p video editing and animation work. An upgrade might only be considered for handling native 4K or 8K footage. However, the M5 generation also introduces new features such as Wi-Fi 7, Thunderbolt 5, and an optional anti-glare display.

For some M1-generation users, a lighter and cheaper M5 MacBook Air might suffice, offering solid performance comparable to an M1 Pro. Alternatively, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with a regular M5 chip provides an upgrade without sacrificing Pro features. While a future MacBook Pro with a touchscreen OLED is rumored, the current M5 generation represents a notable performance boost for those needing more power now.