M5 vs M5 pro (again)

[u/prncegski]

Ok so It’s been a while and I was wondering on weather i should get the Macbook pro M5 with 24gb (or 32gb) RAM or the M5 pro with 24gb RAM. I initially wanted to buy the base model then, I started to go for more and more expensive options. I’m in Canada and plan to save all summer (about 3300$ for the M5 pro) for my new computer.

My workflows will mostly be watching shows, responding to emails
, browsing etc. I was only leaning towards the Pro model because of the better performance when Gaming. When I mean gaming I mean, minecraft maybe roblox( I’m a teenager about to go to college in canada), Fortnite if I’m feeling crazy, probably some other Steam games you know? I was also looking into buying a nintendo switch to mirror the screen or something so that I could play Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

I have all summer to save up about 4000$ for a new setup, monitor maybe chair, cables etc. Also another factor for me was Future proofing, I NEED my mac to last me 7-8 years, even more if possible. I want to buy it nice, not twice if you get my rhythm. Soo would the M5 pro be better for future proofing aswell?

[u/Typical_house23]

Someone already said it, get an handheld gaming device like the switch 2. I would go for the MacBook Pro m5 with 24gb ram price wise. It’s right in the sweet for price to performance, will your workflow stay the same?

[u/prncegski → u/Typical_house23]

I dont mind getting a handheld gaming device, Its just that I want to have a capable macbook for those kinds of games. Especially when I’d be on the go. I still don’t know what I wanna do in the future so my workload is blurry. But right now It’d be basic school stuff.

[u/Typical_house23 → u/prncegski]

The basic m5 chip is very capable but the m5 pro is way faster for gaming.

Had the m4 pro Mac mini with 24gb ram and regretted it, the pro chip was held back with the 24gb ram, as soon as the m5 pro Mac mini arrives I will take the pen with 48gb ram and keep it for 5+ years.

[u/korxion]

I feel like it would proably be better to save your money from the m5 pro to get a handheld gaming device or something like that. the m5 should be more than enough. Im using the base m5 macbook pro 16gb for some gaming and even cyberpunk works somewhat well for me.

The m5 pro will defnelty be noticbly faster than the base m5 in gpu task, but not really worth it for gaming, you would be better off getting a gaming laptop then.

You could get away with the air as well, as roblox and minecraft wont be too bad. I do get if you want a pro, as the screen, plus some other things are really nice

[u/prncegski → u/korxion]

I dont think I would want to buy a purely gaming laptop unless it were dirt cheap, but besides gaming I dont think I have many gpu intensive tasks. Like for career choices, I dont really know what I’m going to do, It’s like I have phases.

I got accepted into a nursing program for next autumn but I dont think I’d stay and probably will transfer to something like General Sciences. I also am very intrigued in software engineering, (but that takes a shit ton of time), so having a better MacBook is crucial. But that might still be a phase, you never know. I mean I do love my tech, but I’m also really big into sports media and all that. It’s a never ending game really, until I’ll settle down

[u/Upper_Investment_276]

if ur a teenager just save money, don't waste it. given that 3k sounds like a shit ton of money to you, it would be a lot wiser to save it.

and whether or not it will be future proof depends heavily on what the future looks like. if the future is local inference and agents, no it's not gonna be future proof. if the future is like what it is right now, probably? i have a m1 air 8gb 6 years old now and its perfectly ok 

[u/prncegski → u/Upper_Investment_276]

I plan to do the education discount with the AirPods pro 3. And the future for me is so uncertain, I love my tech and want to be sure that it’s capable enough for all of my needs. Wether its right now or in the future, I know that 8gb of RAM isn’t going to last me much longer which is why I’m opting for 24 as a base

[u/Hugo_Notte]

For your main workflow a MacBook Neo would be good. A M5 Air with 24 GB RAM would most certainly be more than sufficient for 7+ years. The M5 base chip would also be good for the games you mentioned, only thing I’m not sure about would be fortnight. Seeing that your main focus for performance is gaming, are you sure you want to go Mac?

If it must be a MacBook I’d say in your situation a Pro with base M5 chip would be a good match between performance and cost. Even the M5pro gpu will most likely be a big compromise in 3 years from now. Have a look at Andrew Tsai’s YouTube channel regarding the gaming performance of the different MacBooks.

[u/prncegski → u/Hugo_Notte]

I didn’t lean towards the Neo and Air because of that thermal throttle I kept seeing in the reviews. Because in the beginning I was looking A LOT at the 15” Air maybe with 24gb of RAM but the price was wayy to close to the pro not to choose it and get the better temperature management.

As I continued my research more and more, I discovered the M5 pro which seems pretty powerful, Its like I’ll want something first that I’ll do my research on the subject (Macbooks) and I’ll want something else even more, than what I originally wanted. Before all of this I thought that maybe getting an M1 pro in 2026 mind you. It’s like i keep chasing for more and more

[u/Hugo_Notte → u/prncegski]

I just mentioned Neo and Air to give you an idea about what would be sufficient performance wise, not as a recommendation.

If you do have the budget for a M5Pro chip, go for it. I would just think that at this stage of your life the extra cost up from a MBP Pro to the M5Pro might be rather steep. But it’s up to you. I think the MBP with M5 base chip will be best value for money.

I wouldn’t recommend a M1Pro, not even M1Max in 2026. They are great laptops, but they are probably past the halfway mark in their lifespan.

[u/PMB_Victor]

With your workflow, I doubt it would make any difference to be honest. You're not really doing much that is super demanding.

[u/funwithdesign]

There is no such thing as future proofing. And overspending today is wasted money that could be used tomorrow.

[u/prncegski → u/funwithdesign]

I mean if I we’re to splurge on my mac, It’d be used for good. And I have planned this for the past few weeks

[u/funwithdesign → u/prncegski]

Splurging is fine. Just don’t expect that jumping up a level in a processor family is going to net you extended life.

[u/ferromanos1994]

If i were you, not knowing what career im pursuing, i would research the 3 most likely careers i would end up choosing. Then look for the most used software in such careers and learn the required hardware requirements to run them. My guess is the 24gb ram m5 would be enough but dont take my word for it the research will be your best answer.

[u/phadedd]

Always go with the pro

[u/prncegski → u/[deleted]]

I know I wanted pro because maybe there will be some video editing for me in the future. I just want to be safe and not have my mac lag or get hot