# 🤔 Is the MacBook Pro M5 worth upgrading from the M4?

*Published: 2026-03-03 | Updated: 2026-03-03 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/answers/is-the-macbook-pro-m5-worth-upgrading-from-the-m4*

---

## Product: MacBook Pro 14-inch M5
**Brand:** Apple

**Bottom Line:** Most M4 MacBook Pro owners should skip the M5 upgrade. The improvements are meaningful but incremental, making it best suited for new buyers rather than recent upgraders.

## The Real Numbers

The M5 delivers solid improvements over the M4:
- **CPU:** 10-20% faster overall
- **GPU:** Up to 44% better in benchmarks
- **AI Performance:** 3.5x faster machine learning
- **Memory Bandwidth:** 153GB/s vs 120GB/s (27% increase)

In practical terms, that translates to exporting 562 photos in Lightroom about 10 seconds faster, or encoding video roughly 25% quicker in HandBrake.

## Who Should Actually Upgrade

**Upgrade if you:**
- Run local AI models or use Apple Intelligence features constantly
- Work professionally with 4K/8K video and need every second saved
- Can sell your M4 at good value and upgrade cost-effectively

**Skip if you:**
- Use your MacBook for everyday productivity (browsing, documents, email)
- Bought your M4 in the past year
- Don't have AI-heavy workflows

## The Verdict

Your M4 MacBook Pro is still an excellent machine. The M5 improvements, while real, won't transform your daily experience unless you're deeply invested in AI workloads.

For [MacBook Pro M5 at Apple](https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro), the $1,599 starting price makes sense for new buyers. For M4 owners, consider waiting for a more substantial upgrade cycle.

---

*Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and analysis of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.*