For creative professionals, time is the most valuable currency. Every second shaved off rendering, exporting, or complex calculations translates directly into increased productivity – and income. The relentless pursuit of faster, more efficient workflows isn’t just about convenience; it’s about maximizing potential and minimizing frustration.
As a writer and photographer constantly pushing the boundaries of my craft, I found myself eyeing an upgrade to my 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro. Rumors of Apple’s latest advancements, particularly the speed of the new M5 chip, had sparked a quiet curiosity. Could a significant leap in performance truly justify the investment?
Apple claims the M5 delivers a staggering 3.5 times speed improvement for AI tasks, and a remarkable 6 times faster performance compared to the original M1. While impressive on paper, these figures needed real-world validation. The M5 14-inch MacBook Pro carries a price tag of $1,599/£1,599, demanding a thorough assessment before committing.
I embarked on a series of rigorous tests, utilizing the tools I rely on daily: Blender for 3D rendering, Adobe Lightroom for photo editing, and GarageBand for music production. Complementing these practical workflows, I employed benchmarking applications like Geekbench AI and Blackmagic Disk Speed Test to quantify the performance differences.
Adobe Lightroom, my primary photo editing application, immediately revealed a subtle but noticeable improvement. Edits felt more responsive, with a near-instantaneous application of adjustments – a welcome change from the occasional lag experienced with my M3. More significantly, exporting 562 high-resolution photos took just 55.96 seconds on the M5, compared to 1 minute and 6.4 seconds on the M4.
My musical pursuits also benefited from the M5’s enhanced capabilities. Exporting a complex GarageBand song, layered with multiple instruments and tracks, was approximately 10 seconds faster. While seemingly minor, these time savings accumulate throughout a busy day, streamlining the creative process.
Blender, a program I’m actively learning to master, presented a more modest improvement. Rendering a demo project took 9 minutes and 45 seconds on the M5, versus 9 minutes and 55 seconds on the M4. While not a dramatic difference, it hinted at the M5’s potential for handling demanding 3D workloads.
Workflow testing, while insightful, can be subjective. To obtain a more objective measure of performance, I turned to benchmarking applications. The results were striking, particularly in areas related to AI and GPU processing – aligning perfectly with Apple’s claims.
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test revealed a substantial increase in read and write speeds. The M5 achieved write speeds of 6440MBps and read speeds of 6725.6MBps, a 97% and 131% improvement over the M4, respectively. This translates to significantly faster file transfers and overall system responsiveness.
However, the most compelling results came from Geekbench AI GPU. The M5 scored an astonishing 23628, nearly double the M4’s score of 11616. This demonstrates a remarkable leap in AI processing power, unlocking new possibilities for creative applications.
Further solidifying these findings, 3DMark Solar Bay Extreme showed the M5 delivering approximately 50% faster frame rates during game rendering, making it a compelling option for creative professionals who also enjoy gaming.
The verdict is clear: the M5 MacBook Pro is a significant upgrade. While the workflow improvements were encouraging, the benchmarking results were truly eye-opening. The M5 consistently outperformed the M4, offering substantial gains in speed and efficiency. I’m convinced the investment is worthwhile.
The performance gains, particularly in AI-driven tasks, are too significant to ignore. The M5 isn’t just a faster machine; it’s a tool that empowers creativity, unlocks new possibilities, and ultimately, saves valuable time. It’s a leap forward that I’m eager to embrace.
