Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5)
Both are good choices with different strengths. The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is faster, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has more storage and has more memory.
We earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases made through our links, at no extra cost to you. This never affects our specs. How we make money.
Key differences
-
Performance
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14's Apple M4 Pro is quicker: it is built for heavy creative work, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14's Apple M5 has the power for photo and video editing.
-
Gaming
Evenly matched
Both manage light and older games, but not new releases.
-
Display
Evenly matched
Closely matched screens: 14.2" 3K 1000 nits 120 Hz against 14.2" 3K 1000 nits 120 Hz.
-
Battery life
Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 should last longer: up to 24 hours against up to 22 hours.
-
Connectivity
Evenly matched
Much the same ports and wireless on both.
-
Portability
Evenly matched
About the same to carry: 1.6 kg and 1.55 kg.
Other differences
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has 32 GB of memory against 24 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M4 Pro is the more powerful processor.
- You need a long battery life: its maker claims up to 22 hours.
- You want something compact: it has a 14.2-inch screen.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) if…
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You prefer the newer model: it came out in 2025.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsOn the specs both makers publish, these two are closely matched.
Green cells with a ✓ mark the better spec in that row. Tick "Show differences only" to hide the rows where they match.
Performance
Each laptop has its strengths on performance.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) is faster, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) has more storage and has more memory.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 Pro (12-core CPU) | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | Apple M4 Pro 16-core GPU | Apple M5 10-core GPU |
| Memory (RAM) | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | unified memory (273 GB/s bandwidth) | Unified memory (153GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
Both screens are closely matched.
Size, sharpness and smoothness are near enough the same, so neither has a real edge to look at.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.2" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 3K (3024 x 1964) | 3K (3024 x 1964) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 3024:1964 (about 1.54:1) |
| Panel | Mini-LED | Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | Yes | Yes |
| Brightness | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours |
| HDR | XDR; Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10 and HLG | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
Both are much the same on battery and weight.
Neither will be noticeably easier to carry or last noticeably longer away from a plug.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | Up to 22 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 72.4 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Charger | 70 W | — |
| Charges via | MagSafe 3 or USB-C | MagSafe 3 (or USB-C / Thunderbolt 4) |
| Fast charging | Fast-charge capable with 96W USB-C Power Adapter | Fast-charge capable with a 96W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 1.6 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Materials | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Space Black | Space Black |
| Colours available | Space Black, Silver | Space Black, Silver |
Ports and wireless
Both have much the same ports and wireless.
You can plug in the same things on either.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C, charging, DisplayPort, USB4 up to 120Gb/s), 1x HDMI, 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3, 1x 3.5 mm headphone | 3x Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C; all support charging, DisplayPort, USB 4 up to 40Gb/s), 1x HDMI (version not stated by Apple), 1x SDXC card slot, 1x MagSafe 3 (charging), 1x 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Thunderbolt / USB4 | 3x Thunderbolt 5 / USB4 up to 120Gb/s | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 2 | 2 |
| Card reader | SDXC | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
Both have much the same extras.
From the keyboard to the webcam and login, there is little between them.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage; 1080p video | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p video |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard; 79-key ISO layout; 12 full-height function keys; ambient light sensor | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 78 (ANSI) / 79 (ISO) keys, 12 full-height function keys, Touch ID, ambient light sensor |
| Login | Fingerprint | Fingerprint |
| Number pad | No | No |
| Touchpad | Force Touch trackpad | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Multi-Touch gestures); size not published |
| Speakers | high-fidelity six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers | Six-speaker sound system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Spatial Audio / Dolby Atmos |
| Microphones | studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming | Studio-quality three-mic array with directional beamforming |
| Pen | No | No |
| Security | Touch ID | — |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) is ahead on software and updates.
It is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M4 Pro) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |