Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) vs Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5)
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is the better laptop on paper: it is faster, has more memory and is more compact. Pick the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch only if it matters to you that it has a bigger screen.
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Key differences
- Speed Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is quicker. Its Apple M5 has the power for photo and video editing, while the Intel Core i7-9750H in the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch stays smooth with lots of apps and tabs open.
- Memory Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has 32 GB of memory against 16 GB, so it has more room for big projects and heavy multitasking.
- Screen size Depends on you
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the bigger screen (16" against 14.2"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact.
- Storage Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has twice the storage: 1 TB against 512 GB.
- Weight Apple MacBook Pro 14 wins
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is 0.5 kg lighter: 1.55 kg against 2 kg.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch if…
- You want more room to work: its 16-inch screen fits two windows side by side.
- You work with several monitors: it can run 4 at once.
- You type in dim rooms: it has a backlit keyboard.
Choose the Apple MacBook Pro 14 if…
- You edit photos or video, or keep a lot open at once: its Apple M5 is the more powerful processor.
- You keep lots of tabs and apps open: 32 GB of memory gives it more room.
- You want something compact for small bags and train tables: it has a 14.2-inch screen.
- You store lots of photos, videos or games: it has 1 TB of storage.
- You'll move it around the house or office: it's 0.5 kg lighter.
Full spec comparison
Add more laptopsThe Apple MacBook Pro 14 leads on performance, the screen, battery and weight and ports and wireless; elsewhere the two are closely matched. Highlighted values mark the better spec in each row, and you can hide the rows where they match.
Performance
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on performance.
It is faster, has more memory and has more storage, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-9750H | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon Pro 5300M + Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Apple M5 10-core GPU |
| Graphics memory | 4 GB | — |
| Memory (RAM) | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory type | DDR4-2666 | Unified memory (153GB/s bandwidth) |
| Maximum memory | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| Memory upgrades | Soldered (not upgradeable) | Soldered (not upgradeable) |
| Storage | 512 GB | 1 TB |
| Storage type | SSD | SSD |
Screen
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on the screen.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has the bigger screen (16" against 14.2"), while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact. The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch has a bigger screen, while the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is more compact, has a smoother screen and has a brighter screen.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 16" | 14.2" |
| Resolution | 3K (3072 x 1920) | 3K (3024 x 1964) |
| Aspect ratio | 16:10 | 3024:1964 (about 1.54:1) |
| Panel | IPS | Mini-LED |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable refresh (VRR) | — | Yes |
| Brightness | 500 nits | 1,000 nits |
| Colour range | Wide colour (P3) | Wide colour (P3), 1 billion colours |
| HDR | — | XDR: 1,000 nits sustained, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content); Dolby Vision, HDR10+/HDR10, HLG playback |
| Touchscreen | No | No |
Battery and size
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on battery and weight.
It is lighter, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life (maker claim) | — | Up to 24 hours |
| Battery capacity | 99.8 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Charger | 96 W | — |
| Charges via | USB-C | MagSafe 3 (or USB-C / Thunderbolt 4) |
| Fast charging | — | Fast-charge capable with a 96W or higher USB PD power source |
| Weight | 2 kg | 1.55 kg |
| Dimensions | 357.9 x 245.9 x 16.2 mm | 312.6 x 221.2 x 15.5 mm |
| Materials | — | 100% recycled aluminium enclosure |
| Colour | Space Grey | Space Black |
| Colours available | Silver, Space Gray | Space Black, Silver |
Ports and wireless
Each laptop has its strengths on ports and wireless.
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 has HDMI and an SD card reader and has Wi-Fi 6E, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Ports | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C; all four charge, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 10Gb/s), 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 | Thunderbolt 3 | Thunderbolt 4 (up to 40Gb/s) |
| External displays (max) | 4 | 2 |
| Card reader | None | SDXC |
| Ethernet | None | None |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Mobile data | None | None |
Features
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on extras.
It has a sharper webcam, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Webcam | 720p FaceTime HD | 12MP Center Stage, 1080p video |
| Backlit keyboard | Yes | Yes |
| Keyboard | Backlit Magic Keyboard, 65 (US) / 66 (ISO) keys, inverted-T arrows, Touch Bar, 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 (pressure-sensing, Force clicks, Multi-Touch) | Force Touch trackpad (pressure-sensing, Multi-Touch gestures); size not published |
| Speakers | Six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers, wide stereo, Dolby Atmos playback | 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 |
Software and model
The Apple MacBook Pro 14 is ahead on software and updates.
The Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is sold renewed (used and refurbished); the Apple MacBook Pro 14 is sold new. It is sold new and is newer, and the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch doesn't beat it on anything here.
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) | Apple MacBook Pro 14 (M5) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | macOS | macOS |
| Released | 2019 | 2025 |