MacBook Pro 14 M4 vs MacBook Pro 14 M5: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
On paper, the MacBook Pro 14 M5 is the MacBook Pro 14 M4’s replacement. What that replacement actually adds is what this page is about. Close matchups are the hardest to call, and the MacBook Pro 14 M4 versus the MacBook Pro 14 M5 is one of them.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage MacBook Pro 14 M5 wins
- Battery Life & Charging Tie
- Ports & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Display9.4
- Performance4.3
- Memory & Storage6.2
- Battery Life & Charging7.4
- Display9.4
- Performance4.3
- Memory & Storage7.1
- Battery Life & Charging7.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The MacBook Pro 14 M5 has a bigger top storage option
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 4 TB for the MacBook Pro 14 M5 versus 2 TB for the MacBook Pro 14 M4. For most buyers, the maximum is academic, but it can decide things for heavy users.
Design & Size
- MacBook Pro 14 M4 12.31 in × 8.71 in × 0.61 in
- MacBook Pro 14 M5 12.31 in × 8.71 in × 0.61 in
If you’re worried about fit, relax: either laptop occupies roughly the same footprint. The MacBook Pro 14 M4 is neither lighter nor heavier than the MacBook Pro 14 M5 in any way that counts.
Design & Build
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 12.31 in | 12.31 in |
| Depth | 8.71 in | 8.71 in |
| Thickness | 0.61 in | 0.61 in |
| Weight | 3.42 lb | 3.42 lb |
Display
Too close to call
In the display category, the MacBook Pro 14 M4 and the MacBook Pro 14 M5 land in almost the same place. The takeaway: display is not where these two differ.
Performance
Too close to call
Both the MacBook Pro 14 M4 and the MacBook Pro 14 M5 cover performance equally well on paper. Don’t let performance decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Memory & Storage
MacBook Pro 14 M5 leads
In the memory & storage category, the MacBook Pro 14 M5 is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. The MacBook Pro 14 M5 wins here with a bigger top storage option. The MacBook Pro 14 M5 can be configured with more room, useful for video work or big game libraries. For memory & storage, the MacBook Pro 14 M5 is the one to beat.
Max storage
MacBook Pro 14 M4: 2 TB MacBook Pro 14 M5: 4 TB A bigger top storage option matters if you keep large media libraries or project files locally.
Battery Life & Charging
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t battery life & charging. Either laptop will serve you equally well on battery life & charging.
Ports & Connectivity
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the ports & connectivity section; the two are too close to separate. Treat ports & connectivity as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.2 in | 14.2 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) | Liquid Retina XDR (mini-LED) |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 3024 x 1964 |
| Pixel density | 254 ppi | 254 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 1,000 nits | 1,000 nits |
Performance
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple M4 | Apple M5 |
| CPU cores | 10 | 10 |
| Graphics | Apple M4 GPU (10-core) | Apple M5 GPU (10-core) |
| GPU cores | 10 | 10 |
| Cooling | Active (fan) | Active (fan) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Base memory | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Max memory | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Base storage | 512 GB | 512 GB |
| Max storage | 2 TB | 4 TB (winner) |
Battery Life & Charging
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 72.4 Wh | 72.4 Wh |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 24 h | 24 h |
| Included charger | 70 W | 70 W |
Ports & Connectivity
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C / Thunderbolt ports | 3 | 3 |
| Other ports | Thunderbolt 4; HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack | Thunderbolt 4; HDMI, SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, 3.5 mm headphone jack |
| Webcam | 12MP Center Stage | 12MP Center Stage |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) |
| Operating system | macOS Sequoia | macOS Tahoe |
Design & Build
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 12.31 in | 12.31 in |
| Depth | 8.71 in | 8.71 in |
| Thickness | 0.61 in | 0.61 in |
| Weight | 3.42 lb | 3.42 lb |
Price
| Spec | MacBook Pro 14 M4 | MacBook Pro 14 M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $1,599 | $1,599 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The MacBook Pro 14 M4 and the MacBook Pro 14 M5 launched at the same price, so this comes down to the specs.
Launch prices in the US as of October 2025; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the MacBook Pro 14 M4 if…
- you don’t care much about the upgrades in the newer model
Choose the MacBook Pro 14 M5 if…
- you want room to grow into the larger top option (4 TB vs 2 TB)
- you find that the improvements in the MacBook Pro 14 M5 match what you need
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the MacBook Pro 14 M4 or the MacBook Pro 14 M5?
The MacBook Pro 14 M5 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’re already happy with the MacBook Pro 14 M4.
Should I upgrade from the MacBook Pro 14 M4 to the MacBook Pro 14 M5?
The MacBook Pro 14 M5 adds a bigger top storage option. That’s welcome, but owners of the MacBook Pro 14 M4 who are happy with it can reasonably wait.
Does the MacBook Pro 14 M4 last longer on a charge than the MacBook Pro 14 M5?
On paper, the MacBook Pro 14 M4 and the MacBook Pro 14 M5 are evenly matched on battery, so expect similar endurance.
Which is larger, the MacBook Pro 14 M4 or the MacBook Pro 14 M5?
Neither by much. The MacBook Pro 14 M4 and the MacBook Pro 14 M5 have nearly identical dimensions.
Is the MacBook Pro 14 M4 lighter than the MacBook Pro 14 M5?
Their weights are practically identical, so neither has a real advantage.
Executive Summary
The MacBook Pro 14 M5 arrived to replace the MacBook Pro 14 M4, and I’ve spent a good while with both spec sheets. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the MacBook Pro 14 M5 has a bigger top storage option.
The MacBook Pro 14 M4 makes sense for anyone who values the things a spec sheet can’t capture; the MacBook Pro 14 M5 for anyone who values memory & storage.
My pick: the MacBook Pro 14 M5 if you’re buying fresh, but I wouldn’t rush to replace a working MacBook Pro 14 M4.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.