M5 MacBook Pro

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

RAM, Storage, and “Pro” Positioning

  • Many are frustrated that base M5 MacBook Pro and Air both start at 16 GB RAM, and that M5 tops out at 32 GB. Seen as inadequate for “pro” and AI/LLM workloads and as deliberate product segmentation.
  • Some argue Apple has historically shipped “just enough” RAM for mainstream users and that most buyers don’t know or care; critics call this planned obsolescence and profiteering.
  • 512 GB base SSD plus high upgrade pricing is also criticized, especially compared with Windows laptops that ship with more RAM/SSD at lower cost.
  • Apple’s “unified memory is more efficient” marketing is viewed skeptically: unified RAM helps CPU/GPU sharing but doesn’t magically replace larger capacities.

Wi‑Fi 7, Connectivity, and Ports

  • Lack of Wi‑Fi 7 is widely called out, particularly since newer iPads have it. Some speculate it’s being held for M5 Pro/Max or a future redesign.
  • Network admins note Wi‑Fi 7’s congestion benefits in dense environments; others dismiss it as spec‑chasing given current laptop workloads.
  • Upgradability complaints recur: no user‑replaceable Wi‑Fi, RAM, or storage anymore.

Charger Removal and International Pricing

  • In parts of Europe, the new MBP ships without a charger but at a lower base price. Some welcome this (already have many USB‑C chargers, environmental and shipping-volume benefits).
  • Others say a laptop “should” include a charger, worry about low‑wattage or unsafe third‑party bricks, and call the experience confusing for non‑experts.
  • EU pricing vs US (even accounting for VAT and 2‑year warranty) is seen as noticeably worse; some believe non‑US buyers are subsidizing US pricing or tariffs.

Chip Lineup, Release Cadence, and Future M5 Pro/Max

  • Current release is only base M5 in a 14" MBP; 16" and higher‑end configs remain on M4 Pro/Max. This staggered rollout annoys buyers who need high‑end machines now.
  • Others point out Apple and the wider industry have long used this pattern: start with smaller, easier‑to‑yield dies, then scale up Pro/Max/Ultra later.
  • Consensus expectation: M5 Pro/Max will arrive in ~6 months with higher RAM ceilings and possibly Wi‑Fi 7.

macOS vs Linux/Windows for Development

  • One long Linux‑user thread describes regretting a switch to an M4 MBP:
    • dotfiles divergence, missing arm64 ports, Docker-in-VM friction, stricter permissions, odd system protections, and macOS window management frustrate them.
  • Many others counter that macOS is an excellent dev platform (especially with Homebrew or Nix, and tools like UTM, Lima, NixOS, Aerospace, Raycast), and that millions of developers ship code from Macs.
  • Common pain points acknowledged even by Mac fans: Docker UX, BSD vs GNU tool differences, Gatekeeper/signing prompts, and macOS’s app‑centric windowing vs Linux tiling/Plasma.

Battery Life and Performance Gains

  • Users praise Apple Silicon’s battery life; M‑series MBPs routinely last a full workday, though some report outliers with poor endurance or aging batteries.
  • Apple’s marketing comparisons against Intel and M1 are seen as cherry‑picked; people want clear generational charts (M1→M2→M3→M4→M5) for real workloads.
  • Many M1/M2 owners don’t feel day‑to‑day speed pressure to upgrade; gains are more obvious in heavy GPU/media/AI tasks than in normal dev or browsing.

Gaming Capability

  • Mixed views: some happily game on M‑series Macs (Baldur’s Gate 3, LoL, Civ, Factorio, lots via Crossover/Wine); others note performance is closer to older Nvidia GPUs and inadequate for modern AAA at high settings.
  • Apple’s recent gaming push is noted, but lack of native ports, anti‑cheat issues, and mod ecosystem lock‑in to Windows remain big barriers.

Cellular and Hardware Design Wishes

  • Several want built‑in cellular on MacBooks, especially Air, to avoid tethering and carry‑two‑devices friction. Others see tethering as good enough and don’t want another paid line.
  • Requests also surface for more colors, return of Space Gray, and better keyboards (full‑size arrow keys, PgUp/PgDn/Home/End).
  • Some fantasize about “perfect” combos: Apple hardware with Linux, or a light big‑screen Air plus a separate AI‑tuned Mac.

Upgrade Decisions and Longevity

  • Many M1 owners feel little urgency to upgrade; Apple’s own first‑gen chips are described as “too good.” Some consider only battery degradation as a trigger.
  • Rule-of-thumb advice repeated: if you buy, max out RAM you can afford due to it being non‑upgradeable and heavily impacting experience (especially with LLMs and Docker).