Apple reveals MacBook line with M5 chips and doubles storage capacity for AI tasks

MacBook Air M5

MacBook Air M5 - Divulgação

A gigante de tecnologia de Cupertino anunciou oficialmente a renovação de seu portfólio de computadores portáteis com a introdução da família de processadores M5. O evento, realizado na Califórnia, destacou o compromisso da empresa em elevar o patamar de desempenho para profissionais e usuários casuais, trazendo melhorias substanciais na arquitetura de hardware. A pré-venda dos novos dispositivos já está liberada em mercados selecionados, com as primeiras unidades previstas para envio a partir de 11 de março, abrangendo 33 países na fase inicial de lançamento.

This new generation of equipment hits the market with a significant strategic change in input configurations, responding to a long-standing consumer demand for more native space. The company confirmed that initial storage has been doubled from previous versions to accommodate the growing volume of data generated by modern applications and AI-based workflows. Além of the gain in capacity, the transfer speed of the new SSDs also received attention, promising superior agility in handling heavy files.

MacBook Air M5 – 開示

The macOS Tahoe operating system was presented as the ideal environment to extract the maximum potential of this new hardware, integrating software features that directly depend on the neural processing capacity of the new chips. The integration between hardware and software continues to be the competitive differentiator, ensuring that energy efficiency remains high even with the gross increase in performance.

Consumers looking to upgrade will find an ecosystem prepared for the era of ultra-fast connectivity, with the inclusion of new wireless and wired network standards. The update was not just limited to laptops, it also extended to professional viewing peripherals, which gained features inherited from high-end lines to offer a more fluid and precise visual experience.

Performance Advancements with M5 Architecture

The heart of this update lies in the new Apple Silicon chip family, made up of the M5, M5 Pro and M5 Max variants. The M5 base model, intended for the MacBook Air, incorporates neural accelerators on all of its cores, an engineering decision aimed at optimizing machine learning tasks directly on the device. Essa architecture enables complex AI processes to run locally, reducing dependency on the cloud and increasing user data privacy.

For users who demand greater computing power, the M5 Pro features a robust configuration of up to 18 CPU cores, divided between 12 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores. Preliminary Testes indicate that this chip outperforms its predecessor, the M4 Pro, by up to 30% in multithreaded tasks. Essa profit margin is crucial for developers and engineers who compile large volumes of code or run complex virtual simulations.

At the top of the hierarchy, the M5 Max chip focuses on energy efficiency combined with raw power, delivering a 15% increase in overall performance compared to the previous generation. The highlight, however, is the computing capacity for artificial intelligence, which has quadrupled thanks to the new neural architecture. Isso enables the use of advanced voice recognition and image processing tools in real time without compromising battery life.

New storage and memory standards

One of the most welcome changes in this line is the redefinition of base storage. The MacBook Air now starts with 512 GB of SSD, abandoning the 256 GB that limited many users. Essa flash memory has not only doubled in capacity, but also has its read and write speed optimized, ensuring that the system starts instantly and heavy applications load without choking. Para who needs more space, the Air can be configured with up to 4 TB.

In the professional line, the leap is even greater. The MacBook Pro equipped with M5 Pro starts with 1 TB of storage, while the version with M5 Max comes out of the box with 2 TB. The speed of these drives is twice as high as previous models, facilitating the work of video editors who deal with 8K footage and require high data transfer rates to avoid bottlenecks in the editing timeline.

Unified memory (RAM) also received strategic upgrades. Configurations now start at 16GB, with options that scale to 32GB and beyond depending on the model. Essa high-bandwidth memory allows the GPU and CPU to access data simultaneously efficiently, which is vital for 3D rendering and manipulating large textures in graphics projects.

Connectivity and updates on Studio Display

Connectivity has been modernized with the inclusion of the N1 chip, which enables support for the Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6. Para professionals who work in congested network environments or transfer files wirelessly, the Wi-Fi 7 offers reduced latency and greater stability. The Bluetooth 6 improves connection to peripherals, ensuring lower power consumption and greater range for wireless accessories.

The physical ports have also evolved, with the introduction of the Thunderbolt 5 on the MacBook models Pro and the new Studio Display. Essa interface allows the connection of multiple high-resolution displays and external drives with unprecedented transfer speeds, consolidating the laptop as a true mobile workstation capable of replacing traditional desktops in many scenarios.

The Studio Display monitor has received a significant internal redesign. Agora equipped with Mini-LED technology and 1,000 local dimming zones, it offers superior contrast and HDR support with peak brightness of 2,000 nits. Além In addition, the 27-inch screen with 5K resolution features ProMotion technology, allowing refresh rates of up to 120 Hz, which provides much smoother scrolling and greater precision for designers.

Available pricing and configurations

The repositioning of specifications brought an adjustment in prices, reflecting double storage and new onboard technologies. The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,099, while the 15-inch model starts at $1,299. Este increase of approximately US$100 compared to the previous generation is justified by the elimination of 256 GB models and the inclusion of 16 GB of RAM as standard.

Para the MacBook Pro line, the 14-inch model with M5 Pro chip starts at US$2,199. Já the 16-inch version starts at $2,699. For users who require the maximum power of the M5 Max, the investment starts at US$3,599. Embora values ​​are high, the company argues that the cost-benefit ratio has improved, as it is no longer necessary to pay extra for basic SSD and memory upgrades that were almost mandatory previously.

– MacBook Air 13″: from US$1,099
– MacBook Air 15″: from US$1,299
– MacBook Pro 14″ (M5 Pro): from US$2,199
– MacBook Pro 16″ (M5 Pro): from US$2,699
– MacBook Pro (M5 Max): from US$3,599

Multimedia features and design

The industrial design of the new MacBooks maintains the refined aluminum aesthetic, available in colors such as Midnight, Starlight, Silver and Space Black. Durability and lightness continue to be strong points, especially in the Air line, which preserves its slim fanless profile. The Liquid Retina

In terms of audio and video, advances are notable. The new Studio Display and Pro MacBooks feature improved sound systems, offering 30% more powerful bass and support for Áudio Espacial. The 12 MP cameras with Desk View feature use neural processing to keep the user focused and automatically adjust lighting, elevating the quality of video conferencing.

Integration with the Apple ecosystem has been strengthened. Recursos and Continuity allow for fluid transitions between the Mac, iPad and iPhone. With macOS

Luís Henrique Costa: Luís Henrique Costa é jornalista formado pela FMU, editor-chefe e fundador do Mix Vale, portal de notícias em atividade desde 2013. Responde pela direção editorial do veículo, que cobre Brasil e mundo em economia, benefícios sociais, esportes, tecnologia, ciência e entretenimento. Atua na área há mais de 15 anos e lidera uma equipe de cerca de 15 colaboradores.