Overview
- Apple began taking preorders after its Oct. 28 product event and the first professional reviews and lab tests published on Nov. 5 show units will reach stores on Nov. 6.
- The defining upgrade is the PROLED XDR tandem OLED panel, which reviewers measured at up to about 2,000 nits peak, reported extreme contrast and broad P3 plus Adobe RGB color coverage.
- The touchscreen is Apple’s first on a MacBook but critics describe touch as a secondary, optional input while the keyboard and trackpad remain primary for most pro workflows.
- Systems ship with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that deliver strong sustained performance and class‑leading battery life in independent tests, with Tom’s Guide timing the 16‑inch M5 Max at roughly 21 hours and 24 minutes on a continuous web test.
- Reviewers note a roughly $400 OLED/touch premium over prior mini‑LED MacBook Pros, highlight thinner, lighter chassis and a returning backlit Apple logo, and flag isolated warmth under heavy sustained loads that may affect lap comfort during intense gaming or editing.