At first glance, the new MacBook Pro with M5 chip might seem like a conservative update: same chassis, same cooling system with a fan and a single heat pipe, giving off that “more of the same” vibe Apple tends to deliver during mid-cycle refreshes. But beneath the surface, there are changes with real impact on daily use. The most noticeable, according to a comparison published by Max Tech, is in storage: the SSD in the M5 flies compared to the M4, reaching over double the performance in sequential tests on the popular Blackmagic Disk Speed Test.
This isn’t just about a single number. In sequential read, the MacBook Pro M5 hit 6,323 MB/s, versus 2,031 MB/s for the M4: a +211.3% difference. For write speeds, the gap is also notable: 6,068 MB/s for the M5 compared to 3,293 MB/s for the M4 (+84.31%). Both units—based on teardown analysis—use two NAND chips to maximize bandwidth from the controller, but these results suggest that Apple has refined the storage subsystem in the new model (probably the SSD controller and/or firmware), bringing it closer in performance to NVMe PCIe 4.0 found in high-end PCs.
Same thermal design, different SSD
One of the most striking data points is that Apple hasn’t changed the internal layout between generations: the M4 and M5 share ventilation and layout. There are no visual clues of a radical reconfiguration of the storage either, aside from the detail of the two NAND packages. Still, the speed leap is clear and, importantly, consistent in both read and write speeds in the Blackmagic tool, which is the benchmark for sequential measurement in video workflows and large file operations.
That said, it’s worth reiterating the obvious: Blackmagic measures sequential access, which favors SSDs better suited for large file transfers, exports, and library moves. Random performance—affecting app launches, project loads with thousands of small files, or builds with many dependencies—depends more on queues, latencies, and caches. Results may not scale proportionally. Without more extensive testing (fio, AmorphousDiskMark, boot and app launch timing tests with a stopwatch), the Blackmagic data suggests tangible improvements in heavy I/O tasks, translating to less waiting when moving large data blocks.
What’s changed?
Apple does not publicly detail the SSD controller nor the storage subsystem architecture in their laptops, so for now, we can only infer. Two reasonable hypotheses:
- More capable/up-to-date controller (more channels, better planning, more DRAM or HMB cache, if applicable) to sustain feeding the two NAND modules in parallel.
- Different firmware and thermal management strategies that keep throttling in check during testing. If the unit can maintain 6 GB/s without hitting thermal throttling, users will notice during prolonged exports and large copies.
What remains unchanged is the integration philosophy: SSD soldiered to the logic board (no user upgrades possible) and a design focused on homogeneity. Apple compensates with top-tier speed and latency, but retains the decision to prevent user-replaceable storage.
Temperatures: the M5 “heats up,” but less than the M4
The same Max Tech video highlights a key thermal detail for anyone pushing CPU and/or GPU: the M5 can reach 99°C under heavy load. That’s high, yes, but the reviewer notes it performs better than the M4 under similar conditions: less time at thermal throttle and faster recovery, possibly thanks to micro-adjustments in fan profiles and SoC behavior under stress.
This isn’t to say the M5 is cold—far from it—it means it manages heat more efficiently with the same system. If your workflow involves long loads (video editing, compiling, local ML), throttling becomes the key factor in extended benchmarks. A SSD that sustains high speeds and a chip that better handles heat paint a promising picture for faster exports and project moves with fewer I/O/CPU bottlenecks.
Does it show in everyday use?
Yes, beyond just numbers. A faster SSD smooths application launches for large apps, library loads (like Lightroom, Final Cut, Xcode), project copies, virtual machine clones, and generally anything involving moving large blocks. The jump from M4 to M5 isn’t “seconds to milliseconds,” but it reduces wait times by several seconds per operation. Over a day, that adds up, and it feels noticeable.
Meanwhile, the SoC improvements (not detailed here) benefit from having a “storage” system that doesn’t bottleneck as easily. In mixed CPU/GPU + I/O workloads, the SSD’s better performance clearly supports smoother operation.
And the price?
Beyond raw performance, cost remains an important factor. The referenced options in the US cited by the YouTuber are:
- Base MacBook Pro M5: $1,583 (Space Black finish)
- Base “pushed” M4 MacBook Pro: $1,349 with 16 GB unified memory, 512 GB SSD, and 10-core CPU/GPU (same Space Black finish)
The temptation is clear: if your budget is tight and you don’t need the latest SSD and SoC, a well-configured M4 offers great value. But if your daily workflow heavily relies on storage, exports, and heavy-duty tools, the M5 provides a performance-per-dollar balance that mainly pays off through reduced bottlenecks.
Context: tests, configs, and fine print
Some nuances to keep in mind before drawing conclusions:
- Capacity: Apple has historically offered “entry” configs with fewer NAND chips (e.g., 1× in base models) that hurt performance. This comparison shows both models with two modules, but in-store configurations may differ. Verify capacity and channels if SSD speed is critical.
- Test type: Blackmagic is sequential and great for video workflows. If your workflow involves development, data, or random access apps, look for comparisons including 4K random tests, latency, and queues.
- Sustained speeds: maintaining 6 GB/s matters if it can be preserved over long durations (large exports, multi-gigabyte copies). A brief burst that slows down quickly is less impactful.
- Thermal considerations: reaching 99°C isn’t the end of the world but should be monitored during demanding workloads. For intense use, check temperature and sustained performance over 30–60 minute tests.
Who benefits most from this upgrade?
- Content creators (video/photo) dealing with large files and frequent exports.
- Developers with sizable workspaces, massive repositories, and parallel build/test workflows.
- Data scientists and local ML practitioners working with medium to large datasets that frequently shuttle between disk and memory.
- Power users with virtual machines or containers that clone images and snapshot often.
If your main tasks are office work, browsing, videoconferencing, and light editing, the upgrade will still help, but it’s less critical.
Final thoughts
The label “minor update” doesn’t quite do justice to the MacBook Pro with M5. At least around the SSD aspect, Apple has made a clear leap: over 6,000 MB/s in sequential read/write — according to Blackmagic — and a significant advantage over the M4 that’s noticeable in copying, exporting, and project loading. When combined with better thermal management—less stress and higher sustained speeds—the M5 emerges as a well-rounded choice for those prioritizing smoothness and low wait times daily.
However, as always, verify your specific configuration (SSD capacity and NAND channels) and recognize that Blackmagic tests mainly sequential; they don’t replace comprehensive real-world tests like battery life, random access, and sustained workloads. With those considerations in mind, the verdict is clear: the M5’s storage outperforms the M4’s decisively.