Apple's M5 MacBook Pro Hits Lowest Price Yet - $300 Off at B&H Photo

Apple's latest 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 processor has hit its lowest price yet, with B&H Photo offering the configuration with 24GB RAM and 512GB SSD for just $1,499 - a substantial $300 discount off Apple's direct pricing.

This markdown represents the best deal we've seen on Apple's newest MacBook Pro since its late 2024 launch, making the M5-powered machine significantly more accessible to professionals and power users who need Apple's latest silicon.

M5 Performance Upgrades

The M5 chip represents a meaningful step forward from the M4 processor found in last year's base 14-inch MacBook Pro. Apple's hardware refresh delivers between 10% to 20% improved CPU performance over its predecessor, with our benchmark testing showing a single-core score of 4,288 on Geekbench 6 - roughly 10% faster than the M4 configuration.

Multi-core performance saw even more impressive gains, jumping to 17,926 versus 15,114 on the M4, representing an 18% uplift. These improvements translate directly to faster workflows for demanding applications like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development.

Storage Performance Breakthrough

Perhaps more impressive than the CPU gains is the SSD performance leap. The M5 MacBook Pro achieves read and write speeds of 6000 MB/s - approximately 2.5 times faster than a PCIe Gen 4 SSD. This massive storage throughput improvement means significantly faster file transfers, quicker application launches, and more responsive overall system performance, particularly when working with large media files or datasets.

Premium Features at a Discount

This $1,499 configuration includes several high-end features that make it particularly attractive:

• 24GB unified memory - Ample RAM for multitasking and memory-intensive applications
• 512GB SSD - Balanced storage for most professional workflows
• 3024 x 1964 pixel Liquid Retina XDR display - Exceptional color accuracy and brightness
• Space Black chassis - Premium aesthetic with reduced fingerprint visibility
• Comprehensive port selection - Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, SDXC card reader, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack, and MagSafe 3 connector

The MacBook Pro's port selection remains one of its strongest selling points, offering connectivity options that many competing ultrabooks lack. The inclusion of a full-size SD card reader and HDMI 2.1 port is particularly valuable for photographers, videographers, and content creators.

Audio Excellence

Apple continues to differentiate its MacBook Pro line with audio quality that outperforms competitors. The M5 model maintains the "rocking speaker system" found in previous generations, delivering rich, room-filling sound that eliminates the need for external speakers in many scenarios.

Missing Wi-Fi 7

One notable omission is Wi-Fi 7 support. Despite the Apple N1 chip being available in other Apple devices, the M5 MacBook Pro ships with Wi-Fi 6E. While this won't impact most users immediately, it does mean the laptop won't be able to take advantage of the fastest wireless speeds as Wi-Fi 7 networks become more prevalent.

Why This Deal Matters

At $1,499, this MacBook Pro configuration becomes much more competitive with Windows-based alternatives while maintaining Apple's ecosystem advantages. The combination of the M5's performance improvements, the substantial storage speed boost, and the generous 24GB RAM makes this an excellent value for:

• Video editors working with 4K or 8K footage
• Software developers running multiple virtual machines
• Photographers managing large RAW libraries
• Creative professionals using memory-intensive applications
• Anyone seeking a premium laptop with long-term performance headroom

The $300 savings compared to Apple's direct pricing is particularly significant given that Apple rarely discounts its hardware, especially new models. This kind of deal typically indicates either inventory clearance or strategic pricing to maintain market competitiveness.

Alternative Options

For users who don't need the M5's latest performance or prefer different configurations, B&H Photo and other retailers frequently offer deals on various MacBook Pro models. The base M4 configuration, M4 Pro variants, and even M3 models can provide excellent value depending on specific needs and budget constraints.

Bottom Line

The $1,499 price point for Apple's M5 MacBook Pro with 24GB RAM represents a compelling opportunity to acquire Apple's latest professional laptop at a significant discount. The combination of generational performance improvements, breakthrough storage speeds, and premium features makes this deal particularly attractive for users who demand Apple's ecosystem and build quality without paying full retail price.

Given Apple's typical pricing patterns and the substantial discount from MSRP, this deal may not last long. Users considering an upgrade or new purchase should act quickly to take advantage of this rare opportunity to save $300 on Apple's newest professional laptop.