Apple has unveiled a new lineup of products powered by its next-generation M5 chip, including refreshed versions of the MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and the second-generation Vision Pro headset. The updates strengthen Apple’s position in the AI-driven computing market, targeting creative professionals and tech enthusiasts.
M5 Chip: Apple’s Leap in AI Performance
The M5 chip, built using a 3-nanometer process, represents Apple’s most advanced silicon yet. The new chip enhances both performance and energy efficiency, allowing devices like the MacBook Pro to run large language models directly on-device. This marks a major step in Apple’s ongoing effort to integrate AI capabilities natively across its ecosystem, rather than relying solely on cloud-based processing.
New MacBook Pro with M5 Chip
The 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5) leads the refresh lineup, delivering faster performance and improved AI handling compared to the M4 version launched last year. Despite the upgrades, Apple has kept prices unchanged—the base model starts at $1,599. This pricing strategy could help Apple appeal to professional users seeking AI performance without a higher price tag.
iPad Pro and Vision Pro 2: Expanding Apple’s AI Ecosystem
The new iPad Pro, starting at $999, also features the M5 chip, enabling smoother multitasking, advanced image editing, and faster generative AI workloads. Meanwhile, Apple’s Vision Pro 2 headset, priced at $3,499, introduces design and performance improvements following tepid reception of the first-generation model launched in 2023.
Though the original Vision Pro impressed with its ultra-high-resolution display, its niche market and premium price limited widespread adoption. The second-generation model aims to fix these issues and integrate more tightly with other Apple devices through the new M5 chip.
Apple’s Market Outlook
Apple’s iPad sales are expected to grow about 6 percent in FY2025, rebounding from a three-year decline thanks to the introduction of smaller, more affordable models and a global recovery in electronics demand. Mac sales are also projected to rise, driven by the Mac Mini with M4, catering to cost-conscious buyers, Reuters news report said.
With M5-powered devices, Apple is positioning itself to compete with Qualcomm and Intel’s AI-focused chips, strengthening its dominance in the premium computing market. The company’s focus on on-device AI processing could also provide a competitive edge in privacy, speed, and energy efficiency—key factors for creative and enterprise users.
Rajani Baburajan
