For pro-level users, Apple's latest MacBook Pro 14 with the M5 chip is a nearly flawless machine. But let's be honest: the sticker shock from upgrading its RAM and storage can be a tough pill to swallow. In our recent review, we argued that the base model was the only one that made clear financial sense, as jumping to the M4 Pro model often offered better value. However, a new price cut on Amazon has just shifted the calculus, making a previously hard-to-justify configuration surprisingly compelling.
The Price Drop That Changes Everything
The biggest hurdle with the MacBook Pro 14 M5 has never been its starting price, but the exorbitant cost of its upgrades. Moving from the base 512GB SSD to a 1TB drive typically adds a whopping $200 to the price tag—a tough ask for most.
Fortunately, Amazon has now slashed the price of the 16GB RAM / 1TB storage configuration by 8%, or $142. This brings the price down to just $1,657. While not the deepest discount we've ever seen, it strategically targets the most painful part of the upgrade path. That $142 saving takes a significant edge off the storage premium, effectively making the leap to 1TB far more palatable for power users who need the extra space.
Check out the discounted MacBook Pro 14 M5 (16GB/1TB) on Amazon here to see the deal for yourself.
Recap: Why the MacBook Pro 14 M5 is "Very Good"
So, what are you getting for your money? In our detailed hands-on review, we awarded the laptop a "very good" rating of 91%. It’s a machine that excels where it counts.
Performance Without Compromise: The heart of this laptop is Apple's M5 system-on-a-chip (SoC). Its performance is outstanding, going toe-to-toe with the 12-core M4 Pro in multi-threaded tasks and leaving Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm competition in the dust thanks to its exceptional single-core speed and remarkable power efficiency. For coding, photo editing, and other demanding tasks, it's in a league of its own.
A Display That Dazzles: Apple continues with its stunning 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display. This Mini-LED panel is a creative's dream, boasting over 600 nits of average brightness, complete DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, an infinite contrast ratio for inky blacks, and a buttery-smooth 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Whether you're color-grading video or just binging your favorite show, it’s an absolute joy to use.
All-Day Power, No Compromises: True to the Apple Silicon legacy, battery life remains a massive strength. In our standardized WLAN test, the MacBook Pro 14 M5 delivered close to an incredible 17 hours of use on a single charge, ensuring you can leave the power adapter at home without a second thought.
The Caveats Remain
No device is perfect, and the MacBook Pro 14 M5 has its share of quirks. Our review noted that while the chassis is solid and the performance top-tier, the fan noise can be more pronounced under sustained load compared to some predecessors. The 1080p webcam also feels a generation behind in an era of high-resolution video calls. And, of course, the lack of any user-serviceable parts means what you buy at the start is what you're stuck with for the life of the machine.
The Verdict: A Stellar Prosumer Notebook, Now With Smarter Value
The 2025 MacBook Pro 14 with the Apple M5 is, without a doubt, a stellar prosumer notebook. It nails the core fundamentals of performance, display quality, and battery life. While the upgrade costs are still high, this Amazon discount on the 1TB model directly addresses the biggest point of contention.
If you've been considering a MacBook Pro 14 M5 but were hesitant about the storage upgrade cost, this deal is your green light. It transforms a financially questionable configuration into a sensible purchase for anyone who needs that extra space for projects, applications, and media libraries. Like almost all modern MacBooks, it becomes super easy to recommend once the price is right.
