The MacBook Pro M5 just got harder to recommend. Apple hiked pricing for most of its hardware in June 2026, with a 1TB MacBook Pro M5 rising by about $300 as memory shortages and higher prices for computer components reached customers. That turns an already expensive purchase into a more demanding calculation.
The question is no longer whether the MacBook Pro M5 has enough power. It does. The question is whether its display support, price, and expected lifespan justify choosing it over the rest of Apple’s current lineup, which runs from the MacBook Neo to the MacBook Pro (M5 Max).
The price increase changes the comparison
A $300 increase on the 1TB MacBook Pro M5 is not a small adjustment dressed up as market reality. It forces buyers to look at what they need from the machine instead of treating the Pro name as an automatic answer to every computing problem.
The MacBook Air (M5) supports two external displays, matching the MacBook Pro (M5), while the MacBook Neo supports one. The MacBook Pro (M5 Pro) supports three external displays, and the MacBook Pro (M5 Max) supports four.
Those limits matter because “supports two displays” leaves out the useful part: resolution and refresh rate. The MacBook Air (M5) and MacBook Pro (M5) can each drive up to two 6K displays at 60Hz or two 4K displays at 144Hz. The M5 Pro model reaches three 6K displays at 60Hz or three 4K displays at 144Hz.
The M5 Max is the heavyweight option, supporting up to two 8K displays at 60Hz, four 6K displays at 60Hz, or four 4K displays at 144Hz. If the desk resembles a small control room, the higher-tier MacBook Pro models have the clearer case. For ordinary multitasking, the MacBook Air (M5) and MacBook Pro (M5) already cover two-display setups.
The Neo is cheaper in capability too
The MacBook Neo supports up to one 4K display at 60Hz, and its two USB-C ports do not offer equal access to that feature. The port closest to the back is the high-speed USB 3 connection and supports video output; the other USB-C port cannot carry a display signal.
The Neo also does not support Thunderbolt. That makes its single-display limit more than a number on a specification sheet, especially for anyone planning a desk with multiple high-resolution screens.
DisplayLink offers a workaround for connecting more displays than Apple’s official limits allow, but it requires a DisplayLink-compatible dock or adapter and the DisplayLink Manager app. In other words, the workaround adds another box, another application, and another opportunity for a simple laptop purchase to become a small infrastructure project.
There is also a timing problem. The MacBook Pro M5 delivers strong performance, but models with OLED screens could make it feel out of date. The rumored MacBook Ultra could be a game-changer, though no details beyond that possibility are established here. Buying a powerful machine today does not prevent tomorrow’s product cycle from showing up with better hardware and a more persuasive screen.
Battery life still depends on settings
Owners who keep their current MacBook can extend battery life without buying anything. Apple recommends replacing a MacBook’s battery when Battery Health falls below 80 percent, which gives users a clear point for deciding whether the battery itself has become the problem.
Low Power Mode lives in System Settings > Battery > Energy Mode. Apple also recommends enabling “Slightly dim the display on battery,” setting “Turn display off on battery when inactive” to a short interval, and turning on “Optimize video streaming while on battery” to reduce energy use during streaming.
Keyboard settings matter too: lowering keyboard backlight brightness and setting “Turn keyboard backlight off after inactivity” can save power. Activity Monitor’s Energy Impact section shows which apps are draining the battery, turning vague battery anxiety into an actual list of suspects.
Browser and system settings can trim more waste. Safari can stop websites from automatically starting videos through Websites > Auto-Play, while Chrome’s Settings > Performance > Energy Saver reduces background processes and limits visual effects. macOS can also turn off auto-play for animated images through Accessibility > Motion.
Finally, System Settings > Battery > Options > Wake for network access should be set to “Only on Power Adapter” to prevent the MacBook from waking for network updates while unplugged. Checking app access under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services can identify software drawing power in the background.
The MacBook Pro M5 remains a capable machine, but the June 2026 price hike weakens its value. Buyers who need two displays may find the MacBook Air (M5) sufficient, while users with three or four displays have a reason to move to the M5 Pro or M5 Max. Everyone else should weigh the $300 increase against battery condition, display needs, and the chance that the next screen upgrade makes today’s premium feel stale.
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