Articles by Haley Henschel

Technology

Apples brand-new M5 MacBook Pro got a launch day discount: Save $15 on Amazon

SAVE $15: Amazon has the new 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (M5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) on sale as of Oct. 22. It's usually priced at $1,599, but you'll pay $1,584. Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) — space black Amazon is marking the release of the new Apple MacBook Pro the best way it knows how: by putting it on sale.As of Oct. 22, the first day it's available to the general public, the space black base configuration of the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro is marked down to just $1,584 on the retail giant's website. It comes with 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM, my recommended minimums for a reliable daily driver.The M5 MacBook Pro normally starts at $1,599, and it's still full price at Best Buy and the Apple Store at the time of writing. In other words, Amazon is the only place where I'm seeing it on sale for $15 off. (Be sure its "Shipper / Seller" is Amazon.com: Earlier this morning, it was coming from a random third-party merchant. They're riskier to buy from than Amazon itself, so I always tell shoppers to avoid them for big-ticket purchases like this.)In case you missed it, the M5 MacBook Pro is our latest Mashable Choice Award winner. It may not be a very exciting next-gen update — silicon aside, it's basically identical to its M4 predecessor — but it brings even more oomph to Apple's high-end laptop line without a price hike. It's not like the MacBook Pro desperately needs a huge design overhaul, anyway (though an OLED touchscreen would be fun). Review: With the new MacBook Pro (M5), Apple is just showing off The cheaper M4 MacBook Air is still the best MacBook for most people, in my opinion, but the M5 model is a great upgrade pick if you have the budget. It has a brighter mini-LED display with a better 120Hz refresh rate, better speakers, and a better mix of ports (including an HDMI port and an SDXC card slot). The M5 MacBook Pro is also way better at handling heavier workloads because of its built-in fans; the Air can run hot if you stress it out. For this reason, Mashable tech editor Timothy Beck Werth likes it for "professionals, AI enthusiasts, and creators." (Read his full review.)If you're looking for a MacBook Pro on sale for less, I'll add that Amazon is selling the M4 version at a discount right now, too. The space black base model is listed for $1,349, or $150 off its $1,599 MSRP. That feels reasonable for a 17% dip in multitasking speeds compared to the M5 version, per our CPU benchmarking.

Technology

That was fast: Apples brand-new M5 iPad Pro is already on sale on Amazon

SAVE UP TO $20: Both sizes of the new Apple iPad Pro (M5) are on sale on Amazon as of Oct. 22, its release day. Shop Amazon's M5 iPad Pro deals: Apple iPad Pro, 11-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) — silver (save $15 ) Apple iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, WiFi, 256GB) (save $20) Happy launch day to Apple's all-new M5 iPad Pro. In celebration, two configurations are already on sale on Amazon. Hopefully, you didn't lock in a preorder.As of Oct. 22, the base model of the 11-inch M5 iPad Pro is marked down to $984 in silver (or $15 off), and the starting configuration of the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro is listed for $1,279 in space black (or $20 off). They come with 256GB of storage and lack cellular connectivity, meaning they can only get on the internet using WiFi. Both M5 iPad Pros were still full price at Best Buy and the Apple Store at the time of writing.If you're familiar with the previous-gen M4 iPad Pro, you're already well-acquainted with the M5 model: They're basically identical aside from their chips. Highlights include a beautiful Tandem OLED touchscreen, a nice 12MP Center Stage front camera, and a remarkably thin design. Yes, the iPad Pro is still even thinner than the current iPad Air, our favorite tablet for artists and on-the-go multitaskers.For its part, the new M5 iPad Pro is the model we now recommend for creative professionals and power users with the most demanding workloads. Its blazing-fast M5 chip makes it just as capable as MacBooks and some premium Windows laptops. Limiting it to basic tasks like sending emails and word processing is like putting it on a leash. Review: The new M5 iPad Pro is a victory lap for Apple "If you like to run AI models on your device, you're a professional illustrator or designer, or you need to deliver professional-quality video, the new iPad Pro is up for the job," writes Timothy Beck Werth, Mashable's tech editor. (Read his full review.)One important note: For some of my colleagues, the discounted M5 iPad Pros were only available from random third-party sellers on Amazon. We recommend that shoppers avoid them when it comes to big-ticket purchases like this; buying from Amazon itself is always less risky.To find out who's selling you the M5 iPad Pro, check who's listed as its "Shipper / Seller" (located directly below the orange "Buy Now" button on its product page). If you see something other than "Amazon.com," just hold tight. I saw the new M5 MacBook Pro on sale from a third-party seller earlier this morning, but its supplier reverted back to Amazon.com within an hour.

Technology

The best MacBooks to buy in 2025: The M5 has arrived

Ever since the rollout of the first M-series chips in 2020, the best MacBooks have dominated our guides to the top laptops.Thanks to the latest Apple silicon, the company's signature laptops have consistently offered impressive performance and long battery lives (which Windows laptops have only begun to touch). Granted, MacBooks can be expensive — especially as you add more RAM and storage — but their premium price tags accurately reflect their premium, oft-imitated design and quality.Apple's hot streak continues with the latest M4- and M5-powered models, some of the best MacBooks (and some of the best laptops) ever.Which MacBook should you buy?Apple just debuted the M5 MacBook Pro, but I think this year's 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is the best choice for most people because of its big display and quiet, Pro-level power. Its 13-inch counterpart is the best option for students since it's cheaper and a little more portable. Pro tip: you almost never have to pay full price for these Apple laptops: They're almost always on sale at Amazon and Best Buy. Close-up of the Touch ID key on the new MacBook Pro (M5). Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Apple is finally working on a touchscreen MacBook Pro If you want a nicer 120Hz display, cooler multitasking performance, and a better variety of ports than the Air models offer, go with the new 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro. (Its predecessor is also worth considering if it's on sale.)Read on for my full recommendations and find the best MacBook to buy in 2025, with options for students, professionals, and bargain hunters.