Apple has quietly changed the storage options for the M5 MacBook Pro, removing the 512GB configuration and making 1TB the new standard across the lineup.
At the same time, the company has reduced the cost of SSD upgrades. The result is a higher starting price, but better overall value if you were planning to upgrade storage anyway.
Here is what changed.
1TB is now the starting point
Previously, the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro started at $1,599 with 512GB of storage. That option is now gone.
The entry-level M5 MacBook Pro now starts at:
- 1TB SSD
- 16GB unified memory
- $1,699 starting price
So yes, the base price increased by $100. But you now get double the storage compared to the old base model.
All standard M5 MacBook Pro models can be configured with up to 4TB of storage.
SSD upgrades are now cheaper
This is where things get more interesting. Under the previous pricing structure:
- Upgrading from 512GB to 1TB pushed the total price to $1,799
- Upgrading to 2TB cost $600
- Upgrading to 4TB cost $1,200
Now:
- The base 1TB model costs $1,699
- Upgrading from 1TB to 2TB costs $400
- Upgrading to 4TB costs $1,000
In simple terms, Apple removed the lower storage option and reduced the price of larger SSD upgrades.
If you were planning to buy a 1TB model before, you are now saving $100 compared to the previous structure. Larger upgrades are also less expensive than they used to be.
Updated stock configurations
Apple has also adjusted its pre-configured store models.
The old base configuration with 512GB storage and 16GB memory has been replaced. The new stock options include:
- $1,699 with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- $1,899 with 24GB RAM and 1TB SSD
- $2,099 with 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD
Apple no longer prominently lists stock configurations on its online purchase pages, but these updated models will still be available in retail stores.
Availability
Standard M5 MacBook Pro models with the new storage tiers are available for purchase now and can arrive as soon as tomorrow depending on region.
The higher-end M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models will be available for pre-order starting at 6:15 a.m. Pacific Time on March 4, with official availability beginning March 11.
What this means for buyers
At first glance, the price increase may seem like a drawback. However, the situation is more nuanced.
Apple eliminated the 512GB model and made 1TB the baseline. At the same time, it lowered upgrade pricing for higher capacities. For many buyers, especially professionals who need more storage, the new structure actually improves value.
If you only needed 512GB, you are now forced to pay more upfront. But if you were already considering 1TB or more, this update works in your favor.
For a tech news site that tracks pricing trends, this is a meaningful shift in Apple’s configuration strategy. It signals that 1TB may now be the new standard expectation for professional laptops.
