Apple has introduced its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, pairing a new tandem OLED PROLED XDR display with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors. The redesigned 14-inch model starts at RM11,999 in Malaysia, while the 16-inch version starts at RM14,499.
Apple’s Malaysian online store says pre-orders open at 9am MYT on 30 October, with availability beginning 6 November. The new machines sit above the conventional 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6, which starts at RM8,299, so buyers are paying a sizeable premium for the pro-class chips, new display and redesigned chassis.
PROLED XDR combines tandem OLED with touch
The display uses two self-emissive OLED layers and supports a variable refresh rate from 10Hz to 120Hz. Apple claims up to 2,000 nits peak HDR and SDR brightness, a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio and wider colour coverage spanning P3 and Adobe RGB. Those are manufacturer figures measured under controlled conditions, and independent testing will be needed to assess sustained brightness, colour accuracy and OLED behaviour over time.
Touch support is built into the display panel rather than added as a separate overlay. Apple says users can scroll, zoom, move windows and interact directly with creative software, while an updated hinge is intended to reduce movement when the screen is pressed. Existing Mac apps can translate touches into clicks, with developers able to add more purpose-built gestures.
For photographers and colourists, support for both P3 and Adobe RGB is particularly interesting, as these cover different editing and print workflows. Apple also offers an optional nano-texture finish to reduce reflections. Its display engine monitors pixel use and adjusts luminance over time, an approach intended to preserve image quality, though long-term OLED wear and image retention will still need to be evaluated independently.
A Dynamic Island now houses Spotlight, Live Activities and system interactions near the camera area. It is a notable visual departure for the Mac, although its value will depend on how frequently apps support Live Activities and touch-first controls.
M5 Pro and M5 Max power the new design
The range uses M5 Pro and M5 Max rather than the newer base M6 chip. That naming should not be read as a simple hierarchy: these are higher-tier processors intended for sustained professional work, with configurations offering up to 128GB of unified memory and 16TB of storage.
Apple rates battery life at up to 24 hours and says the 14-inch model weighs 3lb (about 1.38kg), while the 16-inch version weighs 4lb (about 1.82kg). The company also claims the redesigned six-speaker system delivers 50% deeper bass. Real endurance, thermal performance and speaker improvements remain to be established by independent reviews.
The familiar 12MP Center Stage webcam remains, now paired with improved video stabilisation intended to prevent the camera image from shaking when users tap the display. Apple says the screen is especially useful for manipulating artwork, editing video in Final Cut Pro and playing virtual instruments in Logic Pro, but the keyboard and trackpad are still present for conventional Mac workflows.
Connectivity includes three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, an SDXC slot, MagSafe and a headphone jack. Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 are handled by Apple’s N1 wireless chip, and fast charging is rated to reach 50% in 30 minutes with a suitable adapter.
Malaysia prices climb quickly with M5 Max
The 14-inch M5 Pro model starts at RM11,999, or RM11,399 with education pricing. The 16-inch M5 Pro version starts at RM14,499, or RM13,599 for education customers. Moving to M5 Max raises the starting prices to RM19,299 for 14 inches and RM20,499 for 16 inches.
This is the most consequential MacBook Pro redesign in years, but it is also an expensive one. At RM11,999, the entry OLED model costs RM3,700 more than the RM8,299 M6 MacBook Pro, although the comparison also includes a move from the base M6 to the higher-tier M5 Pro chip. Creative professionals who need OLED contrast, Adobe RGB coverage or direct screen interaction have clear reasons to investigate it. Buyers who mainly want a fast general-purpose Mac may find the M6 model considerably easier to justify, especially as it retains the mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR screen and traditional input experience.