The new MacBook Pro models with PROLED XDR displays began arriving to customers on Friday, and a number of hardware and design details have since emerged.
MacBook Pro performance and benchmark results
The PROLED XDR models are available with the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips used in the mini‑LED MacBook Pro line, so performance was expected to be virtually identical — and Geekbench 7 averages support that. Reported multi‑core scores in the Geekbench 7 database are 34,988 for the 16‑inch MacBook Pro (Mini‑LED, M5 Max) and 34,904 for the 16‑inch MacBook Pro (PROLED XDR, M5 Max). The chip has an 18‑core CPU in both models.
Design and hardware changes
YouTube channel Max Tech noted the new models’ bottom cover now has slightly recessed feet and is secured with four pentalobe screws instead of eight on previous models. Under the bottom cover sit larger speakers that, according to Apple, deliver 50% deeper bass. The display corners have also changed: on the new PROLED models the bottom corners are rounded as well as the top corners, whereas on the mini‑LED models only the top corners were rounded, producing a more uniform appearance.
Illuminated Apple logo returns
John Gruber confirmed the illuminated Apple logo on the new MacBook Pro lids uses a custom light source, seemingly a white LED. Older MacBooks released in 2015 and earlier used the LCD’s backlight to illuminate the logo, but OLED displays do not have a backlight. When asked why Apple brought back the illuminated logo, Gruber shared Apple’s answer: “Because it’s awesome.”
