This week, Apple launched new Macs powered by the M5 chip, and there’s a notable trend: increased base storage but slightly higher prices. This change affects models like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
Currently, the older M4 models of the Mac mini, Mac Studio, and iMac maintain their original prices, but this could shift with the new lineup.
For instance, the new M5 MacBook Air now offers 512GB of storage as standard, up from 256GB, but it comes with a $100 price bump. This is a win for many users. Previously, upgrading to 512GB cost an additional $200. So, if you needed that much storage, it’s essentially cheaper now.
The same goes for the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5. While it also sees a $100 increase, it now starts with 1TB of storage. If you previously opted for the 1TB upgrade, this change may feel like a better deal.
However, the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros present a different story. These models also feature 1TB storage as standard, but with a $200 price increase. Here, extra storage is included without any extra perks.
Apple hasn’t yet updated its desktop lineup, but changes are likely coming. Users can expect similar shifts in pricing and storage for upcoming models like the Mac mini, iMac, and Mac Studio.
Here’s what the new pricing may look like:
- iMac: from $1299 to $1399 with 512GB
- Mac mini: from $599 to $699 with 512GB
- Mac Studio: from $1999 to at least $2199 with 1TB
Many argue that 256GB is too little in today’s world. Paying a bit more for 512GB makes more sense. It avoids performance issues caused by running out of storage.
On the other hand, the Mac Studio situation remains mixed. The M5 Max MacBook Pro starts with 2TB storage, making it pricier than the previous M4 Max version. This raises questions about how much more the Mac Studio might cost in the future.
In summary, while these changes are speculative, they follow a trend in Apple’s recent adjustments. Surprisingly, Apple hasn’t altered its prices for unified memory, despite wider economic factors.
How do you feel about these price hikes alongside increased storage? Did you usually stick with the base storage?
