Realistic expectations for upgrading from 2019 Intel MacBook Pro to MacBook Pro M5

Hi everyone !

I recently upgraded from a 2019 Intel-based 16-inch MacBook Pro to a new 16-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip.

After such a significant jump in technology, I expected a noticeably better overall experience. However, I have to admit that I've been rather underwhelmed so far.

Strangely enough, an older M1 MacBook Pro I've been using as a loaner while my M5 was being serviced actually feels more natural and familiar to me.

I've also experienced some unusual behaviour in Google Chrome and with Safari bookmarks, and even the trackpad on my M5 hasn't felt quite right. An Apple-authorized technician found no obvious hardware issues, and macOS has since been reinstalled. I'll be testing it again shortly.

My main question is: For those who have upgraded from an Intel-based MacBook Pro (2019 or older) to Apple Silicon, how noticeable was the difference in everyday use, responsiveness, and overall user experience?

I'm genuinely curious whether my expectations were too high, or whether my experience is unusual.

Thanks for any insights !

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Upgrading from a 2019 Intel MacBook Pro to an M5 Pro – what should I realistically expect?

Posted on Oct 26, 2026 10:31 AM

Top-ranking reply

steve626

Level 7

20,019 points

Posted on Oct 26, 2026 10:09 PM

PeerNorway wrote:

My main question is: For those who have upgraded from an Intel-based MacBook Pro (2019 or older) to Apple Silicon, how noticeable was the difference in everyday use, responsiveness, and overall user experience?

I have two comparisons.

My daughter was using a 2019 Macbook Pro 16" (Intel) since she acquired it new. She runs a photography business and makes heavy use of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. She accesses some TBs of image files (raw files and jpg files mostly) through external hard drives. I just set up a new (Dec 2025) M4 Max MacBook Pro for her. She has compared them side by side. The new Silicon Mac handles her most intensive image editing, conversion and exporting chores about ten times faster than the old one did. Both of these Macs are "cleanly set up" (by me), e.g. no "cleaner apps," no third party security, no VPN, no anti-virus. Also, external drive transfers (to the external storage drives, and for Time Machine and "clone" apps that are used daily) are much faster with the new Mac.

The second comparison is between a second Macbook Pro 2019 16" Intel (same model as above) and a new M5 Macbook Air just acquired last week. Both are also "cleanly set up" like the others. I don't have quantitative comparisons like my daughter but everything on the new M5 Macbook Air seems MUCH MUCH more responsive and nimble versus the 2019 Macbook Pro. Opening apps is instant, browsing is much faster, and notably the MS-365 apps (Excel, Word, Powerpoint) open instantly and also opening DMGs and installing software seems almost instant on the M5 MBA versus the 2019 MBP.

Keep in mind that memory and free disk space can impact these comparisons. The 2019 MBP has 16 GB RAM, the MBA M5 has 24 GB, the MBP M4 has 36 GB, and all these Macs have plenty of free disk space (200 GB+).

We also have an iMac 2021 M1 that my wife uses with 16 GB memory. It is noticeably faster than the 2019 Intel 16" MBP, but also is noticeably less responsive and slower than the M5 MBA 2026. I can't put it side by side with the M4 2025 MBP as that is in another location but the M4 MBP qualitatively was considerably faster than the M1 iMac.

If I were you, I would circle back and examine your setup. I suspect something installed or running in the background is causing this. And your M5 MBP is certainly faster than our 2025 MBP M4 Max.

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17 replies

PeerNorway Author

Level 1

18 points

Oct 29, 2026 2:04 PM in response to HWTech

Hi HWTech !

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for your detailed suggestions! I really appreciate it!

Just to clarify, I haven't connected any external devices, USB hubs, docks, other Apple products or adapters to my M5 Pro. I simply connected to my Wi-Fi network and went through the normal setup process, setting it up as a new Mac without using Migration Assistant.

My M5 has already been examined by an experienced Apple-authorized technician, who found no obvious hardware faults and subsequently reinstalled macOS.

Your suggestion about a DFU Firmware Restore is particularly interesting. I don't know whether the technician performed this or a regular macOS reinstall, but I'll certainly ask when I visit the store tomorrow.

One other thing worth mentioning: I've been experiencing these issues since shortly after purchasing the M5 Pro in late March 2026, several months before macOS Golden Gate was released in September. So Golden Gate wouldn't explain the problems I experienced from the beginning.

I also appreciate that you're considering the possibility of an unusual hardware issue, as that's something I've been concerned about since shortly after purchasing the Mac.

Tomorrow, I'll be comparing my M5 directly with an older M1 loaner, together with the store manager, to see whether the issues persist after the reinstall.

Thanks again for your help and insight!

Zurarczurx

Level 6

8,034 points

Oct 26, 2026 11:01 AM in response to etresoft

Yep - I forgot to mention that I'm still on Sequoia on the M2 and intend to stay on it until Apple finds a way to force or con me into updating.

Realistic expectations for upgrading from 2019 Intel MacBook Pro to MacBook Pro M5