Powered by the new Apple M5 chip with a faster CPU, unified memory, powerful Neural Engine, and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators.
Built for Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system designed to help you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections.
Features a 13.6" Liquid Retina Display for a vibrant and immersive viewing experience.
Equipped with a 12MP Center Stage Camera to keep you perfectly framed during video calls.
Includes Touch ID for secure authentication and Wi-Fi 7 for blazing-fast wireless connectivity.
Provides all-day performance with up to 18 hours of battery life.
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Powered by the new Apple M5 chip with a faster CPU, unified memory, powerful Neural Engine, and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators.
Built for Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system designed to help you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections.
Features a 13.6" Liquid Retina Display for a vibrant and immersive viewing experience.
Equipped with a 12MP Center Stage Camera to keep you perfectly framed during video calls.
Includes Touch ID for secure authentication and Wi-Fi 7 for blazing-fast wireless connectivity.
Provides all-day performance with up to 18 hours of battery life.
I am a Windows user, I don't use iPhones. Is this laptop good for me? Anyone managed to switch?
I just bought a used 2021 Macbook Pro 16 M1 Pro 16GB RAM (lower performing than the M5 in this) but has a much nicer screen (1600 nits mini led 120Hz screen) to replace a 14" ASUS Vivobook S with a 120Hz oled screen, i7 12700H, 16GB of RAM. Windows ran horrible on the ASUS ever from the start, always dropping frames in everything I did (even when opening the start menu) and seemingly dropping more frames than not when watching HDR videos on youtube. I've ran ChromeOS Flex on it and that hardly drops frames. All that is to say that MacOS easily runs much better than Windows, but there is a learning curve and some frustrations with how Apple does things but you will appreciate the better hardware (trackpad and speakers) and how it's just better than what Windows has become. Oh, and battery life will be much better too.
I am a Windows user, I don't use iPhones. Is this laptop good for me? Anyone managed to switch?
Speakers and zoom quality much better. Price premium over windows is less than it used to be.. Most people are better off sticking to what they are used too. If you game then windows is king.
I just bought a used 2021 Macbook Pro 16 M1 Pro 16GB RAM (lower performing than the M5 in this) but has a much nicer screen (1600 nits mini led 120Hz screen) to replace a 14" ASUS Vivobook S with a 120Hz oled screen, i7 12700H, 16GB of RAM. Windows ran horrible on the ASUS ever from the start, always dropping frames in everything I did (even when opening the start menu) and seemingly dropping more frames than not when watching HDR videos on youtube. I've ran ChromeOS Flex on it and that hardly drops frames. All that is to say that MacOS easily runs much better than Windows, but there is a learning curve and some frustrations with how Apple does things but you will appreciate the better hardware (trackpad and speakers) and how it's just better than what Windows has become. Oh, and battery life will be much better too.
I was thinking between Asus zenbook s 3k oled and the mac ..
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i never buy expensive tech from amazon despite amazing prices. like phones, laptops, TVs. due to return fraud, warranty etc. but with tech prices getting stupid, im now seriously considering amazon as a source. just dont like all the horror stories i read about trying to return a brick but account frozen/banned etc.
anyone with good/bad experience buying expensive tech products from amazon? especially apple?
also, ive noticed amazon product details are always questionable and unsure of accuracy. im looking at this config 24GB RAM | 1TB SSD $1349. but pretty sure that config only comes w/ M5 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine vs M5 10 / 8 / 16 but page is never clear. altho this exact config + price is offered at best buy so prob will just buy there. much safe bet.
I am a Windows user, I don't use iPhones. Is this laptop good for me? Anyone managed to switch?
im also windows google android. + im an apple hater.
but with current tech prices like RAM, RTX and AI LLM compute, u can no longer afford to be on an island. u have to run both. i now also use mac + iphone. apple users will always be just apple. however, someone like u, u can do both and use both even w/ bias. prices used to be crazy w/ apple vs PC but its no longer true. esp w/ mac neo. we are now at a point u cant deny apple silicon. u have to recognize whos a beast.
Last edited by GundamWing01 May 22, 2026 at 03:35 PM.
Got the 13" M5 air base model from Costco for same price 949 early this month on sale, and I love it, It's a great machine, and compliments my iPhone like a dream. iCloud syncing, password keychain, messaging and FaceTime.
Costco automatically extends Apple's warranty by one year as well.
I just bought a used 2021 Macbook Pro 16 M1 Pro 16GB RAM (lower performing than the M5 in this) but has a much nicer screen (1600 nits mini led 120Hz screen) to replace a 14" ASUS Vivobook S with a 120Hz oled screen, i7 12700H, 16GB of RAM. Windows ran horrible on the ASUS ever from the start, always dropping frames in everything I did (even when opening the start menu) and seemingly dropping more frames than not when watching HDR videos on youtube. I've ran ChromeOS Flex on it and that hardly drops frames. All that is to say that MacOS easily runs much better than Windows, but there is a learning curve and some frustrations with how Apple does things but you will appreciate the better hardware (trackpad and speakers) and how it's just better than what Windows has become. Oh, and battery life will be much better too.
I just bought a used 2021 Macbook Pro 16 M1 Pro 16GB RAM (lower performing than the M5 in this) but has a much nicer screen (1600 nits mini led 120Hz screen) to replace a 14" ASUS Vivobook S with a 120Hz oled screen, i7 12700H, 16GB of RAM. Windows ran horrible on the ASUS ever from the start, always dropping frames in everything I did (even when opening the start menu) and seemingly dropping more frames than not when watching HDR videos on youtube. I've ran ChromeOS Flex on it and that hardly drops frames. All that is to say that MacOS easily runs much better than Windows, but there is a learning curve and some frustrations with how Apple does things but you will appreciate the better hardware (trackpad and speakers) and how it's just better than what Windows has become. Oh, and battery life will be much better too.
Nice writeup Tim!
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Sky Blue [amazon.com]
Silver [amazon.com]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GR1493ZV
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You'll either love the Mac way of things or you'll hate it.
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anyone with good/bad experience buying expensive tech products from amazon? especially apple?
also, ive noticed amazon product details are always questionable and unsure of accuracy. im looking at this config 24GB RAM | 1TB SSD $1349. but pretty sure that config only comes w/ M5 10‑core CPU, 10‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine vs M5 10 / 8 / 16 but page is never clear. altho this exact config + price is offered at best buy so prob will just buy there. much safe bet.
what do you guys think?
but with current tech prices like RAM, RTX and AI LLM compute, u can no longer afford to be on an island. u have to run both. i now also use mac + iphone. apple users will always be just apple. however, someone like u, u can do both and use both even w/ bias. prices used to be crazy w/ apple vs PC but its no longer true. esp w/ mac neo. we are now at a point u cant deny apple silicon. u have to recognize whos a beast.
Costco automatically extends Apple's warranty by one year as well.
People use their computers for many different things, some laptops are better for different use-cases.
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I just bought a used 2021 Macbook Pro 16 M1 Pro 16GB RAM (lower performing than the M5 in this) but has a much nicer screen (1600 nits mini led 120Hz screen) to replace a 14" ASUS Vivobook S with a 120Hz oled screen, i7 12700H, 16GB of RAM. Windows ran horrible on the ASUS ever from the start, always dropping frames in everything I did (even when opening the start menu) and seemingly dropping more frames than not when watching HDR videos on youtube. I've ran ChromeOS Flex on it and that hardly drops frames. All that is to say that MacOS easily runs much better than Windows, but there is a learning curve and some frustrations with how Apple does things but you will appreciate the better hardware (trackpad and speakers) and how it's just better than what Windows has become. Oh, and battery life will be much better too.
Join The Conversation
Share your experience with the Slickdeals community
Share information with the community. Please follow our Community Guidelines and be kind!