16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Max, 18-core CPU, 32-core GPU, 36GB RAM, 2TB SSD)
Last checked: 3 Nov 2026Official price. Marketplaces may be cheaper.
Search results may include other configurations. Check the specs before buying.
Pick Score by Use Case
Deterministic: real benchmarks, no AI opinionHow this laptop scores when the weighting matches what you’ll use it for.
Pick Score 75 out of 100 for Creative Work.Top contributing factors: GPU, CPU, RAM & Storage.
Faster graphics than 92% of laptops in the catalogue. Apple Silicon GPU — PassMark has no ARM entries, so this is the closest non-Apple laptop GPU on a benchmark both have run
Faster CPU than 96% of laptops in the catalogue
More memory and storage than about 94% of the catalogue
Bigger battery than 99% of laptops in the catalogue
Not scored: no screen size preference without the Needs Wizard, so every laptop gets a neutral 50
Lighter than 18% of laptops in the catalogue
Not scored: no brand preference without the Needs Wizard, so every laptop gets a neutral 50
Cheaper than 6% of laptops in the catalogue
CPU and GPU benchmarks last updated: Nov 2026
Each factor is scored 0-100 against the PickWise catalogue; the weight is how much it counts toward this use case. Sorted by contribution.
Full Specifications
Processor & AI
Apple M5 Max (18-core)
Graphics
32-core GPU
Apple
Display
16.2" Liquid Retina XDR display
3456x2234 · 120Hz · 1000 nits
Memory & Storage
36GB Unified Memory
Not upgradable · up to 36GB
Battery & Portability
100Wh
140W USB-C Power Adapter, USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable (2m)
Connectivity & Ports
Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 6
Keyboard, Audio & Camera
Security & Build
Software & Warranty
What Reviewers Say
From 2 video reviews · each point links to the moment in the video
No reviews of this exact configuration yet. These come from other configurations of the same laptop, and each point names the configuration it was tested on.
Strengths
- The reviewer recommends the base M5 Pro model for most users, including programmers and light creators, while suggesting the Max versions only for those handling heavy workloads like 3D rendering or AI development.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 17:21 →
- The reviewer highly praises the M5 Max for its exceptional performance, speed, and portability compared to gaming laptops, though they note it is unsuitable for AAA gaming, Linux, or those needing a touchscreen.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 16:39 →
- The reviewer discusses how previously expensive custom storage upgrades for MacBooks are now more accessible through retail models and price-tracking tools.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 15:13 →
- The reviewer finds the MacBook Pro 16 for light tasks to be fast, quiet, and cool, though they believe the storage speed increase is negligible for most users.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 13:03 →
- The reviewer is impressed that the M4 Max MacBook Pro remains cool to the touch even under heavy CPU load, noting that Apple's cooling solution is effective without increasing fan noise.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 11:35 →
Watch Out For
- The reviewer finds the MacBook Pro 16's edges too sharp and the notch too large, though they believe the pricing is fair given the increased base storage.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 14:30 →
- The reviewer is disappointed that the MacBook Pro 16's Wi-Fi 7 implementation is limited and that the laptop's weight is becoming excessive compared to newer competitors.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 13:46 →
- The reviewer notes that the 14-inch MacBook Pro, especially with the M5 Max chip, becomes very hot to the touch under load because Apple prioritizes silence over cooling. They also mention that high power mode provides a performance boost in Cinebench but not in Premiere Pro or Blender.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 12:19 →
- The reviewer notes that the M5 generation shows no improvement in CPU power efficiency and that the larger MacBook Pro 16 provides diminishing returns on performance gains from increased power draw.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 10:07 →
- The reviewer notes that AAA gaming on MacBooks is poorly optimized and generally inadequate, despite some better performance in specific benchmarks.Tested on 16-inch MacBook Pro Liquid Retina XDR (M5 Pro, 18-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD)JJust Josh · MacBook Pro 16 M5 Pro & Max: Is This Too Much Power? · Watch at 7:13 →