You’re staring at the Apple Store tab. Your credit card is basically sweating.
Buying a laptop shouldn’t feel like a down payment on a house, but here we are. If you’re asking macbook pro how much does it cost in early 2026, the answer is rarely the number you see on the front page. Apple has a way of making "starts at" feel like a polite suggestion.
Between the new M5 chips, the lingering M4 deals, and the rumors of OLED screens that are probably going to cost a kidney, the pricing landscape is kind of a mess. Honestly, most people end up overpaying because they buy more power than they actually use.
Let's break down the real-world math.
The Baseline: What You’ll Actually Pay Today
If you want the newest of the new, you're looking at the M5 line. As of January 2026, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip starts at $1,599. That gets you a 10-core CPU and 16GB of unified memory.
Wait. 16GB?
Yeah, Apple finally realized 8GB was an insult in the age of AI. But here’s the kicker: if you want the 1TB storage upgrade, that price jumps to $1,799. If you bump the RAM to 24GB, you’re hitting $1,999.
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The 16-inch MacBook Pro is a different beast entirely. You cannot get this for less than $2,499. It starts with the M5 Pro chip, and while that big screen is gorgeous, you're paying a $900 premium over the base 14-inch just for more real estate and better cooling.
Don't Forget the "Pro" Suffix Tax
The base M5 is great for most. But if you're a video editor or an engineer, you're probably eyeing the M5 Pro or M5 Max. These are the configurations that make your bank account weep.
- M5 Pro (14-inch): Starts around $1,999.
- M5 Max (14-inch): Expect to shell out at least $3,199.
- M5 Max (16-inch): The "I have no budget" option, starting at $3,499 and easily clearing $7,000 if you max out the 128GB RAM and 8TB SSD.
Specific retailers like B&H Photo and Amazon are currently running "New Year" sales. You can often find the M5 14-inch for $1,399 if you catch the right Friday morning window.
The Refurbished Secret (And the M4 Value Play)
Why buy new? Seriously.
Apple’s refurbished store is the best-kept secret in tech. Right now, a refurbished 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro is sitting at roughly $1,269. That’s a $330 discount for a machine that is literally indistinguishable from a new one. Apple replaces the outer shell and the battery. You get the same one-year warranty.
If you are a student or a teacher, the Education Store is your best friend. The M5 14-inch drops to $1,499 there. Plus, during the "Back to School" months (usually June through September in the US), they usually toss in a $150 gift card or a pair of AirPods.
Why MacBook Pro How Much Does It Cost is a Tricky Question
The sticker price isn't the final price.
AppleCare+ is basically mandatory unless you live life on the edge. For a MacBook Pro, that’s another $249 to $399 depending on the model. Then there are the dongles. Even though the Pro has an HDMI port and an SD card slot, you'll probably still end up buying a $70 Thunderbolt dock or a fancy sleeve.
There's also the "OLED Rumor" overhang. Analysts like Ross Young and reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggest a massive redesign is coming late in 2026. This redesign is expected to feature Tandem OLED displays—the same tech in the high-end iPads.
If you buy an M5 now, will it feel obsolete in ten months? Probably not. But the price of the current models will likely crater once the OLED versions hit the shelves at an expected $200–$300 premium over current prices.
How to Get the Best Price Right Now
Stop looking at the Apple Store exclusively. It's the most expensive place to buy a Mac unless you're using a trade-in.
- Check MacPrices or AppleInsider: They track daily price drops across B&H, Adorama, and Amazon.
- The 24GB Rule: Don't buy 16GB if you plan to keep the laptop for more than four years. The $200 upgrade to 24GB or 36GB is the best "insurance" against your computer slowing down in 2028.
- Trade-ins: Apple is currently offering up to $800 for older M2 Pro models. It’s not as much as you’d get on eBay, but it’s zero-effort.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your RAM usage: Open "Activity Monitor" on your current computer. If your "Memory Pressure" graph is yellow or red, you must upgrade to at least 24GB.
- Compare Refurbished vs. Education: If you have a .edu email, check the Education Store first, then compare it to the Certified Refurbished section. Sometimes the refurbished M4 Pro is cheaper and more powerful than a brand-new base M5.
- Wait for the "Holiday Hangover" sales: If you can hold off until the end of February, retailers often dump stock that didn't sell during the Christmas rush.