Apple
iMac 24 M5 · 32GB
M5 · 32GB
92
/ 100
From $1,699
VS
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB wins by 6
Apple
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB
M5 Max · 128GB
98
/ 100
From $4,699
Specdex verdict
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iMac 24 M5 · 32GB lands at 92 and MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB at 98. That puts MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iMac 24 M5 · 32GB if…
- ✓M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- ✓Larger unified memory ceiling
- ✓Improved ray-tracing iGPU
Pick MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB if…
- ✓M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- ✓Larger unified memory ceiling
- ✓Improved ray-tracing iGPU
iMac 24 M5 · 32GB 92
vs 98 MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB
Score breakdown
iMac 24 M5 · 32GB
92 cpu 92
gpu 90
display 92
battery 96
portability 90
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB
98 cpu 98
gpu 96
display 92
battery 96
portability 90
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iMac 24 M5 · 32GB | MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M5 | M5 Max |
| RAM | 32GB | ▲ 128GB |
| Release year | 2025 | 2025 |
| OS | macOS 16 | macOS 16 |
iMac 24 M5 · 32GB
Pros
- +M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- +Larger unified memory ceiling
- +Improved ray-tracing iGPU
Cons
- −macOS-only
- −Memory non-upgradable
- −High-end configs expensive
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB
Pros
- +M5 generation perf-per-watt leader
- +Larger unified memory ceiling
- +Improved ray-tracing iGPU
Cons
- −macOS-only
- −Memory non-upgradable
- −High-end configs expensive
FAQ: iMac 24 M5 · 32GB vs MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB
Which is better, iMac 24 M5 · 32GB or MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB? +
MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB scores 98 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iMac 24 M5 · 32GB worth the price? +
At $1,699, iMac 24 M5 · 32GB delivers a Specdex score of 92 — strongest in battery.
Is MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB worth the price? +
At $4,699, MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB delivers a Specdex score of 98 — strongest in cpu.
Does iMac 24 M5 · 32GB or MacBook Pro 16 M5 Max · 128GB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.