Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro vs MSI Cyborg 15
The Verdict
The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro and MSI Cyborg 15 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The MSI Cyborg 15 is the cheaper of the two at $799 versus $1,999, a difference of about $1,200. The Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro stands out for m5 pro: 18-core cpu with super cores, 4x ai performance vs m4, while MSI Cyborg 15 is praised for rtx 4050 laptop gpu at $799 is excellent entry-level gaming value. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro if…
- →M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- →Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- →Up to 24 hours battery life
Buy the MSI Cyborg 15 if…
- →RTX 4050 Laptop GPU at $799 is excellent entry-level gaming value
- →Unique translucent chassis design stands out visually
- →Lighter than most gaming laptops at 4.19 lbs
Pros & Cons
Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro
Pros
- M5 Pro: 18-core CPU with super cores, 4x AI performance vs M4
- Thunderbolt 5 connectivity
- Up to 24 hours battery life
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip
- Starts at 1TB storage
Cons
- $1999 starting price
- No touchscreen
- Non-upgradable RAM and storage
MSI Cyborg 15
Pros
- RTX 4050 Laptop GPU at $799 is excellent entry-level gaming value
- Unique translucent chassis design stands out visually
- Lighter than most gaming laptops at 4.19 lbs
- 144Hz display is smooth for competitive multiplayer games
- Expandable M.2 slot for storage upgrades
Cons
- 250-nit display is too dim for bright environments
- 53.5 Wh battery delivers only 3-4 hours of real use
- 12th-gen processor is one generation behind at launch
- Plastic build feels flimsy under pressure
- Speaker quality is mediocre — external audio recommended
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple MacBook Pro 14" M5 Pro | MSI Cyborg 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | macOS 17 | Windows 11 Home |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 1.55 kg | 4.19 lbs (1.9 kg) |
| Material | Recycled aluminum | Plastic (translucent design) |
| Dimensions | 15.5 x 22.1 x 1.55 cm | 14.09 x 9.95 x 0.88 inches |
| Ports | ||
| HDMI | 1 | |
| SD card | ||
| MagSafe | — | |
| Thunderbolt ports | 3 | — |
| USB-A ports | — | 2 |
| USB-C ports | — | 1 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 24 hours | Up to 5 hours |
| Capacity | 72.4 Wh | 53.5 Wh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.2 inches | 15.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina XDR, nano-texture option | IPS |
| Resolution | 3024 x 1964 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 250 |
| Storage | ||
| SSD | 1 TB / 2 TB / 4 TB | 512 GB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Keyboard | ||
| Backlit | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 24 GB / 48 GB | 16 GB DDR5 |
| Cores | 18 cores (6 super + 12 performance) | 10 cores (6P + 4E) |
| Chipset | Apple M5 Pro (18-core CPU, 20-core GPU) | Intel Core i7-12650H (12th Gen) |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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