Best deal for Apple fans as MacBook Pro and iPad Pro hit UK stores
The new M5 iPad Pro and MacBook Pro come at a high price, but there is a way to save some cash.
Apple announced new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro models recently, updating the hardware that powers them with the new M5 chip. The new M5 promises to boost the performance of devices with a bump in graphics performance and power for AI functions.
Perhaps more importantly, there are new MacBook and iPad models available. After a short period of pre-order, these are now available to buy from major retailers.
As with all new Apple devices, this new tech doesn't come cheap, but there could be a way to lower the cost. The iPad Pro M5 comes in two sizes, with the 11-inch model being the cheaper.
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The 11-inch iPad Pro M5 is £999 on Amazon, but it's also available at Currys for the same price. It's unlikely that there will be any discounts until well into 2026.
Choosing the 256GB model is naturally the most affordable, while those opting for the 13-inch model face prices starting at £1,299. If shoppers want to bring the price of the iPad Pro M5 down, then the best option is to look at trade-in options.
Apple's latest iPad offers more power and faster charging, with a slim design and stunning display.
Amazon, for example, offer over £370 for a 2024 iPad Pro (11in, 256GB), but Music Magpie is offering £500 for the same device. That will put cash into the shopper's account, a great way to save on a new purchase.
Of course, it's possible to trade-in directly with Apple and buy directly, but Apple won't give cash, instead, it'll put that trade-in value against the value of a new product. Meaning shoppers will have to buy something new.
The iPad Pro is Apple's top tablet, offering the best display on an iPad, with Face ID boosting the experience over other devices for seamless unlocking. For those using the iPad in bright conditions, there's the option for a "nano-texture glass" display that kills reflections, but it costs more.
While the performance gets a boost from the new chip, the biggest change is that it now supports faster charging at 60W, which means you can get 50% of the battery in 30 minutes.
iPad offers the best tablet experience thanks to the vibrant developer community and the optimised apps offered via the App Store, but if a new iPad looks too expensive, then there are other options. The iPad Pro M4 (256GB) currently has a small discount, with Amazon selling it at £849 - saving £150 off the launch price.
Shoppers wanting to save more might be interested in buying refurbished, with Amazon offering the iPad Pro (M2) for £709. This has been used and restored, but it offers much the same experience as the latest iPad Pro, but with less power, and fewer years remaining for software updates.
Apple's new MacBook promises greater power and performance, but again, it comes at quite a price. The cheapest M5 MacBook is the MacBook Pro 14in, which is £1,599 from Amazon. It's also available from Currys for the same price.
The MacBook Pro comes in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, but the 16-inch model is a whopping £2,499, rising to a staggering £3,499 when you tick all the options.
The M5 MacBook Pro gets a power update with increase graphics and AI handling, while maintaining the great battery life, OLED screen and slim aluminium body.
While the iPad gets a minor update with the new hardware, bringing faster charging speeds, the MacBook Pro M5 only gets the benefit of faster hardware compared to the MacBook Pro M4. That might mean there are fewer reasons to jump for the new model.
If shoppers think it’s too expensive, then the MacBook Pro M3 from 2023 can be snapped up for £940 on Amazon, a hefty £759 saving over the launch price.
For those looking for something more recent - and more powerful - the MacBook Pro M4 Pro has a £250 discount on Amazon, bringing it in at £1750.
Again, if you're looking to save some cash, then trading-in your old tech is a great place to start, so it's worth checking out the likes of Music Magpie to see how much it's worth.