Everything You Could Buy For Less Than A Brand New 16-inch M5 MacBook Pro

Apple’s latest 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro chip starts at £2,699. That is, before you even think about upgrading the storage or memory, which is where things usually start to escalate. But there is a more interesting way to look at that number.

Instead of putting all of that budget into a single machine, you could build an entire Apple setup around it. A proper, everyday setup that covers work, mobility, and everything in between. And you would still come in under the price of that one device.

Here is what that actually looks like in real terms when you shop refurbished!

MacBook Pro 14-inch

Three Thunderbolt 4 Ports, M5 10-core 16GB 512GB, Space Black
£1345

The first piece is the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD. At £1,345. On paper, it sits below the 16-inch model, but in practice, it delivers the same performance for most workloads. It is fast, responsive, and more than capable of handling day-to-day work, multitasking, and even more demanding creative tasks.

What tends to get overlooked is that for many users, the difference between the 14-inch and 16-inch models is not performance, but size. The 14-inch is lighter, easier to carry, and more practical for moving between locations. You are not stepping down in any meaningful way for most use cases. You are simply choosing a more balanced machine.

iPad Pro 11-inch

M4, 7th Gen, Wifi + Cellular, 256GB, Space Black
£625

Next, you add an 11-inch iPad Pro with the M4 chip, 256GB of storage, and both Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, priced at £625. Now the setup starts to change shape. Instead of trying to make one device do everything, you introduce a second device that does things the Mac cannot.

The iPad gives you an entirely different way to work with your chosen application in a different form factor, especially if you like to read, take notes, make quick edits, and work on the move. It also doubles as a second display when paired with the Mac, and people quickly become reliant on it once they have it. The addition of cellular support means you have your own mobile router and can tether your laptop too, making it far more useful in real-world situations. You’ll have your own mobile hotdesk.

iPhone Air

Unlocked, 256GB, Light Gold
£645

Then there is the iPhone Air, priced at £645 and with 256 GB of storage. The iPhone completes the setup. The device you’ll pick up every day, including weekends. Your messages, files, photos, and apps move seamlessly between devices, always available at a moment’s notice. Continuity features start to remove small bits of friction from everyday tasks.

Bring It All Together

When you total all three devices, the numbers are straightforward. £1,345 for the MacBook Pro, £625 for the iPad Pro, and £645 for the iPhone Air. That brings you to £2,615.

That is £84 less than the starting price of a brand new 16-inch M5 MacBook Pro. However, the bigger point here is not just about price. It is about how you frame value.

By stepping back, looking at the same budget differently, and shopping refurbished, you can end up with a setup that is more versatile and, in many cases, more useful day-to-day.

In this case, you are not compromising. You are simply choosing breadth over concentration. And you still have £84 left over.