M1 vs M5 MacBook: What Creative Beginners Really Need

If you’re just starting out with graphic design, photo editing or video work, choosing between an M1 MacBook and the new M5 MacBook can feel like a bigger decision than it needs to be. Apple’s marketing would have you believe you need the newest chip to get anything done, but that isn’t always the case for beginners.

In this post, we’ll look at what the M1 can genuinely handle, where it falls short, why the M5 MacBook is worth considering if you want longevity, and which models sit nicely in between for anyone with a bit more budget to play with.

The M1 MacBook

What the M1 MacBook can actually handle

Released back in 2020, the M1 was the chip that changed how people thought about Apple devices, and for good reason. Even in 2026, the M1 chip is still genuinely capable for anyone learning the ropes of creative work. Editing photos in Lightroom, working through layered documents in Photoshop or Affinity Photo, cutting together short clips in iMovie or Final Cut Pro and using apps like Affinity or Canva all run smoothly on an M1 MacBook Air or Pro.

For students and hobbyists, the M1’s combination of a fanless design (on the Air), long battery life and quiet, efficient performance makes it a decent starting point. It’s also considerably more affordable than newer generations, particularly when bought refurbished, which means more of your budget can go towards accessories instead of the processor itself.

Where the M1 starts to show its limits

Whilst an M1 MacBook is still a good device, it isn’t without its restrictions, and it’s worth being upfront about them. Its unified memory tops out at 16GB, which can feel tight if you’re working with large RAW files, multiple layers, or exporting 4K video regularly. Multitasking between several creative apps at once or running heavier plugins and filters is where the M1 begins to slow down compared to newer Apple Silicon chips.

It also has fewer GPU cores than the M-series chips that followed it, so tasks like 3D rendering, colour grading or working with high-resolution video timelines will take noticeably longer. For a beginner doing occasional edits, this rarely gets in the way. For someone building toward more demanding creative work, it’s a limitation worth knowing about before you buy.

The M5 MacBook

Why the M5 MacBook is the more future-proofed choice

The M5 brings a real step up in graphics performance, memory bandwidth and machine learning capability, all of which matter more and more as creative software leans further into AI-assisted tools like generative fill, smart masking and upscaling. If you’re planning to grow into more advanced software, work with larger files or simply want a MacBook that ensures you won’t need to upgrade for years to come, the M5 gives you that headroom.

It’s also worth factoring in software support. Apple typically supports Macs with major macOS updates for around seven years, and newer Apple Silicon models tend to receive support for even longer. Choosing an M5 MacBook now means you’re less likely to feel the pinch of ageing hardware halfway through your creative journey.

That said, “future-proofed” doesn’t automatically mean “essential”. If your current workload sits comfortably within what the M1 can manage, paying a premium for headroom you may not use for years isn’t necessarily the smartest way to spend your budget as a beginner.

Finding the middle ground: alternative MacBooks for creatives

Not every creative beginner needs to choose between the oldest and newest chip on the market. If the M1 feels a little underpowered but a brand-new M5 MacBook is out of your budget, there’s a solid middle ground worth considering.

M2 and M3 MacBooks offer a noticeable jump in GPU performance and memory bandwidth over the M1, whilst still being more budget-friendly than the latest generation, especially when bought refurbished.

M4 MacBooks, particularly the Pro models, are a great option if you’re doing more involved photo editing, illustration or video work and want extra GPU cores and memory options without stretching to M5 pricing.

MacBook Pro vs MacBook Air

You also need to think about whether you want a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air alongside chip generation.

The MacBook Air suits lighter creative work and portability, whilst the MacBook Pro’s better cooling and brighter display make it a better fit for longer editing sessions or colour-sensitive work.

It’s also worth noting that the MacBook Pro offers a wider range of display sizes, going up to a huge 16-inch display.

Buying a refurbished MacBook Pro or MacBook Air means you can access any of these generations at a lower price point than buying new, without compromising on reliability, since every device is fully tested before it reaches you and is covered by our warranty.

Making the right choice for your creative work

There isn’t a single right answer here, and that’s the point. An M1 MacBook is genuinely capable for most beginner-level creative tasks, and it remains one of the best value entry points into Apple devices. The M5 MacBook is the stronger long-term choice if you want performance headroom and the reassurance of years of future software support, but it isn’t a necessity for everyone starting out. For many creative beginners, a refurbished M2, M3 or M4 model offers the best balance between capability and cost.

Whichever generation suits your workload and budget, buying refurbished lets you get more MacBook for your money.

Not sure which MacBook you need? Chat to our friendly support team who will be happy to help you decide which one is right for your needs.