391 - M5 Everywhere: iPad Pro, Vision Pro, and the 14-inch MacBook Pro

The latest In Touch With iOS with Dave he is joined by Jill McKinley, Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, Eric Bolden, Marty Jencius, Ben Roethig. covers Apple's new Vision Pro M5, iPad Pro M5, and MacBook Pro M5, along with reactions to the Apple TV rebrand, AirPods Pro 3 inflight experiences, and iOS 26.1 beta updates. The panel debates upgrade value, trade-ins, and Apple's AI direction—while delivering laughs about blood-test preorders, "no-good sons," and iPads that go "womp-womp." The show notes are at InTouchwithiOS.com Direct Link to Audio Links to our Show Give us a review on Apple Podcasts! CLICK HERE we would really appreciate it! Click this link Buy me a Coffee to support the show we would really appreciate it. intouchwithios.com/coffee Another way to support the show is to become a Patreon member patreon.com/intouchwithios Website: In Touch With iOS YouTube Channel In Touch with iOS Magazine on Flipboard Facebook Page BlueSky Mastodon X Instagram Threads Summary In Episode 391 of In Touch With iOS, host David Ginsburg welcomes Jill McKinley, Marty Jencius, Jeff Gamet, Chuck Joiner, Eric Bolden, and Ben Roethig to unpack Apple's October announcements—and crack a few jokes along the way. The panel dives into the launch of the Vision Pro M5, iPad Pro M5, and 14-inch MacBook Pro M5, exploring how Apple's latest chip is showing up everywhere—from spatial computing to creative workflows. Marty admits to pre-ordering the new Vision Pro while having blood drawn, leading to the episode's funniest moment ("They took my blood, I gave Apple my money"). Jeff immediately volunteers to be Marty's "no-good son" to inherit the old headset, sparking laughter about "device reallocation" policies. Discussion turns to the Vision Pro's new dual-knit band and Hover headset accessory, which redistributes weight to the crown of the head. Dave likens it to "flipping up granny sunglasses," while Ben compares it to wearing "night-vision goggles." Chuck's wise counsel: "Wait for the M5 Pro—patience beats payment." MacBook Pro M5 specs are examined in detail—10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 24-hour battery life (cue the joke: "if you never touch it"), and no Wi-Fi 7 support. Marty shares his "trade-up philosophy" while Jeff laments his $800 trade-in offer: "It lost that much value that fast?" Chuck recommends Apple's refurb store, calling it "the best deal Apple doesn't advertise." The crew also explores the iPad Pro M5, agreeing that performance gains are meaningful but most users won't need to upgrade. Jill admits her iPad mostly serves as a "sleep-aid game console," while Eric says Vision Pro has cut into his tablet use entirely. Other highlights: • Vision Pro M5's 120 Hz refresh rate and better cooling. • No Wi-Fi 6E bump—for $3,500, that drew audible groans. • AI readiness of the M5 chip sparks debate on whether Apple even has an "AI strategy." • Apple TV's rebranding from "TV+" to "Apple TV," which the panel calls "peak confusion." • AirPods Pro 3 flight test: Marty's seal so tight it caused ear "pop-pop-pop" moments, while Dave says noise-canceling on planes "kills all sound, including your will to chat." Topics and Links Breaking News Apple Debuts New iPad Pro With M5 Chip, Faster Charging, and More Apple Announces New 14-Inch MacBook Pro With M5 Chip Apple Updates Vision Pro With M5 Chip, Dual Knit Band, and 120Hz Support Here's Everything Apple Announced Today In Touch With Vision Pro this week. visionOS 26.1 Beta 3 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation Apple Updates Vision Pro With M5 Chip, Dual Knit Band, and 120Hz Support 🧠 Apple Vision Pro: M2 vs. M5 Comparison Apple Vision Pro - Technical Specifications Overview The Vision Pro M5 refines Apple's first-generation spatial computer powered by the M2 chip. While maintaining the same physical design and R1 co-processor, the M5 version delivers faster performance, a higher refresh-rate display, longer battery life, and a more comfortable headband. It's an evolutionary update rather than a redesign, aimed at smoother visuals and greater efficiency. ⚙️ Key Feature Comparison Feature Vision Pro (M2) Vision Pro (M5) Chip & Architecture Apple M2 (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) Apple M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) Memory Bandwidth 100 GB/s 153 GB/s Display & Rendering Up to 100 Hz refresh rate Up to 120 Hz refresh rate with improved clarity Performance Excellent for visionOS apps and multitasking Up to 50% faster in system and AI operations Battery Life ≈ 2 hours general use, 2.5 hours video playback ≈ 2.5 hours general use, 3 hours video playback Headband / Fit Solo Knit or Dual Loop Band New Dual Knit Band with improved comfort and balance Design & Weight 600–650 g (excluding battery) 750–800 g, same external design Storage Options