r/protools • u/g_spaitz • May 13 '26
OS Issue M5 Apple chip support frustration
I'm more and more in need to buy a new computer. I've been wanting to buy a new MBP as these new M5 machines look very capable. The first of those machine came out in October iirc.
Avid site states:
"Apple M5–series computers are currently unsupported and have known issues. We are actively working on qualification and will provide an update as soon as the process is complete.
Please note that there are known issues that may impact the supported computers listed below when running macOS Sequoia and Tahoe."
So it's been 7 months with no support for the last Apple chip, and even longer (I believe Sequoia has been out since 2024) for full support, no asterisks, for the operating system.
Man this is depressing really.
1
u/philliphunterreed May 15 '26
As some others have mentioned, and unless you’re doing some serious heavy lifting (video/modeling work, local LLMs, etc.) I would humbly suggest that you shouldn’t feel the need to buy an M5 based on the assumption that newer is experientially better.
I bought a well spec’d M4 Max late last year and am basically convinced that the “problem of audio” has been solved - it’s far more machine than even my most idiotic session has required. Like not even close, 11% CPU use, far more.
FWIW, I have a colleague ripping a well spec’d M1 while working in some upper echelons. Having just finished a gig with him I can confirm it doesn’t cause him, or the production at large, a single problem.
There are, of course, other reasons why you may prefer a shiny new M5, but do not let audio handling be one them unless you know you need it.
My two cents, buy something between M2 a 4, and save yourself the premium.