MacBook Pro M5 Max: local AI test and review
The Apple laptop with up to 128 GB for local AI. Let's look at what matters for running LLMs locally : memory, bandwidth, speed, price—and who it's (or isn't) the right purchase for.
Updated on 09/10/2026
Where to buy it
The button configuration is the one offered for purchase. On mini PCs, keep some memory available for the system and check the inference engine; macOS/MLX and CUDA are not interchangeable.
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Technical specifications
- Memory36 GB (32-core GPU) to 128 GB unified (40-core GPU)
- Bandwidth460 GB/s (32-core GPU) · 614 GB/s (40-core GPU)
- ComputeApple M5 Max, 18-core CPU (6 efficiency + 12 performance), Neural Accelerators per GPU core
- Power consumptionPortable (battery-powered)
- Indicative pricestarting at €4,199 (36 GB / 32-core GPU); 48–128 GB with a 40-core GPU (BTO Apple)
- Largest model36 GB: 30B class in Q4; 64 GB: 70B in Q4; 128 GB: 70B comfortably + large MoE (614 GB/s: ~15-25 tok/s on 70B in MLX)
Who is it for?
Advantages and limitations
✓ Strengths
- Up to 128 GB of unified memory in a laptop
- 614 GB/s on a 40-core GPU—the best mobile bandwidth on the market
- Neural Accelerators: significantly faster prefilling than the M4 Max
- A 70B locally, on the go, on battery
✗ Limitations
- Expensive: the 128 GB configuration (BTO) exceeds €5,000 by a wide margin
- The entry-level 36 GB (460 GB/s) tops out at the 30B class
- For a fixed workstation, a Mac Studio or a 128 GB mini PC offers more memory per euro
Verdict
Frequently asked questions
Can the MacBook Pro M5 Max run a 70B LLM locally?
36 GB: 30B-class in Q4; 64 GB: 70B in Q4; 128 GB: 70B comfortably + large MoE (614 GB/s: ~15–25 tok/s on 70B in MLX).
How much does the MacBook Pro M5 Max cost?
Starting at €4,199 (36 GB / 32-core GPU); 48–128 GB on a 40-core GPU (BTO Apple) (starting at ≈ $3,999). Prices change quickly—check the current price through the purchase links.
Who is the MacBook Pro M5 Max for?
Run large models on the go on macOS.
Go further
Prices in euros (€) are French market prices including VAT, checked by QuelLLM. US prices differ: the Amazon buttons show the current US price.