MacBook Pro 14" (M5) for local AI.
With 32 GB it runs Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB). 62 models fit. Published speed: gpt-oss-20b at 48.7 tokens/sec.
Memory16 / 24 / 32 GB
Shared between CPU and graphics.
Bandwidth153 GB/s
Higher means faster answers.
PriceFrom about $1,999
As of 2026-10-15. Check before buying.
By memory option.
| Memory | Usable | Models that fit | Best three |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 GB | 12 GB | 38 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) |
| 24 GB | 18 GB | 45 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) |
| 32 GB | 24 GB | 62 | Qwen3.8 27B (22.7 GB), Qwen3.5 27B (21.5 GB), Qwen3.6 27B (21.5 GB) |
Published speeds.
Measured by others, with sources. Not our tests.
| Model | Tokens/sec | Engine | Setup | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gpt-oss-20b | 48.7 | oMLX v0.3.8 · MXFP4 (MLX) | M5 10-core GPU, 32GB | community-measured · 2026-10-15 |
Short answers.
- What is the best local LLM for the MacBook Pro 14" (M5)?
- With 32 GB, Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB, AA 33.7). 62 of 124 models fit. With 16 GB: K2 Horizon 7B.
- How fast is the MacBook Pro 14" (M5) for local AI?
- Published: gpt-oss-20b at 48.7 tokens/sec (oMLX v0.3.8, M5 10-core GPU, 32GB). These are other people's measurements, not ours.
- How much does the MacBook Pro 14" (M5) cost?
- From about $1,999 (as of 2026-10-15). 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage; check before buying.
Specs from Apple – MacBook Pro tech specs (2026-10-15). Prices are approximate and dated; 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage.
# MacBook Pro 14" (M5) for local AI URL: https://insidethemachine.ai/machines/macbook-pro-14-m5 Type: Mac laptop. Chip: M5 (10-core GPU). Memory: unified, options 16, 24, 32 GB. Bandwidth: 153 GB/s. Spec source: https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/specs/ (2026-10-15). Price: from about $1,999 (2026-10-15, approximate). Status: current. ## Which models fit | memory GB | usable GB | models that fit | best 3 | |---|---|---|---| | 16 | 12 | 38 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) | | 24 | 18 | 45 | K2 Horizon 7B (8.6 GB), Gemma 4 12B (11.2 GB), Qwen3.5 9B (9.6 GB) | | 32 | 24 | 62 | Qwen3.8 27B (22.7 GB), Qwen3.5 27B (21.5 GB), Qwen3.6 27B (21.5 GB) | ## Published speeds (not our tests) - gpt-oss-20b: 48.7 tok/s decode, 1068 tok/s prompt (oMLX v0.3.8, MXFP4 (MLX), M5 10-core GPU, 32GB, community-measured) https://omlx.ai/benchmarks/performance/xns0rgnb (2026-10-15) Notes: tok/s row was measured on an M5 (10c) 32GB; device type not stated by oMLX. ## Questions **What is the best local LLM for the MacBook Pro 14" (M5)?** With 32 GB, Qwen3.8 27B (needs 22.7 GB, AA 33.7). 62 of 124 models fit. With 16 GB: K2 Horizon 7B. **How fast is the MacBook Pro 14" (M5) for local AI?** Published: gpt-oss-20b at 48.7 tokens/sec (oMLX v0.3.8, M5 10-core GPU, 32GB). These are other people's measurements, not ours. **How much does the MacBook Pro 14" (M5) cost?** From about $1,999 (as of 2026-10-15). 2026 prices are inflated by the memory-chip shortage; check before buying.