For years, rumors have pointed to Apple readying a redesigned MacBook Professional to launch between 2026 and 2027. With the newest studies suggesting Apple has pushed its replace to late 2026, a latest story by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman hints that Apple would possibly delay the introduction of this redesigned MacBook Professional as a result of upcoming M5 mannequin.
Whereas it was beforehand rumored to arrive round October or November of 2025, Gurman believes Apple would possibly unveil the brand new laptop computer in early 2026. He writes: “The corporate had been planning to launch new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professionals — code-named J714 and J716 — later this yr with M5 chips. However Apple is now internally focusing on a launch early subsequent yr, that means that the present MacBook Professional launch cycle could final somewhat longer than common.”
He doesn’t wish to say for positive that is going to occur, as “the timing stays fluid.” Nevertheless, even when Apple delays the M5 MacBook Professional announcement, this might really point out that the corporate is about to ship a redesign in the identical yr.
Apple’s schedule exhibits something is feasible
If we glance again on the MacBook Professional’s latest historical past, Apple has launched new Macs in the identical lineup inside a number of months of one another twice earlier than:
- 2020/2021: In November 2020, Apple launched the primary M1 MacBook Professional, adopted by the all-new M1 Professional and M1 Max MacBook Professional fashions in October of 2021.
- 2023: Apple launched the MacBook Professional with M2 Professional and M2 Max chips in January. Then, in October, it launched the M3 MacBook Professional household. No important design adjustments have been made.
Even when Apple releases the M5 MacBook Professional in early 2026, it doesn’t imply the corporate gained’t launch a redesigned mannequin later that yr. In spite of everything, Apple executives have beforehand mentioned that the corporate will launch new Macs and chips as quickly as they’re prepared.
As well as, whereas the M4 fashions have been marked upgrades over the earlier fashions, the M5 choices will seemingly be extra just like the jumps from M1 to M2 or M2 to M3.
Lastly, it’s vital to take note of that 2026 marks 20 years for the reason that first MacBook Professional launch. Since Apple celebrated the fifteenth anniversary in 2021, it’s solely pure to imagine it doesn’t wish to miss the celebration for the twentieth anniversary in 2026. Apple additionally celebrated the tenth birthday in 2016 with the MacBook Professional with Contact Bar.
What’s so particular concerning the redesigned MacBook Professional?
Whereas many consider the 2021 MacBook Professional redesign was excellent, the corporate desires to enhance the expertise in a number of areas. Right here’s what the rumors have advised up to now:
- Extremely-thin laptop computer: Apple desires to make its merchandise thinner. It began that pattern with the M4 iPad Professional, and later this yr, we’ll see the primary ultra-thin iPhone. In 2026, we expect to see an ultra-thin MacBook Professional as effectively.
- OLED show: Apple desires to ditch the miniLED on the MacBook in favor of an eighth technology OLED panel. This show will probably be much more superior than the one obtainable on the iPad Professional, which is taken into account top-of-the-line in the marketplace.
- Mobile connectivity: Rumors recommend Apple might add its upcoming C2 mobile modem to the Mac, narrowing the variations between the laptop computer and the iPad.
- Gap-punch FaceTime digicam: A report suggests Apple desires to take away the notch from the MacBook Professional and add a hole-punch lens. This might make the brand new digicam work like a smaller Dynamic Island, making it extra cohesive with the present iPhone fashions.
- Extra highly effective chip: The M6 chip is predicted to be the primary with a 2nm manufacturing course of. Smaller processors additionally make them extra highly effective, which continues to be extra vital as AI functions require extra horsepower than ever.
- Have a good time the tip of the Intel period: macOS 27, which is the software program anticipated to be shipped with this MacBook, gained’t help Intel Macs. That mentioned, Apple would possibly wish to mark the event as its strikes to solely utilizing its personal silicon.
BGR will let you recognize as soon as we study extra about Apple’s plans to launch this redesigned MacBook Professional, together with its potential launch date, options, and different particulars.
