When it comes to the high-stakes world of Apple prognostication, few voices carry as much weight as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. With a track record built on reliable insider sources, Gurman's weekly Power On newsletter is a must-read for anyone looking to glimpse into Apple's roadmap. In his latest dispatch, the analyst has painted a surprisingly detailed picture of what’s next for the Mac lineup, outlining a timeline for the arrival of new models powered by the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips.
While the base M5 chip made its debut in the updated MacBook Pro last week, the real story is about the wave of upgrades coming to the rest of the ecosystem throughout the coming year. From professional workhorses to consumer favorites, here’s a breakdown of what to expect and when.
MacBook Air: A Spring Refresh with a Focus on Silicon
The MacBook Air, often Apple's best-selling computer, is in line for a relatively straightforward update. Having just received the M4 chip earlier this year in a March update that also introduced new color options, the next iteration is already on the horizon.
According to Gurman, the M5-powered MacBook Air is slated for a release in the Spring of next year. For consumers, this update appears to be a spec-bump in the purest sense. The report suggests no major external design changes or new features are planned; the primary upgrade will be the leap from the M4 to the M5 system-on-a-chip (SoC). This follows the pattern of the recent update, which saw minimal changes outside of the new processor.
However, for those holding out for a more significant display upgrade, a separate report from MacRumors suggests a more substantial change is coming, just not immediately. The publication notes that an updated LCD display for the MacBook Air is expected as early as 2027, making the upcoming M5 model a solid performance upgrade but not a revolutionary one.
The Professional Powerhouses: M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro
The high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models were conspicuously absent from last week's M5 announcement, and for good reason. Gurman indicates that these professional laptops are being reserved for the more powerful variants of the M5 family.
The timeline points to the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips arriving in the first quarter of next year, potentially alongside the new MacBook Air. This launch window suggests a similar pattern to previous years, where Apple staggers its releases to maintain a steady stream of news and product launches. As detailed in a recent Bloomberg report, these high-end MacBook Pros are also testing with intriguing display technology, though it's unclear if that will be part of this specific update.
While the exact core counts and performance figures for the M5 Pro and Max remain under wraps, the architecture of the standard M5 provides a strong hint. The base M5 already features a substantially more powerful GPU compared to its M3 predecessor. It stands to reason that the Pro and Max versions will build upon this, offering commendable, if not staggering, improvements in graphics performance—a key selling point for developers, video editors, and 3D artists. Early glimpses of this potential were spotted when the Apple M5 chip made a stunning appearance on Geekbench, showcasing its raw power.
Completing the Ecosystem: Mac mini and the M5 Ultra Mac Studio
Once the Pro and Max chips are out in the wild, Apple will turn its attention to refreshing its desktop lineup. According to Gurman, both the Mac mini and the Mac Studio are in line for updates shortly after the high-end MacBook Pros debut.
The Mac mini, which currently tops out with an M4 chip, is expected to gain M5 Pro and M5 Max configuration options, maintaining its position as a incredibly powerful machine in a surprisingly small form factor.
The real excitement, however, is reserved for the Mac Studio. Currently, the most powerful Studio is equipped with the monstrous M3 Ultra SoC. Apple has previously confirmed that not every chip generation will receive an "Ultra" variant, and the M4 family notably skipped it. This strongly indicates that the next-generation Mac Studio will be powered by a new M5 Ultra chip.
This would be a significant leap for professionals requiring absolute maximum performance. For context, the power of the Ultra chip is immense, as demonstrated when Apple's M3 Ultra obliterates AMD and Intel competitors in early benchmarks. An M5 Ultra would likely continue this trend, solidifying the Mac Studio's position as a top-tier creative and scientific workstation.
The Bottom Line
Mark Gurman's latest insights provide a clear and exciting roadmap for Apple's Mac lineup through mid-2026. The strategy appears to be a methodical rollout: starting with the entry-level Pro, moving to the Air and high-end Pro laptops in the spring, and finally rounding out the lineup with the versatile Mac mini and the ultra-powerful Mac Studio. For consumers, this means there's a clear upgrade path on the horizon, whether you're a student looking for a current deal on a MacBook Air or a professional waiting for the ultimate power of the M5 Ultra.
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