If you’re holding out for the next leap in Apple laptop design, you might need to temper your expectations for 2025, but get excited for 2027. According to a fresh wave of reports from Bloomberg’s renowned Apple analyst, Mark Gurman, the tech giant’s product pipeline is taking shape, outlining a clear path from iterative updates to a significant Pro-level overhaul.
The immediate future belongs to the M5 chip, but the real game-changer is the M6-based MacBook Pro, which is shaping up to be the most significant redesign since the 2021 model reintroduced MagSafe and squared-off edges.
The 2026 Stopgap: M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro
For professionals and power users eagerly awaiting the next performance bump, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch new MacBook Pro models equipped with the next-generation M5 Pro and M5 Max processors in early 2026.
This update is positioned as a straightforward, "tick-tock" style refresh. The primary upgrade will be under the hood, with the new Apple Silicon delivering the expected gains in CPU and GPU performance, along to improvements in AI and machine learning capabilities thanks to an enhanced Neural Engine. However, if you were hoping for a new look, you may be disappointed. These M5-powered Pros are expected to retain the same beloved (or debated) design language, chassis, and mini-LED "Liquid Retina XDR" display as the current M3 and preceding M2 generations.
This strategic move allows Apple to maintain a steady cadence of performance upgrades while it focuses its engineering resources on a more substantial change waiting in the wings.
The Main Event: The M6 MacBook Pro Redesign
The report everyone is talking about points to a later, far more ambitious launch. According to Gurman’s latest insights, Apple is targeting a late 2026 to early 2027 release for a completely redesigned MacBook Pro, and this overhaul may be exclusive to the high-end models featuring the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.
What can we expect from this radical new machine? Based on Gurman's previous reporting from October 2025, the feature list is tantalizing:
- OLED Display: A shift from mini-LED to a stunning OLED panel would offer perfect blacks, incredibly high contrast ratios, and potentially even more vibrant colors—a holy grail for creative professionals.
- Touch Support: In a potential major philosophical shift, Apple is reportedly considering bringing touch support to macOS on its flagship laptops, a feature Windows users have enjoyed for years.
- Thinner Chassis: The new design is expected to shed some weight and thickness, following the trend set by the M4 iPad Pro.
- Dynamic Island & Goodbye, Notch: The familiar notch at the top of the screen is slated for removal, likely to be replaced by the Dynamic Island, better integrating the camera and sensors into the user experience.
By reserving this comprehensive redesign for the M6 Pro and M6 Max models, Apple creates a clearer tiered system. It drives a compelling reason for buyers to opt for the higher-end configurations, making the base model feel distinctly different from its more advanced siblings.
This kind of strategic differentiation is common in the industry. For instance, when looking at versatile 2-in-1 laptops, the Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 Gen 10 often distinguishes its premium features for its higher-tier models, offering a glimpse into how Apple might segment its future lineup.
The Wild Card: Apple’s Rumored Budget-Friendly Laptop
Beyond the Pro sphere, Gurman also briefly touched upon the much-rumored, affordable Apple laptop, codenamed J700. While no new details were shared in the latest report, this device continues to be a topic of intense speculation.
As covered in previous Bloomberg newsletters, this laptop is expected to be powered by a system-on-a-chip (SoC) derived from Apple’s iPhone processors. Remarkably, this mobile-derived chip is reportedly projected to deliver performance on par with the legendary Apple M1 chip, which still powers many capable machines today.
The real draw, however, will be its price. Rumors suggest Apple is targeting an aggressive price point of around $600. This would position the device as a direct competitor to popular mid-range Chromebooks and affordable Windows laptops, like the aforementioned Yoga 7, effectively creating a new "Chromebook-killing" category for Apple. For students and budget-conscious consumers locked into the Apple ecosystem, this could be the most accessible entry point in years.
As with all pre-release information, these plans are subject to change. For the most detailed and reliable Apple reporting, the primary source for this news is Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. For now, the roadmap is clear: expect powerful but familiar M5 machines soon, but save your excitement for the revolutionary, touch-enabled, OLED-equipped M6 MacBook Pro arriving in 2027.