- We just got a new info dump about Apple’s incoming Macs
- That includes the claim that the MacBook OLED could be on track for a debut later this year, and that it’s now being tested with macOS 27.1
- The laptop would have M5 Pro and Max chips, with a follow-up potentially coming as early as late 2027 with the M7 Pro and Max
Apple plans to launch a slew of new Macs over the next few years, and in case you were wondering about the MacBook OLED, this laptop is apparently still on target for a possible launch later this year.
Mark Gurman spilled a whole bunch of info and updates in a Bloomberg report detailing Apple’s upcoming Mac overhaul and how things stand right now (as always, season this liberally).
The model that many people are interested in is the MacBook OLED, which will be a high-end effort in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, with a touchscreen for the first time (not everyone is so keen on the latter, mind you). They will pack the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, not the M6.
Gurman says that this MacBook is currently being tested with macOS 27.1 by Apple and that the device “remains on track for release between the end of this year and the beginning of next year”. The leaker had previously claimed that we’re looking at a release in late 2026 or early 2027 (although there’s a nuance here that I’ll return to shortly).
What about M6 MacBooks? We’re apparently getting a refresh of the lowest-end MacBook Pro 14-inch this year, packing the M6, and this will be the first launch to use next-generation silicon. There will also be new iMacs with the M6, all of which will reportedly arrive this fall (probably around October 2026, in other words, give or take a month).
The MacBook Air isn’t being ignored, of course, and Gurman informs us that an update to this consumer range is coming in early 2027, with 13-inch and 15-inch models “very similar to the current version” – so don’t expect much in the way of change.
Another MacBook Pro launch is, he says, planned for 2027 in the form of an entry-level 14-inch laptop with a new design that will resemble the high-end OLED models, but this one will have a major upgrade with the M7 (vanilla) chip.
Unsurprisingly, he adds that a refresh of the popular MacBook Neo is in the works, upgrading to an A19 Pro chip and offering more memory (new colors will also be added).
Further down the line for MacBooks, a more radical change could be on the way for the MacBook Air, with an OLED edition of the laptop that Gurman says could arrive in 2028, while a follow-up to the high-end MacBook OLED should debut between late 2027 and early 2028, with an upgrade from the M5 Pro and Max to the M7 Pro and Max.
Apple is also working on an iMac with OLED, Gurman believes, and we have heard about that before. (Much of this rumor dump is confirmation of earlier speculation, it should be noted, with updates on timelines).
Gurman also tells us to expect refreshes within the Mac mini and Mac Studio. He claims the Mac mini is in testing with the M5 Pro and M6 processors, while Apple appears to be going with the M5 Max and M5 Ultra for the Mac Studio. These would be more difficult launches for Apple given the RAM crisis and the need for more powerful memory configurations causing further headwinds for these particular Macs. Because of this, the launch timeframes for these alleged products, Gurman says, are still up in the air.
Analysis: on the way – but out of touch?
There’s clearly a lot in the pipeline, but the most interesting update here is that the high-end MacBook OLED is apparently still on target, and we could see it later this year – potentially in just a few months. Remember, not too long ago Gurman seemed to balk at the idea of this touchscreen MacBook even arriving in 2026, but it looks like this is still very much in the cards (although it’s not guaranteed by any means).
Notably, this device still lacks a name, and the leaker doesn’t refer to it as the MacBook Ultra, as the wider rumor mill has. That it packs M5 Pro and M5 Max chips makes sense, because there will only be a vanilla version of the M6, according to what Gurman has heard on the grapevine before — Apple is apparently quickly skipping that generation to get to the M7 and more powerful AI capabilities therein. The follow-up to the high-end MacBook OLED will carry the Pro and Max chips from the M7 family, as mentioned.
In this report, Gurman alludes to these revamped Macs as Apple seeks to “capitalize on the demand for powerful laptops and desktops fueled by the artificial intelligence boom,” and underscores the leaker’s recent emphasis on how important AI is to Tim Cook’s company now.
Predictably, this notion hasn’t gone down well with some Mac fans, and the idea of a touchscreen on a MacBook (with the incoming OLED model) also remains contentious, based on social media feedback.
One Redditor puts it in particularly strong terms: “Touchscreen laptops are disgusting. I can’t believe anyone actually uses them. The ergonomics make no sense, the fingerprint factor is terrible, the OS isn’t built around touch like tablets or phones are. Why are companies actively pursuing this technology in 2026?”
Another says: “Apple is re-entering the ‘touchbar’ phase. Dark days lie ahead. I’ll wait until they inevitably go back no matter what changes they make.”
So while people love the idea of an OLED, the fact that it’s touch-capable certainly dampens enthusiasm in some quarters, not forgetting that it will add to the price tag, which is one of the other big fears about this laptop.
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