- We just received new information on Apple’s incoming Macs
- It includes the claim that the OLED MacBook could be on track for launch later this year and that it is currently being tested with macOS 27.1.
- The laptop would feature the M5 Pro and Max chips, with a follow-up possibly arriving as early as late 2027 with the M7 Pro and Max.
Apple plans to release a whole slew of new Macs over the next couple of years, and if you’re wondering about the OLED MacBook, it looks like that laptop remains on track for a possible launch later this year.
Mark Gurman divulged a lot of information and updates in a Bloomberg report that details Apple’s upcoming Mac revisions and where they stand (as always, sprinkle seasoning generously).
The model that many people are interested in is the OLED MacBook which will be a premium effort in 14- and 16-inch sizes, sporting a touchscreen for the first time (not everyone likes the latter, mind you). They will carry 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 previously claimed that we were looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 release (although there is a nuance here that I will return to shortly).
What about M6 MacBooks? We’ll apparently get a refresh of the low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the M6 this year, and it will be the first launch to use the next-generation silicon. There will also be new M6-powered iMacs, all of which should 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 a refresh of this consumer range will arrive in early 2027, with 13-inch and 15-inch models that “look very similar to the current version” – so don’t expect much 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 be similar to high-end OLED models, but this one will get a major upgrade with the M7 (vanilla) chip.
Unsurprisingly, he adds that a refresh of the popular MacBook Neo is in the works, which upgrades to an A19 Pro chip and offers more memory (new colors will also be added).
Later for MacBooks, there could be a more radical change coming for the MacBook Air, with an OLED version of the laptop that Gurman says could arrive in 2028, while a follow-up to the high-end OLED MacBook is expected to debut in late 2027 to 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’ve already heard about it. (It should be noted that much of these rumors are confirmation of earlier speculation, with updates on timelines).
Gurman also tells us to expect refreshes in the Mac mini and Mac Studio arena. He says the Mac mini is being tested with the M5 Pro and M6 processors, while Apple appears to be opting for the M5 Max and M5 Ultra for Mac Studio. These would be trickier launches for Apple given the RAM crisis and the need for more robust memory configurations, leading to additional headwinds for these particular Macs. For this reason, launch times for these alleged products are, Gurman says, still up in the air.
Analysis: on the right track – but disconnected?
There’s clearly a lot in the works, but the most interesting update here is that the high-end OLED MacBook is apparently still on track, and we could see it later this year – potentially in just a few months. Remember, it wasn’t long ago that Gurman seemed to be hesitant about the idea of this touchscreen MacBook arriving in 2026, but it seems like that’s still very much in the cards (although it’s by no means guaranteed).
This device is still missing a name, and the leaker isn’t calling it MacBook Ultra, as the wider rumor does. The fact that it contains the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips makes sense, as there will only be a vanilla version of the M6, according to what Gurman has heard before – Apple is apparently quickly skipping this generation to get to the M7 and more powerful AI capabilities. The follow-up to the high-end OLED MacBook will feature the Pro and Max chips from the M7 family, as noted.
In the report, Gurman casts all of these revamped Macs as Apple seeking to “capitalize on demand for powerful laptops and desktops fueled by the artificial intelligence boom,” highlighting the leaker’s recent emphasis on the current importance of AI to Tim Cook’s company.
Predictably, this notion hasn’t gone down well with some Mac fans, and the idea of a touchscreen on a MacBook (with this incoming OLED model) also remains controversial, based on social media comments.
One Reddit commenter puts it in particularly strong terms: “Touchscreen laptops are disgusting. I can’t imagine anyone actually using them. The ergonomics make no sense, the fingerprint factor is horrible, the operating system is not built around touch like tablets or phones are. Why are companies actively pursuing this technology in 2026?
Another says: “Apple is entering the Touch Bar phase again. Dark days lie ahead. I’ll wait until they inevitably reverse the changes they’re making.”
So while people like the idea of an OLED, the fact that it’s touchscreen certainly dampens enthusiasm in some circles, not to mention that it will increase the price, which is one of the other big fears about this laptop.
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