Apple’s Mac computers have seen a sales resurgence in recent times, with sales expected to grow for the third consecutive year. These devices have become popular among users running compute-intensive artificial intelligence (AI) programs. Apple plans to overhaul its entire Mac lineup in the next 1-2 years to capitalize on the hardware upgrade wave driven by AI computing demands.
According to Bloomberg’s report on Wednesday (July 22), Apple’s future focus will be on AI computing power, OLED screen displays, and new chips. Due to tight storage chip supply, Apple has announced a comprehensive price increase.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the tech giant is planning to release new versions of all its Mac products this fall and next year, including the anticipated desktop (Mac) updates, multiple entry-level notebook computers (MacBook), and redesigned professional-grade MacBook Pro.
The most eye-catching new release in this lineup could be the high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models. They feature a new design and come equipped with touchscreens using OLED display technology – both firsts in the Mac product line. OLED screens can display more vibrant colors and are already employed in products like the iPhone and iPad Pro.
The release plan for the new MacBook series is scheduled to take place between the end of this year and early next year. Apple is currently testing these laptops with macOS 17.1, which is set to be released to consumers by the end of October.
The new MacBooks will feature the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips as the MacBook Pro released in March of this year. Apple has plans for subsequent models, expected to be launched between late 2027 and early 2028, which will be powered by the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips.
Apple intends to release a new MacBook Air series at the beginning of 2027. The new models will be very similar to the existing versions (13-inch and 15-inch), but Apple is also working on a MacBook Air model with an OLED screen, expected to debut no earlier than 2028. The MacBook Air was last updated in 2022, focusing on being lightweight and thin.
In addition, Apple plans to launch another MacBook Pro in 2027 – an entry-level model with a new design. This model will have a look similar to the upcoming high-end 14-inch and 16-inch models, with the main difference being it will be powered by the standard M7 chip.
Furthermore, an updated version of Apple’s entry-level notebook, the MacBook Neo, is in development. The company has been internally testing a model equipped with an upgraded A19 Pro chip and larger memory capacity. Apple released the Neo in March of this year and plans to introduce new color options regularly to make the most of its broad market appeal.
With their powerful processing capabilities and ability to connect to external displays and various computing environments, the Mac mini and Mac Studio have become popular choices for running AI applications.
This has led to demand surpassing supply, causing delays of at least three months for new orders of some existing Mac mini and Mac Studio models to ship. These supply chain challenges have made it difficult for Apple to maintain sufficient inventory to release new models as usual.
In April, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook stated that achieving a balance between supply and demand for these models might take “a few months.” In February, Apple announced the start of Mac mini production in Houston, expanding its production beyond Asia.
Looking ahead, Apple is developing an all-in-one iMac featuring an OLED display that will match the technology used in high-end MacBooks and future MacBook Air models. This display technology has already been utilized in the iPad mini this year.
Apple also plans to release new versions of the Mac mini and Mac Studio with upgraded chips. The Mac mini being tested is equipped with M5 Pro and M6 processors while the Mac Studio will have M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors. However, the release dates of these models and the planned chip and memory configurations are subject to the supply situation of memory chips.
In June, Apple raised the prices of all its Mac products. This includes increasing the price of the MacBook Neo from $599 to $699, and the 13-inch MacBook Air from $1099 to $1299. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the highest memory and storage capacity now sells for $9999.