Apple’s MacBook Ultra Looms: Is the MacBook Pro Set for Retirement?

Apple’s upcoming MacBook Ultra could signal the end of the entry‑level MacBook Pro, according to the latest chip roadmap leaked to analysts. The company plans to skip the M6 Pro and M6 Max, leaping from the M5 series straight to an M7 generation for its top‑tier laptops.

Chip strategy reshapes the high‑end lineup

A standard M6 will appear this year in a base MacBook Pro, but the Pro and Max variants are reportedly omitted. Consequently, the first OLED‑screen Mac will ship with existing M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon, while M7 Pro and M7 Max are slated for late 2027.

“Apple is betting on a radical design leap rather than incremental silicon upgrades,” said a source close to the project.

Launch timing is fluid. Initial forecasts pointed to late 2026, yet memory‑chip shortages and recent price hikes push the debut toward early 2027. A second‑generation model with M7 chips is already on the docket for late 2027, meaning the inaugural Ultra could enjoy a brief market window.

What the Ultra brings

The MacBook Ultra is expected to debut OLED panels using the same hybrid tandem technology that powers the iPad Pro, feature the first Mac touchscreen, replace the notch with a Dynamic Island, and sport a slimmer chassis in both 14‑inch and 16‑inch variants. Built‑in cellular connectivity is also rumored.

Apple appears to position touch as “touch‑friendly, not touch‑first,” allowing users to switch between touch, trackpad and keyboard without turning the Mac into an iPad. This marks a reversal from the company’s long‑standing stance against vertical touchscreens.

macOS 27 “Golden Gate” already adds direct touch control to Sidecar, letting iPad users tap macOS elements. A reinforced hinge is also anticipated to keep the display steady under finger pressure.

Pricing will be premium. The current 14‑inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, with the M5 Pro model at $2,499 and the M5 Max at $4,099. The 16‑inch M5 Max begins at $4,399, and a fully specced configuration tops $10,000. The OLED Ultra is expected to start even higher, reflecting its groundbreaking features.

For deeper analysis, see Reuters and Bloomberg.

Intel provided by Dr. Aris Thorne (Artificial Intelligence Researcher).