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M5 MacBook Air Coming Spring 2026 With M5 Mac Studio and Mac Mini in Development

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Apple plans to launch MacBook Air models equipped with the new M5 chip in spring 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple is also working on M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models that will come early in the year.

m4-macbook-air-blue.jpeg

Neither the MacBook Pro models nor the MacBook Air models are expected to get design changes, with Apple focusing on simple chip upgrades. In the case of the MacBook Pro, a much bigger refresh is planned for either late 2026 or early 2027.

Apple is developing thinner, lighter OLED MacBook Pro models with touch screen capabilities. The late 2026/early 2027 refresh will mark the first design update to the MacBook Pro since 2021.

As for the MacBook Air, it received a design update in 2022, though Apple did introduce a larger-screened 15-inch model in 2023. Rumors suggest the MacBook Air will get an updated LCD display in 2027, so design tweaks could come at that point.

Apple is developing new versions of the Mac Studio and Mac mini, with those machines likely to get M5 Pro and/or M5 Max chips as well. There are also two external displays that are in the works, at least one of which is a second-generation version of the Studio Display. It's possible that new displays could come out alongside upgraded desktop machines, but there is no word on when Apple plans to update the Mac mini and Mac Studio.

Article Link: M5 MacBook Air Coming Spring 2026 With M5 Mac Studio and Mac Mini in Development
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/10/16/m5-macbook-air-spring/
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I am going to strongly consider the M5 Max Mac Studio with new display if the display delivers. I am getting RAM/storage constrained on my M2 Max, which is not otherwise showing its age at all...so I may just take the jump now.

As for the MacBook Pros, waiting for redesign.
 
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zedsdead said:
I am going to strongly consider the M5 Max Mac Studio with new display if the display delivers. I am getting RAM/storage constrained on my M2 Max, which is not otherwise showing its age at all...so I may just take the jump now.

As for the MacBook Pros, waiting for redesign.
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Tempting, though I feel like waiting for the M6 and the shift to 2nm might be more worth it. Though the M5 definitely looks great, I'm itching to upgrade both my M1 MacBook Air and M1 Max Mac Book Pro. (I only ever keep it docked, so a studio may be in order with a MB Air for mobility)
 
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TechRemarker said:
Why would Apple release new MacBook Pros early in 2026 and then release a massive redesign of them several months later in the same year?
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Because some people still need to be able to buy a machine and can't wait a year, but don't want to be stuck paying full price for obsolete hardware? Changing out an M-series chip it relatively trivial, since most everything is now integrated into the package.
 
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hieranonymous said:
Meanwhile the Mac Pro is stuck at M2 with nary a rumor to be heard.
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For real. I have been considering purchasing one but it's the only Mac in the modern line up that doesn't have hardware accelerated raytracing and it's the most expensive at its base configuration. And the ram is so small for LLMs. My M4 Max is probably better overall.
 
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zedsdead said:
I am going to strongly consider the M5 Max Mac Studio with new display if the display delivers. I am getting RAM/storage constrained on my M2 Max, which is not otherwise showing its age at all...so I may just take the jump now.

As for the MacBook Pros, waiting for redesign.
Click to expand...
I splurged when I bought my M2 Max Mac Studio and went for 64GB of RAM. My machine is working just fine. What’s more, I don’t relish the idea of buying a new display. So I think I’ll just hang onto my set-up. M6 Max with 2nm may be enough to move the needle for me.
 
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Think|Different said:
I can't believe this – I just got an M4 one!
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Yep. My 15" M4 Air (32GB / 2TB) just arrived last week. I got a refurb though.

Ironically - the reason I specced it up so much is for an AI project I'm involved in. The irony is that M5 will be a much better chip for this for on-device AI... Oh well - I can't wait until Spring and I don't want the 14" M5 Pro.
 
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aajeevlin said:
Really wish they would do iMac and put in a 27inch display. I get it people are always saying "get a Mini and get whatever display you like". But the whole iMac setup is just so clean.
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I could be wrong, but I get the impression that one of the biggest markets for iMacs are in businesses for uses like at why dentist's office that uses them. They like the simplicity, but otherwise their needs are modest. Clearly that's not the only category of buyers but the others may not amount to enough to warrant higher end iMacs. Just my guess.
 
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The LCD screen update to the Air in 2027 will be interesting.

I'd be very happy if they used the MiniLED from the current Pros, due to the amazing contrast, brightness, color accuracy and refresh rate.

But I don't think they will because of how much power they draw (the Air is meant to be a battery beast).

Interested to see what they end up with.

I think contrast and refresh rate are the only downsides to the current Air's screen.
 
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