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New M5 Chips Spotted in iOS 26.3 Beta
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This logic, then, presuming they cannot put an Ultra chip into the current chassis (at least the 14") . . . that would mean Only M5 and M4 Max models of various capabilities. That does introduce a substantial price tier adjustment, but since they have done away with standard tiers (at least on a landing page), maybe this is fine. It certainly cleans up the lineup a bit. And with such a focus on AI, I can see how they would want to sell more chips with more GPUs. But, again, then I hope they put a Max chip in the Mac minis. Other than not wanting to cannibalize the Studio, I don't see why a Max chip in the Mini hasn't already been done.
Mac Studio CPUs.
If Apple adds a third tier to the laptops it isn't going to be a traditional 'ultra' it will be a premium ($10k+) laptop that they gate 256+gb of memory behind and maybe some GPU cores. Given the configurator changes recently I think this is unlikey.
Studio is probably coming soon.
The real shock is going to be memory pricing, especially since this Ultra studio will probably have to sell for 18-24 months as the top end before M7. They are not going to price conservatively; I bet $15k or more is the top end.
If Apple adds a third tier to the laptops it isn't going to be a traditional 'ultra' it will be a premium ($10k+) laptop that they gate 256+gb of memory behind and maybe some GPU cores. Given the configurator changes recently I think this is unlikey.
Studio is probably coming soon.
The real shock is going to be memory pricing, especially since this Ultra studio will probably have to sell for 18-24 months as the top end before M7. They are not going to price conservatively; I bet $15k or more is the top end.
eRondeau
macrumors 65816
I think the base M5 is pretty close to Pro-level performance for starters. Maybe they'll skip the Pro from now on and instead allow a more "minimum" M5 Max configuration to replace it?
Neofox
macrumors regular
That's the opposite, the news said that M5 Pro haven't actually been seen, only M5 Max and Ultra
tenthousandthings
Contributor
I think this just means the Mac Studio will launch sooner than expected.
Agree with others that they are going back to something like what they had in M1 and M2, where the Pro and the Max were the same but the Max had double the GPU. Except that with SoIC architecture they have even more flexibility (think I/O), so it should be interesting.
Agree with others that they are going back to something like what they had in M1 and M2, where the Pro and the Max were the same but the Max had double the GPU. Except that with SoIC architecture they have even more flexibility (think I/O), so it should be interesting.
This all makes sense, and there’s a history of chips being skipped before when next generation is close (i.e. M2 -> M4 on iPad Pro), EXCEPT for the fact that apparently MacBook Pro stock is dwindling. It can’t be low for eight months.
Yes. New Mac Studio alongside new Studio Display …
ikramerica
macrumors 68020
I could see this being true. No Pro chip at all. Just Max with different graphics and memory configs.
If they put an Ultra in a MacBook Pro. I'm all for it. It would most likely have that MacPro design pattern underneath and in the rear of the laptop to allow air to flow. A unibody design with that pattern in the back would be SICK. I do not need it, but I would be way too tempted to get it. 🥹
tenthousandthings
Contributor
I don’t know — I kind of think the opposite — that the Pro/Max tier will now be more strongly differentiated from the base M5. I’ll guess there will still be a Pro. Especially if Apple is going to introduce a range of IC (“integrated chip”) configurations within that framework. So macOS sees all of them as variants of the same thing.
Unless they come out with long yearned for (on MR at least) successor to the 17”, an 18” MBP would probably be able to have a big enough cooling system crammed in
Lot's of comments on these being M5 Studio's but the M4M/M3U Studio's were released less than a year ago (March 12th) so way off their 1.5 year cadence.
Populus
macrumors 604
Don’t take what I’m about to speculate too seriously but, what if…
Yeah. I guess I’m not the only one who had that thought.
it would be great if they could do the Mac mini M5 soon as well...
Classic. Selling a Pro chip as a Max and a Max as an Ultra...including their pricetags.
No one here expected Apple to release only M5 Max and M5 Ultra MacBookPros. That is what the article is suggesting.
And you would know this how?
Apple moving in the direction of bringing Ultra chip to MacBook Pro is not impossible, and electing to ship only Max and Ultra chips in it when the base model M5 more than covers the entry level Pro is not un-Apple like at all. Quite the opposite.
jeroenvip
macrumors regular
For me, the M5 with more RAM for local LLMs is the move. I’m not waiting for the M6. Why try to “improve” perfection with a touchscreen… or whatever Touch Bar zombie revival they’re planning? If I want touch, I’ll buy an iPad. That product already exists—and it doesn’t wobble when I breathe on it.
Try pressing your current Mac’s screen. It wobbles left to right like it’s a private in basic training doing tai chi drills. How are they planning to handle constant poking? Counterweights? Titanium-reinforced hinges? A motivational poster?
And fingerprints—forget it. Right now, the keyboard heroically absorbs grease when the lid is closed. Touchscreen Mac? Your screen becomes so ugly it could be a modern art masterpiece… a kind of “I survived the grease apocalypse” tribute to humanity’s failure.
Enter ClothOS, the new operating system Apple absolutely didn’t need. Powered by the new, “improved” Siri, your screen cleaning is now a full combat simulation:
Meanwhile, I’ll take the M5 with obscene RAM, run local LLMs, and keep my hands on the keyboard. The M6 touchscreen? Let it suck it up like a recruit in the mud pit. I’ll be over here, actually getting work done, not screaming at a laptop like it owes me my soul.
Try pressing your current Mac’s screen. It wobbles left to right like it’s a private in basic training doing tai chi drills. How are they planning to handle constant poking? Counterweights? Titanium-reinforced hinges? A motivational poster?
And fingerprints—forget it. Right now, the keyboard heroically absorbs grease when the lid is closed. Touchscreen Mac? Your screen becomes so ugly it could be a modern art masterpiece… a kind of “I survived the grease apocalypse” tribute to humanity’s failure.
Enter ClothOS, the new operating system Apple absolutely didn’t need. Powered by the new, “improved” Siri, your screen cleaning is now a full combat simulation:
For the elite operators, Apple introduces:
- Cloth Pro – Cleans your screen like a boot camp drill sergeant, but still leaves a streak of shame.
- Cloth Pro Max – Heavier, louder, and 37% more expensive than sense.
- Cloth Pro Ultra – Polishes fingerprints you haven’t even made yet, yells at you for bad posture, and requires you to salute while wiping.
- Smudge Detection AI – Pinpoints every mark, logs it, and files a report on your life choices.
- Adaptive Wiping – Tells you to wipe harder, slower, or diagonally depending on mood.
- Always-On Cleaning – Your screen will never look clean, but it’s thinking about cleaning, which Apple assures us is “therapeutic.”
Meanwhile, I’ll take the M5 with obscene RAM, run local LLMs, and keep my hands on the keyboard. The M6 touchscreen? Let it suck it up like a recruit in the mud pit. I’ll be over here, actually getting work done, not screaming at a laptop like it owes me my soul.
What I'm interested to see is how Apple's Purchasing department handled the rise in NAND flash memory cost.
I'm so so ready to replace my 2012 iMac 27" & 2019 MBP 16" already.
I'm so so ready to replace my 2012 iMac 27" & 2019 MBP 16" already.