Will Apple Announce New MacBook Pros This January?

[MacRumors]

While the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro was updated with an M5 chip in October, we are still waiting for higher-end MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and there are some signs that might point towards a late January launch this year.

First, Apple's new Creator Studio bundle of creative apps launches on Wednesday, January 28. Given that Creator Studio includes many professional Mac apps, such as Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Pixelmator Pro, Macworld speculated that the week of January 28 would be a fitting time for Apple to release new MacBook Pro models too.

Second, Apple's next quarterly earnings call is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, and the company has introduced new products shortly before these calls on numerous occasions over the years and touched on them in the opening remarks.

Third, there is precedent, as Apple unveiled MacBook Pro models with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips with a press release in January 2023.

Again, all of this is speculation, so do not set your expectations too high. But, sometimes where there is smoke there is fire.

Beyond the M5 chip, the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro received only one notable change last year: PCIe 5.0 storage. Apple says this results in up to 2× faster SSD read and write speeds compared to the previous-generation model.

The higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are likewise expected to have few other changes.

Bigger changes to the MacBook Pro are expected with the two-generations-away models, in either late 2026 or at some point in 2027. Rumored upgrades include an OLED display with touchscreen capabilities, a thinner design, built-in cellular connectivity, and M6 chips manufactured with TSMC's advanced 2nm process, for even greater year-over-year performance gains. For that reason, it will probably be wise to skip the MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips unless you really need to upgrade.

Article Link: Will Apple Announce New MacBook Pros This January?

 

[sniffies]

So, does that mean higher-end M6 MacBook Pro won't be released until January 2027?

 

[CWallace]

Probably depends on how mature TSMC's 2nm process is and what capacity is available with AI sucking up everything.

I am very interested to see how TSMC's new fab process being used for the M5 Pro / Max / Ultra will allow Apple to customize these chips compared to previous generations in terms of CPU/GPU/NE cores.

 

[Falhófnir]

If they're ready I don't see any benefit of waiting until any potential March event as it's just a chip bump. They're technically 3 months or so overdue if Apple's aim is to update the MBPs yearly in October, which seems to be their favoured launch window.

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

I'm going to say yes.

 

[AdamHarbour]

I'm going to say yes.

No ,,,, jeez

 

[dmr727]

It'd be nice to see a late January update. I'm really curious about the following MBP, and I figure the earlier we see this one, the earlier we can start getting excited about the next one.

 

[SvenLorenz1975]

Or maybe it's very wise to get the M5 Pro/Max if you don't want a touchscreen, downgraded speakers and battery life, throttling problems and probably no HDMI with the "thinner, lighter redesign".

 

[adamw]

Bring on the new M5 Max and M5 Pro MacBook Pro laptops. We are eagerly looking to see the performance improvements that the M5 Max and M4 Pro chips will being.

 

[Plutonius]

They need to do something to direct away the negative attention on Apple's just announced app subscription .

 

[Falhófnir]

Or maybe it's very wise to get the M5 Pro/Max if you don't want a touchscreen, downgraded speakers and battery life, throttling problems and probably no HDMI with the "thinner, lighter redesign".

There's definitely a case for not jumping straight onto a redesign, though the last 2 (intel 16" and M1 14/16") have had minimal problems. The 2012s and 2016s are a cautionary tale, though.

 

[dmr727]

Or maybe it's very wise to get the M5 Pro/Max if you don't want a touchscreen, downgraded speakers and battery life, throttling problems and probably no HDMI with the "thinner, lighter redesign".

And best yet, you can probably get a killer deal on one.

 

[johnrlaporta]

I really need to upgrade....so yes, bring these on!

 

[randomgeeza]

I have stopped caring. And won't be buying anything unless they fix the software on it...

 

[dmr727]

I have stopped caring. And won't be buying anything unless they fix the software on it...

Hopefully by 2027 they've ironed out most of the issues with Tahoe. My favorite thing about my M4 Air is that it's still running Sequoia.

 

[maruyama]

Or maybe it's very wise to get the M5 Pro/Max if you don't want a touchscreen, downgraded speakers and battery life, throttling problems and probably no HDMI with the "thinner, lighter redesign".

The elite move is to wait until the M6 Pro redesign drops, then pick up the M5 Pro on clearance while the MR forums fill up with threads about touchscreen issues, OLED issues, thermal issues, etc.

 

[neotint]

Wondering how much RAM supply issues are affecting things, any quality on device (private) AI requires a lot more RAM. Doubtful this bump will see any shift in RAM sizes or affordability; so I'm not planning to buy any new model, maybe instead go for a M4 series used/refurbed to avoid marginal gain "tax" of M5 offering.

 

[Stig McNasty]

The elite move is to wait until the M6 Pro redesign drops, then pick up the M5 Pro on clearance while the MR forums fill up with threads about touchscreen issues, OLED issues, thermal issues, etc.

Or wait until the M5 Pro arrives, then pick up a M4 Pro / Max?

 

[klasma]

Fourth, Betteridge's law of headlines though.

 

[johnrlaporta]

Hopefully by 2027 they've ironed out most of the issues with Tahoe. My favorite thing about my M4 Air is that it's still running Sequoia.

The reason I like my 2008 Mac Pro is it runs 10.6!

 

[ForkHandles]

Take my money!!!

 

[Isengardtom]

Not interested in MacBooks but a new iMac would be nice .
I made a mistake not getting more storage on my M1

 

[Radeon85]

New HomePod minis would be nice.

 

[1d1otic]

I would wait for M6 series with a whole new design instead of SoC.

 

[DesertNomad]

I recently bout a 14" M4 Pro so I can avoid Tahoe for as long as possible.