Redesigned MacBook Pro costs more but offers no speed gain
Apple is expected to unveil a lighter, touch-enabled laptop on October 28 that runs on the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors introduced eight months ago.
By Kwame Silva ·
Apple will unveil a fully redesigned MacBook Pro on October 28, but the new machine is expected to run on the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that debuted nearly eight months ago. According to a report from 9to5Mac, the company plans to hold the launch event under the name "Pro and tell." The timing creates a distinct marketing challenge for the brand, which must persuade professional users to upgrade to a model that offers no increase in processing power.
The hardware changes are extensive. Rumors describe a new industrial design that is both lighter and slightly thinner than the current version. The display is expected to shift to OLED technology and support touch input, a first for the MacBook Pro line. The notch at the top of the screen is reported to be replaced by a Dynamic Island. A C2 cellular modem is also rumored as a potential feature, though that remains less certain.
The lack of a chip upgrade stems from a shift in Apple’s silicon roadmap. The company is reportedly skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max processors entirely. Instead, it is fast-tracking the M7 Pro and M7 Max for release in 2027. This leaves the redesigned laptop arriving in a gap between generations, relying on the existing M5 architecture.
Pricing remains an open question. 9to5Mac suggests the redesign could carry a premium over current models, potentially pushing the starting price to around $2,999. That would mean consumers paying more for a machine that is not faster than its predecessor. The outlet noted that replacing the current M5 Pro and M5 Max models at the same price is unlikely given the current memory crisis.
Apple has not yet confirmed the specific details of the new design or the event. The October 28 presentation will determine how much of the reporting is accurate and how the company positions a laptop that prioritizes form factor over raw speed. For buyers who held off on the M5 series earlier this year, the decision to upgrade will hinge on whether the new design and display improvements justify the cost.
