Apple Plans Major MacBook and iMac Overhaul to Meet AI Demand
Apple is preparing a major refresh of its entire Mac lineup, from the MacBook Air to the Mac Studio. According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the company's plans, the new models are expected to meet the growing demand for high-performance computers designed for artificial intelligence workloads.
Entry-Level MacBook Pro and New iMacs Lead the Way
The refresh will begin with a low-end 14-inch MacBook Pro (code-named J804), one of the first Apple computers to use the new M6 chip. Alongside it, Apple is preparing its first new iMac models in two years — J833 and J834 — which are already finished in development but won't ship until fall.
The Headline Act: An OLED MacBook With a Touch Screen
The most significant change is a redesigned generation of 14- and 16-inch MacBooks (code-named K114 and K116) featuring an OLED display with touch-screen support — both firsts for the Mac. The laptops are already being tested internally with macOS 27.1, due for release at the end of October, and will use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips found in the MacBook Pros launched this past March.
The OLED MacBook models are expected to launch between the end of 2026 and early 2027, according to the people familiar with the plans. Follow-up versions with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips are slated for late 2027 to early 2028.
MacBook Air, Pro and Neo Are Getting Updates Too
A refreshed MacBook Air line is expected by early 2027 — the 13- and 15-inch models (J913 and J915) will closely resemble the current versions, with an OLED variant unlikely before 2028.
Apple is also developing a redesigned base MacBook Pro (K104) with a standard M7 chip, planned for later in 2027.
Separately, an updated MacBook Neo is in development, featuring an A19 Pro chip and more memory.
Mac mini, Mac Studio and the Memory Chip Squeeze
Apple is also working on new versions of the Mac mini (with M5 Pro and M6 chip options) and Mac Studio (with M5 Max and M5 Ultra), both popular among users running demanding AI applications. However, their release timing depends on the state of memory-chip supplies, a shortage that has already forced Apple to raise prices on some products.
Mac sales are projected to grow for a third consecutive year, helped in part by interest from users running AI agents. Apple declined to comment on unannounced products.
