Yesterday's report of Apple skipping the M6 Pro and Max in favor of accelerating the release of the M7 chip generation has left many wondering what this means for the upcoming Mac lineup, particularly the touchscreen MacBook Ultra that was set to launch with an M6 chip within the next few months.
Those MacBooks are still on the way, featuring Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, instead of the M6 or the allegedly now-cancelled M6 Pro and Max. This shift in plans is significant, as it allows Apple to bring new technologies to market sooner, including the much-anticipated touchscreen MacBook Pro.
The 14-inch and 16-inch laptops will be the first computers Apple has ever sold with a touchscreen, marking a major departure from the company's traditionally keyboard-centric design. This feature has been available on Windows laptops for years, but Apple's implementation will likely be a game-changer, particularly with the Dynamic Island interface and OLED displays.
The laptops are also expected to feature OLED displays, likely the same tandem-OLED technology used in current iPad Pros. This will provide a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience, while the Dynamic Island interface will add a new level of interactivity and customization. It remains unclear if these laptops will feature Face ID capabilities or stick with Touch ID, but the Dynamic Island will reportedly house the new Siri and other actions, including Live Activities.
With the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips powering these laptops, Apple is making a significant investment in its Mac lineup. The first models will ship with these chips, but the company is already working on updates for 2027 featuring the M7, M7 Pro, and M7 Max. These updates will bring more advanced local AI capabilities to market sooner, cementing Apple's position as a leader in the tech industry.
