Ever since the Mac switched from Intel processors to Apple silicon starting in 2020, each generation of M-series chips has included higher-end Pro and Max variants. If a recent report proves to be accurate, though, that streak will be coming to an end.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple will be releasing a regular M6 chip, but it has no plans to offer higher-end M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.
As a result, the rumored "MacBook Ultra" will reportedly be equipped with the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, while the high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models will seemingly be updated with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips in late 2027 or beyond.
The regular M6 chip is expected to debut in the lowest-end 14-inch MacBook Pro later this year.
A summary of the rumored timeframes:
- MacBook Ultra with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips: Late 2026 (or early 2027)
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip: Late 2026
- 14-inch MacBook Pro with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips: Late 2027
- 16-inch MacBook Pro with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips: Late 2027
It is probably wise to hold off on buying a new MacBook Pro right now if you can wait, as the next high-end MacBook Pro models and the MacBook Ultra are expected to be Apple's first high-end laptops to receive major design changes since 2021.
