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Skipping the New MacBook Pro? Here Are the Rumors About M5 Models

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The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips launched in stores today. If you are not planning to upgrade this year, be aware that there are already rumors about next year's MacBook Pro models with M5 series chips.

Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero
It appears the MacBook Pro will remain on an annual upgrade cycle next year. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said camera module shipments for MacBook Pro models with M5 series chips will begin in 2025, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also recently said MacBook Pro models with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips will launch next year. In fact, he said Apple's development of those chips was already near completion.

MacBook Pro announcement dates:

  • M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max models: October 30, 2024
  • M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max models: October 30, 2023
  • M2 Pro and M2 Max models: January 17, 2023 (it has been rumored that this launch was initially planned for October 2022)
  • M1 Pro and M1 Max models: October 18, 2021

Gurman believes the MacBook Pro will not receive any major design changes next year, with bigger changes like an OLED display and a thinner design rumored for 2026. The last major redesign to the MacBook Pro line occurred in 2021.

All in all, expect the MacBook Pro to receive yet another modest spec bump with performance improvements and other internal upgrades next year, and start saving your money for the two-generations-away models with a "total redesign."

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

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Top Rated Comments

B
Bokito
18 months ago
I hope the MacBook Pro doesn’t get any thinner. We have seen the compromises Apple had to make before. A thinner MacBook Pro would compromise speed, speakers, keyboard or battery life. The current MacBook Pro is slim enough. If you don’t need the power of a MacBook Pro, you can buy an Air.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Eric_WVGG Avatar
Eric_WVGG
18 months ago

Do people think an OLED screen in a macbook is worth it? mini-LED is quite good and I kind of worry about burn in.
Yeah I personally find the Mini-LED more than good enough. I forget about the light blooming altogether. OLED is definitely a "want" not a "need".
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
CarlJ
18 months ago

People skip upgrading to newer Mac models but upgrade their iPhone yearly although not all does this but still...
Some people upgrade their phone yearly. I'm on a 16 Pro now - my previous phone was an iPhone 8. My Mac is an M1 Max MBP and I'm quite happy with it and expect to be using it for years to come - my previous Mac was ancient.

The yearly upgrade rollercoaster is stupid and wasteful (plus we get all these people saying "I see no compelling reason to upgrade from my 15 Pro to the 16 Pro!!1!", like that's a tragedy - no, that's how it's supposed to be). Upgrade when the previous one breaks irreparably or no longer meets your needs, not because you need to be seen with the latest toy.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
V
VisceralRealist
18 months ago

People skip upgrading to newer Mac models but upgrade their iPhone yearly although not all does this but still...
Well, one is a lot more expensive than the other...

Personally, I doubt I will upgrade until there is a design change. Spec bump isn't enough.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
L
ls1dreams
18 months ago
Do people think an OLED screen in a macbook is worth it? mini-LED is quite good and I kind of worry about burn in.

I'm on an M1 Max and will prob pick up a machine somewhere in the M6-M7 range I think. Definitely at least waiting for wi-fi 7 and curious what new AI capabilities might come out.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mitthrawnuruodo Avatar
Mitthrawnuruodo
18 months ago

Gurman believes the MacBook Pro will not receive any major design changes next year, with bigger changes like an OLED display and a thinner design rumored for 2026 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/03/future-macbook-pro-rumors/'). The last major redesign to the MacBook Pro line occurred in 2021.
In 2026 my MacBook Air M1 will be 6 years old.

I have a feeling it will still do all I want and need from a computer, but..., that might be the year when the temptation to upgrade overpowers common sense... :p
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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