Apple Overhauls Entire Mac Lineup! OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro Launching by Year-End

Apple (AAPL-US) is preparing to overhaul its entire Mac product lineup, aiming to capture demand driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom for high-performance laptops and desktops. On Wednesday (22nd), citing informed sources, media reported that Apple plans to update all currently sold Mac models from this fall through next year, including long-overdue desktop computers, multiple laptops, and a newly designed MacBook Pro.

The first wave of new products will include a 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip and the iMac, updated for the first time in two years. Development of both models is complete, with designs expected to largely retain current aesthetics, though shipments won’t begin until this fall at the earliest.

Mac sales have seen a revival in recent years and are on track for a third consecutive year of growth, particularly appealing to users requiring high-computational AI agents. However, memory chip shortages are constraining Apple’s production and forcing the company to raise product prices. Apple declined to comment on the reports.

The most anticipated product in the roadmap is the redesigned high-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro, set to become the first Macs with OLED displays and touch functionality. OLED technology delivers more vibrant colors and is already used in iPhones and iPad Pro models.

These internally codenamed K114 and K116 devices are still expected to launch between late 2024 and early 2025. Apple is currently testing the devices with macOS 27.1, which is expected to be released to consumers by the end of October.

Bloomberg previously reported that the new high-end MacBook Pro will offer M5 Pro and M5 Max chip options. Apple has also begun planning subsequent models, expected to launch by late 2027 to early 2028, featuring M7 Pro and M7 Max chips.

Apple also plans to update the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air by early next year, retaining a design similar to current versions. However, the company is developing an OLED model expected to debut around 2028. The last major redesign of the MacBook Air was in 2022.

Another newly designed entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is expected to launch next year, with a design similar to the high-end models but powered by the standard M7 chip. Apple is also testing an upgraded version of the budget laptop MacBook Neo, which will feature the upgraded A19 Pro chip, increased memory, and new color options to maintain market interest.

Apple is also developing a new iMac with an OLED display, aligning its display technology with the high-end MacBook Pro and future MacBook Air models. These OLED panels are also expected to debut first on the new iPad mini launching this year.

The Mac mini and Mac Studio also have upgrade plans. Test units of the Mac mini are using M5 Pro and M6 chips, while the Mac Studio is equipped with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. However, launch timing, chip configurations, and memory options will depend on memory chip supply availability.

The Mac mini and Mac Studio have become popular devices for running AI applications due to their powerful computing capabilities and flexibility in connecting external displays and adapting to various computing environments. Demand for some existing models far exceeds supply, with new orders facing delivery waits of at least three months, making it difficult for Apple to launch new products while maintaining normal inventory levels.

Apple CEO Tim Cook stated in April that it could take several more months to restore supply-demand balance for these products. In February, Apple also announced it would begin manufacturing Mac mini units in Houston, Texas, further expanding its production footprint from Asia to the United States.

Facing cost pressures, Apple raised Mac prices across the board in June. The MacBook Neo increased from $599 to $699, and the 13-inch MacBook Air rose from $1,099 to $1,299. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with maximum memory and storage capacity now reaches $9,999. Additionally, Apple is reportedly launching a device leasing program on July 28, covering Macs and other devices.