Apple Delays Touch Screen MacBook Pro and Mac Studio Launch
▼ Summary
– A global memory chip shortage may delay the launch of the next MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models.
– New 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch screens are now more likely to arrive in early 2027 instead of late 2026.
– The next Mac Studio models, featuring M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, are expected to ship around October of this year instead of mid-2026.
– The upcoming MacBook Pro refresh is rumored to include an OLED display, M6 Pro/Max chips, a thinner design, and a touch-friendly macOS interface.
– The Mac Studio update will primarily involve new chips, with no major design changes expected for the desktop.
The ongoing global memory chip shortage is now expected to delay the launch of Apple’s next-generation MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models. According to the latest industry reporting, these highly anticipated refreshes are being pushed back from their original timelines, with the touch screen MacBook Pro now likely arriving in early 2027.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who has consistently reported on Apple’s plans, notes that the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with touch screen was initially slated for a late 2026 to early 2027 launch window. In his latest update, he indicates that the persistent chip shortage means consumers should prepare for these laptops to arrive towards the very end of that timeframe, making an early 2027 release more probable than late 2026.
The impact extends to Apple’s desktop lineup as well. Gurman had previously anticipated a new Mac Studio model to debut around mid-2026, potentially announced at WWDC in June. However, sources now suggest the updated Mac Studio will not ship until approximately October of this year, a direct consequence of supply chain constraints.
The upcoming MacBook Pro refresh is rumored to be significant, centered on the introduction of touch-screen support. This major update is expected to be paired with next-generation M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, a shift to an OLED display, the integration of a Dynamic Island, and a thinner overall design. Some speculation even points to potential MacBook Ultra branding for these high-end models, with macOS 27 reportedly being optimized for a touch-friendly interface.
For the Mac Studio, the primary upgrade will involve a transition to new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips. This move will resolve the current chip mismatch in the lineup, where the existing model uses an M4 Max alongside an older M3 Ultra chip, as Apple never released an M4 Ultra variant. No substantial external design changes are anticipated for the compact desktop.
In summary, the revised schedule points to an updated Mac Studio arriving around October this year. The landmark touch screen MacBook Pro models are now expected to follow, likely launching by the end of January 2027.
(Source: MacRumors)
