On Monday, Bloomberg shared news about Apple’s plans to completely redesign its laptop lineup. This kind of rumor is particularly noteworthy, especially since it comes just a week before the announcement and launch of a new MacBook Pro. A closer look at the report suggests that this major redesign is expected to happen sometime in 2026.
However, it’s important to remember that this is still just a rumor or an early report. This means that the plans could change, and there’s no guarantee that they will happen at all. A lot can happen in a year and a half, especially in the fast-paced world of consumer electronics. In fact, not much has changed since Apple released its latest premium laptop around this time last year.
Apple has been releasing MacBook Pro models almost like clockwork every year. This annual release is often tied to the arrival of a new chip, similar to how they release new iPhones. While there’s no promise that Apple will stick to this yearly schedule for their M-series chips, it seems to be working well for them so far.
If Apple aims to create an iPhone and MacBook that are “the thinnest and lightest in their categories across the whole tech industry,” as the report suggests, they have a challenging task ahead. The M-series chips have significantly improved the performance of their laptops, making the latest models not only the most powerful but also the best overall that Apple has produced.
The efficiencies brought by Apple’s custom chips, known as Apple Silicon, have allowed the company to make their desktop computers, like the Mac Mini, much smaller. It’s clear that the M-series will help make the laptops thinner, but it’s uncertain if this will come at a cost.
For example, the MacBook Pro models have needed a fan to handle their powerful processing capabilities, while the MacBook Air does not have one. Additionally, battery life has become a key feature for these laptops. I remember when I had to carry an external battery to keep my laptop running during events. Nowadays, I don’t have to worry about charging my MacBook Air on long flights, which is a relief, especially since the power outlets on planes can be unreliable.
Apple claims that the new MacBook Pros can last up to 24 hours on a single charge. If they decide to make the laptop significantly thinner and that means sacrificing some of that impressive battery life, they are going to have to convince me hard, because I really value that long battery life.
In the world of consumer electronics, there’s always the dilemma of whether to buy a product now or wait for the next upgrade. This is just part of the annual release cycle. So, even though there’s a rumor about a big upgrade coming in 2026, it shouldn’t heavily influence anyone’s decision to buy a MacBook today. However, by this time next year, things might look different.
MacBook Pro Vs. Air
Current Recommendations for Buying a MacBook
If you’re thinking about buying a MacBook, the advice hasn’t changed much from what it has been over the past few years. If you have set aside some money for a MacBook Pro, now is a good time to buy one. This is because the new M4 chips in the Pro models offer better performance than those from last year, making the laptops faster and more capable.
However, for most people, the MacBook Air is still the best option. It’s more budget-friendly, lighter to carry around, and for everyday tasks, you probably won’t notice much difference in performance between the Air and the Pro versions unless you do very demanding work. The MacBook Air has also had a nice upgrade: its basic version now comes with 16GB of RAM, which will help it run smoothly. Aside from that, the MacBook Air hasn’t changed much recently.
The MacBook Air still uses the M3 chip, and it’s unlikely that Apple will update it to something newer this year. If you care about the latest features and technology, it’s good to know that the new added capabilities will work with all M-series MacBooks, which includes models from the last four years.
You might have noticed that a lot of promotional material for the MacBook Pro focuses on advanced uses like 3D animation, music production, and other complex tasks related to science and technology. This is because improvements in performance mainly benefit people working in fields like video editing or scientific research; for the average user, these enhancements might not make a big difference. But for professionals doing heavy lifting in their work, these updates can save them a lot of time.
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Apple often claims that “there’s never been a better time to upgrade.” While it’s true that their devices are getting better and better over time, it’s important to consider that the differences from one version to the next aren’t always huge. For instance, the shift from Intel processors to the first M1 chip was a big deal, but changes since then have been more gradual.
Also, keep in mind that people tend to keep laptops longer than smartphones, typically around five years for laptops compared to three years for phones. Apple, like all tech companies, would love for you to upgrade more often, but many of us care about the environment and don’t want to waste resources. Plus, laptops can be quite an investment, and not everyone can afford to buy new ones frequently.
M4 For The Win
When Apple released the new M4 chips for their Mac computers, they compared them to the last generation of Intel processors made for Macs, which came out in 2019. They also included the M1 models in this comparison. This seems reasonable because most laptops are replaced every few years, so it makes sense to look at older models. However, it’s possible that Apple is being a little too optimistic about how much better the new chip is.
According to Apple, the new M4 chips are up to 9.8 times faster than the older Intel processors, and they are up to 3.5 times faster compared to the previous M1 Pro and M1 Max models. For their tests, Apple used a specific M4 chip that has 10 CPU cores (which handle general processing tasks) and 10 GPU cores (which manage graphics tasks), along with 32GB of RAM (this is memory that helps the computer run smoothly). They tested the M4 chip by using a feature in Adobe Premiere 2024 that edits scenes in a 3.5-minute video. However, your own experience may vary depending on the specific hardware you have, your system settings, and the tasks you are running.
For TechCrunch, a tech news website, Apple sent a 16-inch MacBook Pro that’s equipped with an upgraded M4 Pro chip. This particular model has a more powerful 14-core CPU, a 20-core GPU, 48GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. This high-end laptop costs $3,649, which is $1,150 more than the basic 16-inch M4 Pro model and $2,050 more than the entry-level 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro. Even though it’s pricey, the model they reviewed is considered mid-range compared to the most expensive option. If you want to really splurge, you could opt for a 16-inch MacBook Pro with a fancy nano-texture display, an M4 Max chip that has a 16-core CPU and a 40-core GPU, 128GB of memory, and 8TB of storage, which would cost a whopping $7,379.
When you’re deciding which MacBook to buy, there are a few things to keep in mind. The 14-inch MacBook Pro is available with three different M4 chip types: the basic M4, the M4 Pro, and the M4 Max. However, the 16-inch MacBook Pro only comes with the M4 Pro and M4 Max options. At the moment, these are the only MacBooks that have M4 chips, but the iPad Pro was actually the first Apple device to feature this processor. The MacBook Air likely won’t get an M4 upgrade in 2024.
If you’re curious about the differences between the M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max, it mainly comes down to how many CPU and GPU cores each chip has and how fast they can read and write data in memory, known as memory bandwidth. The memory bandwidth for these chips ranges from 120GB/s to 410GB/s, which is essentially how quickly the chip can access and store information.
Another important point is about Thunderbolt support. The M4 chip supports Thunderbolt 4, allowing data transfer speeds up to 40GB/s. On the other hand, the M4 Pro and M4 Max are the first Apple chips to support the even faster Thunderbolt 5, which can be up to three times quicker. This could be an important feature for future-proofing your technology, but if you’re unsure about which version your cables and devices support, they probably don’t support Thunderbolt 5.
Overall, all three M4 chips are powerful enough for the everyday tasks most people do with their computers. While the enhanced graphics of the Pro and Max models make them better for gaming and high-end graphics, most users might not need to spend the extra money for those upgrades. In fact, the MacBook Air remains a top choice for many, even without the M4 upgrades, because it still performs really well for most users.
One feature you might find interesting is that for the first time, Apple now offers a nano-texture display option on the MacBook. This is an upgrade that has not been widely mentioned but could be very appealing to some users.
The new MacBook Pro introduces an all-new nano-texture display option that dramatically reduces glare and distractions from reflections. In bright lighting conditions, the new MacBook Pro can now show SDR content at up to 1,000 nits and still displays HDR content at up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness. All together, it’s a game-changing experience for users working outdoors.
In simple terms, if you’re thinking about buying a new Pro model and you might use it outside, it’s worth spending an extra $150 for a special screen option. Right now, I have two Studio Displays on my desk—one has a special nano-textured finish that helps reduce glare, while the other has a shiny, glossy finish. Even when I’m indoors, the difference between the two screens is really noticeable. I even had to rearrange them to minimize the glare from the one window in my room.
A few years ago, many of us were frustrated with the glossy screens that Apple offered on their Macs. We kept hoping they would provide a different option, but Apple didn’t listen for a long time, and I eventually gave up on the idea of having a better screen. Now that they finally offer this nano-textured option, I plan to choose it for any MacBook I buy in the future. Working outside a couple of times a week helps break up the routine of a regular office job, and having a screen that reduces glare makes that experience much better.
MacBook Tank
It seems that I’ve been using a lighter 15-inch MacBook Air since my review back in March, which is why the new 16-inch MacBook Pro feels so heavy to me. Weighing in at 4.7 pounds, this model is 1.3 pounds heavier than the slightly smaller 14-inch MacBook Pro and 1.4 pounds heavier than the 15-inch Air. It’s also larger overall, thanks to its bigger screen, and it has a thicker build too—0.66 inches thick, which is 0.05 inches thicker than the 14-inch Pro and 0.21 inches thicker than the 15-inch Air.
One reason for this extra thickness is that the MacBook Air lacks a fan for cooling, which is a bit ironic since it can lead to performance issues. When you put the Air under heavy use, like gaming, it might slow down because it doesn’t have a fan to keep things cool. For most everyday users, this cooling issue isn’t a big deal, but gamers might notice it.
In essence, the 16-inch MacBook Pro fits the description of what used to be called “desktop replacements.” This means it’s a powerful machine that can handle demanding tasks, but if you often have to carry it around outside of your office, it can be a hassle. On the flip side, if you’re looking for a laptop that offers the performance of a desktop computer with the flexibility to work anywhere, this model hits the mark.
Another key difference between the MacBook Air and the Pro series is the number of ports. The Pro comes equipped with three Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, an HDMI port for connecting to displays, and an SD card slot, which is great for photographers and videographers. In comparison, the Air only has two USB-C ports, which means fewer options for connecting devices. Having more ports is generally advantageous, so it’s nice to see that Apple has kept the SD card reader in the Pro model.
Both the standard M4 and M4 Pro chips in these laptops can support two external monitors with high resolution—up to 6K at 60Hz—meaning you can have clear and detailed visuals. You can also connect either an 8K monitor at 60Hz or a 4K monitor at 240Hz. If you decide to upgrade to the M4 Max chip, you’ll get even more powerful options: up to three 6K displays at 60Hz or one 6K plus one 4K display at 240Hz, allowing for a very high-quality multi-monitor setup.
Time To Upgrade?
Every year, Apple usually updates its MacBook lineup, which means that the differences between this year’s model and last year’s aren’t often very noticeable. So, if you already have one of the MacBook models with M-series chips, you probably don’t need to worry about missing out on anything significant. The MacBooks released in the past four years have been some of the best that Apple has ever made. This is mainly because Apple has created powerful and efficient chips (the M-series), designed attractive and functional laptops, and listened to what customers want and needed.
As for what new features or improvements might come with the 2026 models, that’s still uncertain. However, right now, the MacBook Air with the M3 chip is still considered the best option for most people. If money isn’t an issue for you and you don’t mind carrying a heavier laptop, then the M4 series or the higher-end Pro models would be exceptional choices, offering top-notch performance and capabilities.
