MacBook Ultra rumors are everywhere right now, so I looked into what’s actually coming
So, both my Mr. and I are Apple devotees, and while I don’t really need a MacBook Pro (yet), he most definitely does for his job and all the software he runs.
Over the last few weeks, he’s been excitedly chattering to me about the new MacBook Ultra that’s on the way this year, and while I won’t need it, he’s keen to see if it’ll be worth investing in.
I’m intrigued to see what’s going to feature (as is he), but there’s always a lot of speculation and idle gossip amongst the actual known facts, so that’s what I want to chat to you all about today.
The Apple MacBook Ultra rumor mill is already swirling, so what’s actually happening with it?
What’s confirmed for the MacBook Ultra release?
So for some time now, there’s been lots of chatter about how Apple has been widely expected to launch new M6-series MacBook Pro models. But in a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, it seems that it’s not the case. Rather, Apple will launch an all-new kind of MacBook.
That’s really intriguing, given that they’re also currently releasing the MacBook Neo at an entry-level price. It suggests that Apple is genuinely trying to offer more models at a variety of prices to suit a wider range of budgets.
Get Polina Fomenkova’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
However, I’m getting ahead. You’re here to read about what’s potentially going to feature in the new MacBook Ultra. So far, we’ve had confirmation that it’ll have the following:
- OLED screen: The first iPhones got these in 2017, and they came to iPad in 2024, so it was only a matter of time before they incorporated them into a Mac.
- Touchscreen display: It’s also believed it’ll have a touchscreen display too, the first of its kind on a MacBook.
- Chip updates: It’s going to feature a powerful 2nm M6 Pro/Max chip.
Pricing…? Hold on to your hats…
So, all that isn’t going to come cheap. Let’s be honest! I know the price my partner paid for his last MacBook Pro, and that was eye-watering enough.
With the introduction of these more advanced technologies, the MacBook Ultra is expected to command at least a 20% premium over all current Pro models.
At the moment, the speculation (and that’s all it is) is that a 14-inch model will start at $2,499 and 16-inch models will start at $2,999.
What’s in a name?
While everyone is insisting it’s going to be called the MacBook Ultra, even that’s not been 100% confirmed…
Gurman claims that “Apple could keep the traditional MacBook Pro name,” He also says that taking the MacBook Ultra moniker would “more clearly signal their position at the top of the lineup.”
And let’s be honest, calling it “The New MacBook With the OLED Screen” is a bit of a mouthful. Current estimates reckon it’ll be released in the last quarter of the year. I wonder if we may also hear more about it at WWDC next month?
That’s what we know so far! Will you be trying it out?
What do I think? For me, I’ll stick to my MacBook Air. It’s more than enough for my needs as a content creator, though I’d be lying if I said a touch-screen option wasn’t appealing. Ultimately, for me, it’ll be the price, and I don’t think I could commit to that level of spend at the moment.
I think for those folks who run lots of high-end software for whatever industry they’re in, or for coding and programming, it’s going to make a lot more sense. My partner is keeping an eye on it as he’ll be due for an upgrade by early next year, and he’s on a MacBook Pro right now.
What do you think? Let me know your views on the latest Apple launches in the comments!
