After a considerably tame 2025 that was largely marked by processor upgrades, 2026 is poised to be an enormous 12 months for the Mac, probably the most important since Apple unveiled the very first Macintosh in 1984. All of it begins with the rumored launch of Apple’s first new MacBook in years and will finish with an enormous bang because the MacBook Professional will get a serious overhaul. Should you’re planning to purchase a Mac in 2026, you’re in for a deal with. Right here’s what to anticipate from the Mac subsequent 12 months.
Early 2026
M5 MacBook Air
2026 is more likely to begin slowly, as Apple’s hottest laptop computer is slated to get a chip improve to the M5 within the early a part of the 12 months. The present M4 MacBook Air was launched in March 2025, so search for the M5 replace to return across the early a part of spring.
The M5 MacBook Air will make its debut within the early a part of 2026.
Foundry
There probably received’t be any surprises right here. Apple launched the M5 chip with the MacBook Professional in October 2025, and benchmarks present that the M5 gives a little bit of a lift with CPU efficiency however makes larger inroads with GPU velocity. This replace will probably be a chip improve; the remainder of the laptop computer options will probably be the identical as they’re now. Study extra concerning the upcoming M5 MacBook Air.
M5 Professional/M5 Max MacBook Professional
The M5 Professional and Max variations of the MacBook Professional are anticipated within the spring of 2026, probably similtaneously the M5 MacBook Air. And just like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Professional upgrades are anticipated to be chip upgrades solely. Nevertheless, the chips might be considerably upgraded.
The M5 MacBook Professional’s time in Apple’s lineup might be lower brief because of the anticipated M6 launch later within the 12 months.
Foundry
In accordance with experiences, Apple will introduce a brand new chip design with the M5 Professional and Max, the place the CPU and GPU are on separate blocks. This can permit for extra customization choices; for instance, a buyer can get a chip with the bottom configuration of CPU cores and maxed-out GPU cores. Study extra concerning the upcoming M5 Professional/Mac MacBook Professional.
Low-cost MacBook
Right here’s the place issues begin to get actually attention-grabbing. Reviews have swirled for months that Apple is growing an affordable MacBook that may compete out there with Chromebooks and Home windows laptops. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that this laptop computer will ship throughout the first half of 2026.
A budget MacBook will reportedly use an iPhone chip, probably the A19 Professional. Reviews have mentioned it would have a barely smaller show than the 13-inch MacBook Air, and we anticipate it may lack some options discovered within the MacBook Air, together with a number of Thunderbolt 4 ports and HDR.
With the present MacBook Air beginning at $999, we anticipate this new mannequin to value as little as $699. Study extra concerning the low-cost MacBook.
An A19 Professional might be on the coronary heart of Apple’s rumored low-cost laptop computer.
Apple
Mid 2026
Mac Studio
The M5 Max and M5 Extremely Mac Studio are on Apple’s 2026 launch schedule, in accordance to Gurman. Apple may launch these Macs in March, however a June launch at WWDC appears extra probably.
The Mac Studio has changed the Mac Professional as Apple’s top-of-the-line workstation.
Foundry
The Mac Studio isn’t going to see a design change, and its replace could also be solely with its chip. Reviews state that Apple is utilizing a brand new chip design with the high-end M-series chips that options the CPU and GPU on totally different blocks, permitting extra customization choices with CPU and GPU cores. Mac Studio clients could possibly, say, purchase a mannequin with a maxed-out GPU, for instance. Study extra concerning the upcoming Mac Studio.
Studio Show and Professional Show XDR
In accordance with experiences, Apple is lastly going to replace its Studio Show, some 4 years after it debuted. Code numbers for the brand new Studio Show have been uncovered in a pre-release model of iOS 26, with references to a 120Hz refresh fee, help for SDR and HDR modes, and an A19 chip for controlling Spatial Audio and the built-in webcam. Apple debuted the unique Studio Show alongside the Mac Studio in 2022, so it might be launched on the similar time.
As for the Professional Show XDR, Gurman reported that Apple had two new shows in improvement, nevertheless it was unclear if each shows have been totally different fashions of the Studio Show or if one was a Professional Show XDR. Nevertheless, because it’s been greater than six years because the Professional Show was launched, it might make sense for Apple to replace it on the similar time with ProMotion.
The Studio Show may get its first replace since 2022.
Filipe Esposito/Foundry
macOS 27
Apple will preview macOS 27 at WWDC in June, and since macOS 26 featured main UI adjustments, experiences say it is going to be a upkeep launch with a give attention to efficiency and stability and a minimal variety of new options. One factor to maintain an eye fixed out for: Apple is rumored to launch its first touchscreen MacBook Professional (see under), so it’s attainable macOS 27 has some refined UI updates that make on-screen components simpler to make use of with a contact interface.
Late 2026
Touchscreen MacBook Professional
Regardless of a comparatively minor velocity bump early within the 12 months, Apple should still have an enormous replace deliberate for the MacBook Professional within the second half of the 12 months. Subsequent 12 months is the twentieth anniversary of the MacBook, and Apple is reportedly planning a serious celebration. Together with the M6 household of processors, Apple anticipated to introduce two key enhancements to a minimum of the higher-end MacBook Professional fashions: An OLED touchscreen show and the primary new design in 5 years. Study extra concerning the upcoming M6 MacBook Professional.
The remaining
M5 iMac
The M4 iMac was launched a couple of 12 months in the past, however we haven’t gotten any experiences a couple of 2026 replace to the long-lasting all-in-one desktop Mac. Apple might have the iMac on an extended improve cycle, so an improve might not occur till the M6 is on the market. Relying on the timing, an M6 mannequin may arrive in late 2026 or early 2027.
In relation to the iMac in 2026, the rumor mill is dry.
Foundry
We’ll in all probability begin listening to rumors round WWDC time, however for those who’re excited about shopping for an iMac, the present M4 mannequin is a good purchase. Its M4 chip is speedy, it comes with 16GB of RAM, a 12MP Heart Stage digital camera, and a Nano-texture glass possibility.
M5/M5 Professional Mac mini
In accordance with experiences by Gurman, the M5 and M5 Professional Mac mini are on Apple’s launch schedule for 2026. For the reason that M6 is predicted within the second half of 2026, the M5 Mac mini will in all probability be launched within the first half of the 12 months.
The Mac mini will get an improve to the M5 and M5 Professional in 2026.
Simon Jary / Foundry
The present M4 Mac mini, which options the smallest footprint of any Mac, was launched a 12 months in the past. Apple is unlikely to alter the design that was solely simply launched final fall, so the chip will mainly be all that’s new. Study extra concerning the M5 Mac mini.
M5 Extremely Mac Professional
Gurman reported that Apple “has largely written off” the Mac Professional and believes that the Mac Studio addresses the wants of customers who want workstation efficiency. It’s nonetheless operating an M2 Extremely processor, and if it doesn’t get a 2026 or early 2027 replace, we’ll be watching and ready for when it disappears from Apple’s lineup.
The Mac Professional seems to be on its final legs.
Foundry
