MacBook Pro Redesign: New Touch Screen, Same M5 Speed

Apple is preparing to sell a new MacBook Pro with a starting price of approximately $2,999, but buyers will receive no increase in processing power. The upcoming model relies on the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max silicon, meaning professional users will pay a premium for a lighter chassis and a touch-enabled OLED screen rather than faster performance.

The current M5 Pro and M5 Max chips were introduced nearly eight months ago. Apple is reportedly skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max generations entirely to fast-track M7 Pro and M7 Max processors for 2027. This strategic gap places the new hardware in a transitional period where the physical design changes significantly, but the internal speed remains identical to the models currently on sale.

The device is scheduled to debut on October 28 at an event titled "Pro and tell." Rumors indicate the laptop will feature a new industrial design that is both lighter and slightly thinner than the current version. The display will switch to OLED technology and support touch input, a first for the MacBook Pro line. The top of the screen will drop the traditional notch in favor of a Dynamic Island.

A C2 cellular modem has also been floated as a potential feature, though this remains less certain than the display and weight changes. If confirmed, the machine would represent a substantial step forward in form factor. However, the lack of a chip upgrade means the new unit will match the speed of the laptops available since late 2025.

Pricing details are not yet final, but reports suggest the redesign could carry a higher cost. The starting price of $2,999 reflects a potential premium over previous models. Apple may replace the current M5 Pro and M5 Max models at the same price point, though analysts consider this unlikely given current market conditions in memory components.

Apple has not officially confirmed the specifications. The October 28 event will determine how much of the reported information is accurate. The company will need to justify the purchase to customers who delayed buying an M5 model earlier this year, relying on the new design and screen technology to drive interest.

The new laptop will launch in a gap between chip generations. Apple is bypassing the M6 series to focus on M7 development for 2027. This decision results in a product that looks and feels different but performs the same as the current lineup.