Sunday, 11 October 2026

Entry-level MacBook Pro gets M7 chip and new chassis in 2027

Bloomberg reports Apple plans a fresh design for the entry-level MacBook Pro in early 2027, with an M7 chip and a new chassis alongside higher-end models.

MacBook Pro
Photo: Jack Baty from Grand Rapids, MI / CC BY-SA 2.0 (modified)

The short version

  • Bloomberg reports Apple is preparing a redesigned entry-level MacBook Pro (code-named K104) for early 2027.
  • The redesign would bring the new chassis and likely OLED touch displays to the lower-cost model sooner than past redesigns.
  • Higher-end MacBook Pro models are expected to debut with new M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, while the entry-level model at the time would use the M7.
  • Currently available entry-level MacBook Pro starts at $1,999; the new design could come with a higher price in line with Apple’s typical strategy.
Quick read · 1 min

Apple is reportedly planning a redesign for the entry-level MacBook Pro in early 2027, bringing a new chassis and possibly OLED touch displays to the budget model. The high-end MacBook Pro lineup is also expected to refresh with newer M chips (M5 Pro/Max) around the same period.

This could mean better features at around today’s price for everyday buyers, plus a more uniform design language across the MacBook Pro family. Pricing for the new design isn’t set, but the current entry-level price remains $1,999.

  • The entry-level is expected to lead the redesign in early 2027.
  • Chips: M7 for the entry-level; M5 Pro/Max for higher-end models.
  • Official details awaiting Apple confirmation.

The big redesign for Apple's MacBook Pro line isn’t just for the high end. New reporting suggests the entry-level MacBook Pro will also get the redesign and a newer chip next year, with a broader refresh arriving in early 2027. The entry-level model, code-named K104, could adopt the same design language as the higher-end Pro machines that Apple is expected to launch in the near term, and it may bring features like an OLED display and touch support to the budget model as part of the overhaul.

Bloomberg has the detail, noting the timeline could be tight: a redesigned entry model arriving in the first half of next year, followed by a higher-end redesign later in 2027. The plan would follow Apple’s pattern of separating the cheaper and pricier Pro lines, but with a much shorter gap between generations this time around.

Key chip details in the report point to Apple skipping a mid-cycle M6 refresh in favor of an M7 platform for the entry-level laptop, while the top end of the line would move to M5 Pro and M5 Max in the near term. If the rumor proves true, we could see a combination of thinner chassis, new display tech, and the standard Pro-level features spreading down the line sooner than fans have expected.

Pricing and exact specifications aren’t officially confirmed yet. The current entry-level MacBook Pro starts at $1,999, and Apple typically aligns any new design with a price nearby those levels or higher when moving to newer chips. Until Apple confirms specifics, think of this as a credible rumor that could reshape how affordable the redesign feels to everyday buyers.

01

Which models get the redesign first

According to the report, the entry-level MacBook Pro will receive the new design first, then the higher-end models are expected to follow with a new design later in 2027. The high-end models are also expected to debut with newer M chips (M5 Pro and M5 Max) instead of sticking to a mid-generation update.

A laptop sitting on a desk in a bright workspace
02

What this means for price and value

The article notes the current entry-level MacBook Pro sits at $1,999. Apple's redesigns often come with adjusted pricing, but exact figures for the new design weren't disclosed. If Apple sticks to its usual practice, the redesigned entry-level model could command a higher price than today's base model, especially if OLED and touch features are included.

03

Why this matters for you

If you're shopping for a MacBook Pro in the next year or two, a quicker design refresh for the entry level could mean better features at a similar price sooner than you might expect. It also hints at a more unified design language across the Pro family, which could simplify choosing a machine that fits your work needs.

Side view of a laptop with a slim profile and keyboard open
04

What happens next

Apple has not confirmed these details yet. If the rumor holds, we could hear more about timelines and exact specs in early to mid 2027. Until then, plan for the possibility of an entry-level redesign arriving in the first half of next year, with more details to come closer to launch.

05

Quick answers

Will the entry-level MacBook Pro get a redesign?

Yes, according to Bloomberg-based reporting, with a design similar to higher-end models and faster chips expected later.

When would it arrive?

Bloomberg says as early as the first half of 2027 for the redesigned entry-level model, with higher-end updates following in 2027.

What chip will it use?

The report suggests the entry-level model will use an M7 chip, while higher-end models may get M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in the near term.

You're reading the quick version.