Apple is preparing for one of the biggest recent refreshes of its laptop lineup, with the development of Four new MacBooks that revolve around the M5 chip and a more affordable model Designed to break down the barriers to entry into the macOS ecosystem, the roadmap aims to cater to everyone from the user who simply needs a computer for everyday tasks to the professional who pushes their machine to its limits with demanding projects.
According to industry sources, the company plans Combine an affordable MacBook, new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with M5, and a future Pro with an OLED display and M6 chip.All of this with staggered releases throughout the same cycle, a strategy that would allow Apple to maintain media attention and adapt to different budgets, also in Spain and the rest of Europe.
A basic MacBook to compete in the education sector
One of the most striking moves would be the arrival of a An entry-level MacBook priced significantly lower than the MacBook Air.It's aimed at the education market and those looking for a simple laptop for everyday tasks. The idea is to directly compete with the Chromebooks and cheap Windows laptops that currently dominate many European classrooms.
Leaks suggest that this model would be positioned in the range of $700-$800 on the international marketThis could translate into an aggressive positioning in Europe against other manufacturers' mid-range offerings. It would be aimed at students, educational institutions, small and medium-sized businesses, and home users who have previously ruled out a Mac due to budget constraints.
To be able to lower the price, Apple would opt for a Simpler design, with a metal chassis but less sophisticated than the current Air and Pro models. It's said to have a screen of around 13 inches with conventional LCD technology, sufficient for office use, online classes, and video playback, but without the advanced features of the Mini-LED or OLED panels in the high-end range.
Instead of assembling the M5 family, this entry-level laptop could resort to a variant of the A18 Pro chip adapted to macOSInheriting many of the optimizations seen in the iPhone, this processor would offer more than enough power for browsing, schoolwork, email, video calls, and streaming, while also maintaining very low energy consumption.
Connectivity would also follow that cost-containment approach: few USB-C ports and no Thunderboltreserving the most advanced options for the higher-end models. Even so, it would allow connecting external monitors and basic peripherals, something crucial in classrooms, small offices, and homes where the laptop is used as the primary computer.
One step below the MacBook Air
This movement would create a new step below the MacBook Air in the catalogThis would shorten the gap that currently exists between an iPad with a keyboard and a Mac laptop. For many Spanish and European users who already work or study with tablets, having a more affordable MacBook could facilitate the transition to a full desktop system.
Analysts agree that Apple will have to Balance the technical specifications very carefully to avoid cannibalizing the Air.The company would reserve better displays, more ports, higher sustained performance, and likely more configuration options for the MacBook Air, making it clear that the new budget model is the gateway to the Mac world.
In the case of Europe, and especially in countries like Spain, the objective would be to gain ground in a education sector where Chromebooks and low-cost Windows laptops They have become established by leveraging their price and institutional agreements. An entry-level MacBook would allow schools, colleges, and universities to consider implementing macOS without significantly increasing the cost per student.
In the medium term, the strategy aims for more than just one-off sales: accustom a new generation of users to the macOS environmentSomeone who starts with an affordable MacBook in high school or college could consider upgrading to an Air or a Pro with M5 in their professional life, remaining within the Apple ecosystem.
MacBook Air: a generational leap with the M5 chip
While the entry-level model opens the door, the MacBook Air will remain the benchmark for those looking for portability, good battery life and solid performanceThe next update would incorporate the new M5 chip, manufactured by TSMC with a second-generation 3-nanometer process that aims for more power with lower consumption.
Internal estimates from various sources indicate that CPU performance could improve by between 12% and 15%. Compared to the previous generation, the GPU would see a jump of up to 36%. For the user, this would translate into smoother performance when editing photos, creating light videos, playing casual games, or working with multiple applications open simultaneously.
Another key point of the M5 will be the Neural Engine, the block dedicated to artificial intelligence tasksmacOS is increasingly integrating AI-based features—from real-time audio transcription to assisted editing tools—and the new chip will allow many of these tasks to run locally, with less reliance on the cloud and less impact on battery life.
In principle, Air would maintain The design introduced in recent generations, with a slim case, low weight, and reduced bezelsThe focus would remain on a silent laptop, without fans in many configurations, aimed at students, mobile workers, and users who work remotely from home and value both performance and comfort.
Regarding the price, Apple's intention would be to keep it at a strip similar to that of the current MacBook AirThis solidifies its position as a "reasonable premium" option within the range. Below it would be the new budget model, and above it the professional configurations with the M5 Pro and M5 Max.
MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max for intensive professional use
At the top of the range will be the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chipsThese courses are geared towards those who work daily with heavy workloads. We're talking about 4K and 8K video editing, complex 3D projects, large-scale software development, or music production with very demanding libraries.
These M5 variants will feature more CPU and GPU cores, as well as increased memory bandwidthThis will reduce bottlenecks when opening large projects or running multiple professional applications simultaneously. Improvements are also expected in SSD speeds and unified memory configurations, crucial for those who need to move large volumes of data without slowdowns.
Everything indicates that Apple It will retain the current MacBook Pro chassis.With a Liquid Retina XDR display, a high-fidelity sound system, and a collection of ports including HDMI, an SD card reader, MagSafe, and several USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support, this combination of performance and connectivity has been well received by creative studios, production companies, and agencies in Spain and the rest of Europe.
In terms of price, the configurations with M5 Pro would be positioned as follows: entry point to the professional segmentMeanwhile, the M5 Max options would remain as an alternative for those who prioritize maximum graphics and processing power. Prices would be similar to the current Pro models, starting around $1.999 for the 14-inch versions in the US market, with the corresponding adjustment in euros.
These teams will continue to be a a common tool in fields such as audiovisual production, design, architecture, or app developmentwhere the combination of macOS, optimized software and long battery life is a major selling point against Windows workstations.
The revolution yet to come: a MacBook Pro with an OLED screen and an M6 chip
Beyond the initial wave of devices with M5, Apple is already looking to the next step with a next-generation MacBook Pro that would debut an OLED screen in 14- and 16-inch formats. This technology has already become established in the iPhone and certain iPad models, and is now preparing to make the leap to the brand's professional laptops.
OLED panels offer True blacks, virtually infinite contrast, and more accurate color reproduction than traditional LCD screens, and even current Mini-LED displays. For photographers, videographers, designers, and content creators, this means being able to work with a more faithful image representation, which is crucial when color is an essential part of the work.
Some leaks suggest that this future model could become the first MacBook with a touchscreenThis would represent a significant shift in Apple's laptop philosophy if it's ultimately confirmed. Direct interaction with the screen would open new avenues for illustrators, video editors, and designers, who could combine the physical keyboard with touch gestures without always needing an external tablet.
To bring this high-resolution OLED display and potential touch functions to life, the company would reserve the arrival of the M6 chip as the engine of this new generationThis processor, still unreleased, would be designed with special attention to graphics performance, AI task handling, and efficient management of next-generation panels, while keeping temperature and power consumption under control.
This MacBook Pro with OLED would be positioned at the top of the range, both in terms of performance and price, with a clear positioning as a technological "showcase" productIts role would be to showcase the capabilities of Apple hardware and set the bar that future models will eventually reach.
The strategic importance of the M5 family and AI in the new MacBooks
Behind all these new developments is the evolution of Apple Silicon and, specifically, the M5 chip familyManufactured using a second-generation 3-nanometer process, these processors aim to simultaneously improve computing power, graphics capabilities, and energy efficiency, reinforcing the advantage Apple has gained over many laptops based on x86 architectures.
The anticipated performance gains—a double-digit jump in CPU performance and up to 36% in GPU performance—not only will they allow you to work on more demanding projects, but they'll also help make everyday tasks feel more efficient, even on the Air model. For the end user, this means less waiting when exporting a video, applying complex filters to a photo, or opening large spreadsheets.
A central role will be played by Reinforced Neural Engine, a key component for artificial intelligence functions Apple is integrating these features into macOS and its applications. From automatic content classification to more contextual assistants, the ability to run these processes locally offers advantages in privacy, response speed, and offline functionality.
Meanwhile, the decision to reserve A-series chips, such as the A18 Pro, for the more affordable model This fits into a strategy of reusing architectures already proven in mobile phones and tablets. In this way, the company can better control the costs of the entry-level MacBook without sacrificing smooth performance and good battery life.
For European users, all this deployment translates into Quieter laptops, with less heat generation and very competitive battery lifeThese factors are increasingly important in offices, educational centers, and homes where laptops are used for many hours a day.
Staggered schedule and focus on various user types
Although Apple has not officially confirmed specific dates, leaks paint a picture staggered release schedule for the new MacBooksThe goal would be to maintain a continuous flow of new features and target each presentation to a different type of user.
The first to arrive on the market would be the MacBook Air with M5 chip and MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Maxwhich would renew the current user base and offer a performance boost to those who need to change equipment without waiting for a complete redesign.
In a second phase, the following would be presented: new affordable MacBook focused on the education sector and tight budgetsWith an eye on the "back to school" campaigns in Europe and other regions, this is a key period in which families, schools, and public administrations plan the purchase of devices for the following school year.
Later on, there would be MacBook Pro with OLED display and M6 chipThis model is destined to be the flagship product for the holiday season. It doesn't aim to be the best-selling Mac by volume, but rather the one that sets the technological benchmark for the range and anticipates the future direction of the brand's other laptops.
Taken together, the plans known so far point to a MacBook range is wider and more segmented than in previous yearsA basic model that lowers the entry price, a more powerful Air without losing its lightweight feel, Pro models with M5 chips designed for intensive professional use, and, on the horizon, a Pro with OLED and M6 chips as the flagship model. If Apple meets the deadlines and specifications indicated by the leaks, the next laptop cycle could significantly change how the company competes in the European market, both in terms of performance and the variety of options and their adaptation to different budget levels.