La shortage of memory and high-performance chips This is forcing Apple to rethink the timeline for its most ambitious upcoming Mac releases. The new next-generation Mac Studio and the highly anticipated MacBook Pro with a touchscreen are directly affected by supply chain tensions exacerbated by the rise of artificial intelligence.
Industry sources and leaks from analysts such as Mark Gurman points to significant delays This applies to both the company's professional desktop and the first MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen. What a few months ago seemed like a relatively aggressive refresh plan is now becoming a more cautious strategy, with dates shifting several months—or even more than a year—from the initial projections.
Memory shortage throws Apple's roadmap off track
The technology market is going through a time in which the demand for high-density memory for AI it has skyrocketedArtificial intelligence platforms, data centers, and advanced device manufacturers are competing for the same components, creating bottlenecks that are severely impacting Apple's plans for its high-end 'Ultra' range.
In this context, Apple is forced to revise a plan that included launch a new and improved Mac Studio and the touch-enabled MacBook Pro within a relatively short timeframe. The problem isn't just volume, but also specifications: the type of memory Apple needs for its most powerful chips is in high demand and can't be easily replaced with generic components.
The Cupertino company bases a large part of its value proposition on the unified memory system integrated directly into its chipsThis approach offers significant advantages in performance and efficiency, but it relies on a very specific and difficult-to-replace type of component. When that link fails, the entire production chain is compromised.
According to leaks, this situation has led Apple to be particularly cautious when announcing specific presentation dates. Before setting a schedule, the company wants to make sure that it will be able to supply the market with sufficient stock and thus avoid shortages as soon as the products are released onto the European market.
Current Mac Studio: maximum power awaiting its successor
In Europe and in Spain, the Next-generation Mac Studio is now available Since last March. This compact desktop, aimed at professionals and content creators who need a lot of power, is marketed with configurations that integrate M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips, reaching memory figures that until recently seemed reserved for traditional workstations.
The versions with M4 Max offer up to 128GB unified memorywhile the variants with M3 Ultra can reach up to 256 GB. At the top end of the range, the device supports configurations of up to 512GB of RAM and SSD up to 16 TB, in addition to Thunderbolt 5 connectivity and support for managing up to eight 8K monitors with transfer speeds of 120 Gb/s.
In the Spanish market, the entry price of the Mac Studio is around 2.329 euros for the basic configurationsThis clearly places it in the professional segment. John Ternus, Apple's vice president of hardware, has even described this model as the most powerful Mac ever created, a statement that aligns with its target user profile: video studios, developers, 3D creators, and AI professionals.
Apple's plans involved To strengthen this range with a revamped version based on the M5 chipwith a special emphasis on artificial intelligence workloads and advanced video processing. This update, which was initially expected in the summer and was even considered as a possible announcement at WWDC in June, has now reportedly been pushed back to October.
New Mac Studio delayed: from summer to fall
According to information published by Gurman and other analysts, the new Mac Studio would upgrade its heart to M5 Max and M5 Ultra chipsMaintaining a similar design to the current model, but with a significant leap in performance for AI tasks, simulation, and complex video editing.
Apple's initial idea was to link the arrival of the revamped Mac Studio with the widespread adoption of its new generations of chips, creating a family of high-end products heavily focused on Apple Intelligence and in the acceleration of local artificial intelligence models. However, pressure on memory supply has forced a change of pace.
Part of the memory and chip stock that Apple had planned to dedicate to this desktop computer is reportedly going to other devices already on the market, something that fits with the company's decision to to keep current MacBook Pro models fully competitive with recently launched M5, M5 Pro and M5 Max chips.
The result is that the The announcement of the M5-based Mac Studio would be postponed until OctoberProvided the supply situation doesn't worsen. For professional users in Spain and the rest of Europe, this means that the model launched in March will remain the benchmark desktop option within the Mac ecosystem for a few more months.
The touch-enabled MacBook Pro is pushed back to 2027
While the Mac Studio's delay can be considered moderate, the case of the The MacBook Pro with a touchscreen is considerably more drastic.Apple had been working on this transition for some time, which involves combining the brand's classic laptop experience with an OLED screen with touch capabilities, but a lack of adequate memory has changed priorities.
According to leaks compiled in Mark Gurman's 'Power On' newsletter, The launch window would move from late 2026 to early 2027In other words, users who were expecting to see these devices in the fall of 2026 would have to wait at least a few more months before they could get their hands on one.
This touchscreen MacBook Pro would opt for a combination of Tandem OLED display, slimmer design and new M6 chips in its Pro and Max variants. These configurations would aim to offer a leap in energy efficiency, image quality, and AI performance, placing them above current models on all fronts.
In terms of price positioning, everything points to this laptop falling within a certain range. clearly superior to that of the MacBook Pro with M5 chipswhose price starts at approximately €1.929 in Spain. The new touch version would thus be positioned at an even more premium level, aimed at those who need—or want—a more direct integration between the touch interface and the macOS environment.
Current MacBook Pro: M5, long battery life, and Apple Intelligence
While awaiting the touchscreen model, Apple maintains its commitment to the professional segment with the MacBook Pro equipped with M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chipsThese laptops, which are already on the market, have been designed to take full advantage of Apple Intelligence capabilities and new features linked to artificial intelligence.
The company boasts that these devices offer up to 24 hours of autonomyThis figure, in practice, places them among the laptops with the longest battery life in their category. This feature is especially relevant for those who work on the go, both in Spain and the rest of Europe.
In its standard form, the MacBook Pro integrates a screen 14,2-inch Liquid Retinawith high resolution and good color reproduction. However, the jump to a touchscreen model with Tandem OLED would add additional levels of contrast, deeper blacks, and more controlled brightness—key factors for those who work with video, photography, or design.
The fundamental difference between the two approaches lies in the fact that the The current model maintains the traditional laptop approachThe keyboard and trackpad are the main focus, while the touch version will introduce a new paradigm of interaction directly on the screen, something Apple has been postponing for years and is now facing at a delicate time for the supply chain.
How unified memory influences the stock crisis
One of the key technical factors that explain the current situation is the unified memory model that Apple uses in its chipsInstead of using interchangeable RAM modules, the company integrates the memory directly with the processor, reducing latency and improving both performance and energy efficiency.
This architecture, highly valued by developers and professionals for the fluidity it offers under heavy workloadsThis has its downside: it limits the possibilities of resorting to generic memories or third-party solutions when supply problems arise. It's not so simple to "pull a chain of parts" to replace one component with another.
At a time when artificial intelligence demands high-capacity, high-speed memoryThe pressure on these types of components is enormous. Large cloud platforms and specialized hardware manufacturers control a large portion of production, leaving less room for companies like Apple to adjust their schedules when something goes wrong.
For that reason, the company prefers to make sure that, once it officially announces a new Mac Studio or a touch-enabled MacBook Pro, It will be able to supply sufficient units without causing frustration among buyers.A launch with few units, followed by long waiting periods, could damage the brand's image and affect its sales in key markets such as Europe.
Quality and reliability above the frenetic pace of releases
The shift Apple is making in its calendar suggests a A clearer commitment to stability and quality as opposed to constant renewalFor years, one of the recurring criticisms from users has been the pace of the brand's updates, which created the feeling that the devices became outdated in a short time.
In the current context, the company would be opting for Don't force the machine during a memory crisisThis avoids rushing launches that could lead to stock issues or even defects resulting from overly competitive production. From the end user's perspective, this translates into products that are likely more polished and have fewer problems.
This strategy also fits with a vision in which the Macs are establishing themselves as long-term work toolsThis is especially true in professional sectors that can't afford to change equipment every few months. By spacing out major new releases, Apple also reduces the perception of planned obsolescence that is often attributed to it.
At the same time, the company continues to invest in technologies it has been developing for years, such as OLED panels and high-quality touchscreensThe arrival of these solutions to the Mac range does not seem to be an improvised decision, but rather the culmination of a process that has been slowly developing since 2015, and which now encounters the temporary obstacle of a lack of components.
The outlook for the coming months invites users to Be patient, but also keep a close eye on the company's movements.Between a current Mac Studio that already offers very high performance figures and a future touch-enabled MacBook Pro that promises to change the way we interact with macOS, Apple is adjusting its pace so as not to stumble in the race for artificial intelligence.
