Apple to Price Redesigned MacBook Pro Near $3,000 Next Week

Consumers planning to upgrade their laptops next week face a trade-off between hardware design and raw computing power. Apple is scheduled to hold its "Pro and tell" event on October 28, where the company is expected to unveil a completely redesigned MacBook Pro. According to reporting from 9to5Mac, the new device will not offer any increase in processing speed over the models currently on the market.

The physical changes to the laptop appear substantial. Rumors describe a new industrial design that makes the body lighter and slightly thinner than previous versions. The display is expected to switch to OLED technology and support touch input, a feature not previously standard on the MacBook Pro line. The design is also reported to remove the notch at the top of the screen, replacing it with a Dynamic Island. Some reports mention a C2 cellular modem as a potential addition, though this remains less certain.

The lack of performance gains stems from a shift in Apple's silicon roadmap. Mark Gurman's reporting indicates the company is skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max processors entirely. Instead, Apple is fast-tracking the M7 Pro and M7 Max chips for release in 2027. Consequently, the October 28 MacBook Pro will launch using the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips that first appeared nearly eight months ago. This leaves the new model in a gap between chip generations without a speed upgrade.

Pricing for the new machine remains a key variable for buyers. 9to5Mac suggests the redesign could carry a premium, potentially pushing the starting price to approximately $2,999. This price point would require customers to pay more for a device that matches the speed of its predecessor. The outlet noted that while Apple might replace the current M5 Pro and M5 Max models at the same price, that outcome is unlikely given the current memory crisis in the industry.

The company must now market a device that prioritizes form over function to professional users. These buyers may have delayed their purchases earlier this year while waiting for a speed boost. Apple has not yet confirmed the specific details of the hardware or pricing. The October 28 event will reveal the final specifications and the price tag for the new silicon-based laptop.