Apple Plans a Design Refresh for Entry-Level MacBook Pro

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported on Apple’s plans to evolve its product lineup over the next 12 months. According to Engadget’s July 1 report, Apple is expected to give the entry-level MacBook Pro a complete design overhaul in the first half of 2027. Specifically, the 14-inch base model will reportedly adopt a look that aligns with the high-end models set to be announced later this fall.

Redesigning the Entry-Level MacBook Pro

The current entry-level MacBook Pro features a 14-inch display and is powered by the M4 series chip, housed in a chassis design shared with the higher-priced Pro/Max models. This latest refresh is likely to extend that same design language to the baseline model as well. According to Gurman’s sources, the redesign is planned for implementation between the first and second quarters of 2027.

Arrival of the Touchscreen MacBook

Gurman also hinted at the inclusion of Apple’s first-ever touchscreen MacBook in the updated product lineup. While earlier rumors suggested touchscreen functionality could debut with the M6 generation of laptops, this latest report offers a more concrete timeline for the product’s potential release. A MacBook capable of touch input would likely entail significant changes to macOS’s user interface and is seen as a challenging project, partly because of the potential overlap with iPad functionalities.

New iPad Pro Models

Gurman’s sources also revealed that Apple is testing four new iPad Pro models. While specific details about these new models remain scarce, they are expected to maintain the current 11-inch and 13-inch sizes while focusing on performance enhancements. Since the introduction of OLED displays in 2024, the iPad Pro lineup has not undergone any significant updates, making the anticipated spring 2027 refresh highly awaited.

A Product Avalanche in Spring

In the spring of 2026, Apple launched the MacBook Neo, along with new iPhones, iPads, and MacBook Pros, all within the span of a single week. A similar flurry of announcements is expected in the spring of 2027, with a mix of entry-level products and potentially surprising announcements. For the iPhone lineup, forecasts include the base model of the iPhone 18 and updates to the iPhone Air. Additionally, Gurman noted that Apple might break tradition by skipping the M6 Pro/Max generation and directly advancing to M7 silicon. This approach could substantially boost AI processing capabilities, highlighting the company’s flexibility in its chip development roadmap.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, Apple’s 2027 spring product lineup could mark a significant shift in the company’s portfolio with the refreshed entry-level MacBook Pro, updated iPad Pro, and the introduction of a new product category in the touchscreen MacBook. The touchscreen MacBook, in particular, has the potential to fundamentally transform how users interact with macOS, potentially influencing app developers to rethink user interface designs. Additionally, unifying the design of entry-level models with premium ones could enhance their resale value in secondary markets.

From a long-term perspective, the possibility of Apple skipping the M6 Pro/Max generation is noteworthy. This move reflects a trend toward shortened chip development cycles and increasing demand for processors optimized for AI workloads. If Apple manages to effectively integrate touchscreen capabilities with advanced AI processing in the M7, the boundaries between MacBook and iPad could blur even further, potentially redefining the role of computing devices. However, it remains to be seen how successfully Apple can establish software support for the touchscreen MacBook and differentiate it from the existing iPad lineup.

References

• Apple is reportedly planning a visual refresh of the entry-level MacBook Pro next year - Engadget — Published on July 1, 2026