Apple’s next wave of Mac hardware may not arrive on the timeline many expected. New reports suggest that both the touchscreen MacBook Pro and the upcoming Mac Studio refresh are being pushed back, with supply constraints across the memory industry now starting to affect Apple’s roadmap.
The shift is not tied to software readiness or design changes. Instead, it comes down to a broader shortage of RAM and SSD components, driven largely by rising demand for AI infrastructure. Apple has managed similar constraints better than most companies so far, but the scale of demand is now forcing adjustments to product timing.
For the Mac Studio, the delay appears relatively short. What was once expected around mid 2026 is now likely to land closer to October. The updated desktop is still expected to focus on performance upgrades, with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips replacing the current mixed generation setup. There are no major design changes expected, which makes this more of a spec refresh than a full redesign.
The bigger shift is happening with the MacBook Pro. Apple is reportedly planning one of its most significant updates to the lineup, including an OLED display, a thinner design, and for the first time, a touchscreen interface. This model is also expected to introduce M6 Pro and M6 Max chips and possibly adopt a Dynamic Island style cutout.
That level of change already positioned the device as a late 2026 or early 2027 release. Now, the timeline is leaning more firmly toward 2027. Current expectations suggest a launch window around January at the earliest, assuming supply conditions stabilize enough for Apple to meet demand.
Interestingly, the delay does not reflect any slowdown in software development. Touch optimized features for macOS 27 are still on track, which indicates that the hardware bottleneck is the only real issue. Apple is likely avoiding a launch scenario where supply cannot keep up, especially for a high demand product with a redesigned experience.
The broader context matters here. AI data centers are consuming massive amounts of memory and storage, which is tightening global supply. That has ripple effects across consumer hardware, including premium laptops and desktops that rely on high performance components.
For now, the takeaway is simple. The next Mac Studio is still expected this year, just later than planned, while the touchscreen MacBook Pro is shaping up to be a 2027 product. If Apple sticks to this direction, the upgrade cycle for Macs will feel slower, but more substantial when it does land.
(via Bloomberg)
