Why You Shouldn’t Buy a MacBook Pro Right Now
Speaking as someone who almost bought one this weekend, if you’re planning on buying a new MacBook Pro right now, don’t. According to inside information obtained by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the new models are coming very soon. This news appeared in the latest issue of Gurman’s Power On newsletter , a frequent and generally reliable source for information on all things Apple. According to the journalist’s sources at the company, the new MacBook Pro models are currently scheduled to arrive as part of the macOS 26.3 release cycle, which runs from February to March.
The new laptops are expected to retain the same form factor but feature more modern chips, most likely the M5 Pro and M5 Max. This means improved performance for power users. Currently, the MacBook Pro is only available with the entry-level M5 processor, and if you need a little more power, you’ll have to settle for either the M4 Pro or M4 Max, both of which are from the previous generation. Furthermore, the base M5 processor is unavailable for the 16-inch MacBook Pro, although this is unlikely to change with the new version. If Gurman’s sources are correct, the new MacBooks will arrive slightly earlier this year than expected, at least based on the last time the MacBook Pro received professional chips , which was October 2024. However, if you try to buy a MacBook Pro with an M4 Max processor from Apple’s website right now, you’ll notice delivery delays until late February, and in some cases, early March. Gurman also claims that, according to his sources, the current MacBook Pro model is starting to sell out in Apple stores worldwide. Both of these facts seem to indicate that Apple is no longer bothering to replenish its dwindling stock, hinting at the imminent launch of a new model.
This is great news for power Apple users looking to squeeze a little more performance out of their computers, but I was a little disappointed by the lack of mention of OLED screens or touchscreens in this report, which have been rumored to enter production this year. However, even based on these early rumors, early 2026 would be optimistic for these features—we could expect them towards the end of this year or early next year.
Apple users may be concerned about the release of new models during the ongoing RAM crisis , which could theoretically lead to higher prices. However, according to a separate report from another prominent Apple insider, Ming-Chi Kuo, the company appears to be planning to absorb rising RAM costs itself rather than pass them on to consumers, at least for the next iPhone. I can’t say whether the same will happen with the new MacBook, but since Apple will likely stop selling previous models after the new ones are released, it seems quite likely to me.
Regarding previous models, even if you don’t necessarily need the latest Apple chips, I’d still advise holding off on purchasing until the new models are announced. That’s because existing M4 Pro and M4 Max units on sites like Amazon will likely drop in price immediately afterward. According to price tracking sites , these models haven’t been affected by the RAM crisis yet, and they’re popular during sales like Prime Day. The fact that they’re no longer the latest and greatest means discounts will likely become even more common as these retailers look to clear out remaining inventory and give shoppers a compelling reason not to opt for Apple’s slightly newer chips instead.