It has been suggested that Apple may accelerate the design transition for its entry-level MacBook Pro lineup this time around. According to information shared by Bloomberg columnist Mark Gurman, the company is working on an entry-level MacBook Pro model with an M7 chip and a refreshed design for the spring of 2027.
The model, reportedly being developed under the codename K104, is expected to come in a 14-inch form factor and adopt a design language closer to that of the high-end MacBook Pro models. If this claim holds true, Apple will have brought its new design language to more affordably positioned models in a shorter timeframe compared to previous years.
DESIGN TRANSITION MAY ACCELERATE
In the past, Apple used new MacBook Pro designs first in high-end models before bringing them to the entry-level. The 14-inch MacBook Pro was introduced in 2021 with M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, while the entry-level model retained the old 13-inch design until 2023. A similar delay was seen in the arrival of the Touch Bar to the entry-level model following the design change in 2016.
According to the new claim, the gap could be reduced to about six months this time. While high-end MacBook Pro models are expected to be refreshed with touchscreen support between the end of the year and early 2027, the entry-level model is said to follow a similar design path in the spring of 2027.
Expectations include a thinner chassis, an OLED screen, and design elements similar to the Dynamic Island. However, it is not yet clear whether all of these features will come to the entry-level model. No official statement has been made by Apple regarding the matter.
On the hardware side, it is reported that Apple could offer an entry-level MacBook Pro with an M6 chip and the current design in the fall of 2026, followed by a transition to the new design with an M7 chip in the spring of 2027. On the high-end side, models with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips are expected to be refreshed in the fall of 2027.
Rising costs due to memory shortages in the industry and increasing laptop prices may boost interest in more accessible MacBook Pro options. For this reason, the entry-level model with the M7 chip is expected to be closely followed by Apple users in terms of both design innovation and price positioning.
News Source: 12punto
