CUPERTINO, Calif., Feb 10, 2026, 00:53 (PST)
- Reports indicate Apple is gearing up to launch new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models as soon as the week of March 2.
- The release aligns with the macOS Tahoe 26.3 update and arrives amid limited availability of certain MacBook Pro models.
- A spec bump in March might clear the way for a more significant MacBook Pro redesign featuring OLED displays in 2026.
Apple is gearing up to release updated MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models as soon as the week of March 2, according to a report. The refresh comes as consumers await the latest M-series chips. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned the expected timing in his Power On newsletter, Macworld noted. Macworld
The timing is key since Apple’s top-tier MacBook Pro models have been scarce for weeks, the report said—a familiar sign ahead of a refresh. It also highlights macOS Tahoe 26.3, the upcoming point update for Apple’s Mac OS, which is tied to the new laptops.
Scheduling the event in March would align Apple with its typical spring timing and help stabilize a lineup that’s seen inconsistent chip releases. It would also free up room later in the year for a major MacBook Pro refresh, which multiple reports link to new display technology.
The report mentions MacBook Pro models equipped with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, as well as a MacBook Air running on the M5 chip. Apple has yet to announce a hardware event for March.
Apple gave the MacBook Air a refresh in March 2025, introducing the M4 chip and establishing roughly a yearly update cycle for the model. That same update also dropped the starting price to $999, the company announced then. Apple
Apple offers a 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the base M5 chip, which launched in October. The company positions the M5 as a significant upgrade for on-device AI capabilities. “M5 marks the next big leap in AI for the Mac,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, at the time. Apple
9to5Mac suggests the March MacBook Pro update will probably be just a modest speed boost, not a full redesign, leaving room for another refresh later in 2026. The site recalled that in 2023, Apple updated its top-tier laptop twice within the same year. 9To5Mac
A potential 2026 update, should it come, is linked to OLED — a screen tech featuring self-lit pixels for deeper blacks — plus the long-speculated touch support. 9to5Mac suggests Apple might hold onto an M5 Pro variant as a budget option if the revamped M6 model hits the market with a steeper price tag.
Forbes uncovered identifiers in Apple’s iOS 26.3 beta that hint at new MacBook Pro models in the M5 lineup. This adds fuel to the rumor mill that fresh machines are on the horizon. Forbes
Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup goes head-to-head with high-end Windows laptops from Dell and Lenovo, who are rolling out new models featuring the latest Intel and Qualcomm processors designed for on-device AI.
The March timeline hinges on reports and software-cycle hints, not an official Apple statement. Launches could get delayed if macOS updates shift or if component shortages persist longer than anticipated.
Gurman has also pointed to updates for the Mac Studio and Mac mini in 2026, though no firm dates have been mentioned. Right now, the question is if Apple will use the week of March 2 as a Mac launch period — and if it leaves room for a major OLED rollout further down the line.
