In summary:
- Macworld reports that new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are expected to launch imminently, pending the release of macOS 26.3.
- Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman indicates these devices are already staged in warehouses and ready for distribution once the operating system update exits beta testing.
- The M5 Pro and M5 Max chips will offer more flexible CPU and GPU configuration options, with Apple updating its online store to support enhanced customization choices.
If you’ve been waiting for the M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pros to drop, the wait could be over soon. In a new report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman provided specific insight as to when the laptops will be released. “The new MacBook Pros have already been staged in shipping warehouses globally, ready for release,” says Gurman.
So what’s the holdup? Apple has decided to ship the laptops with macOS 26.3, which is currently in its third beta and close to being released. Sometimes Apple will go to beta 4 or even beta 5, but that’s a rarity we see with major releases, not with incremental OS updates.
Beta 3 was released last week, and Apple often releases new betas weekly. When Apple switches from “beta” to “release Candidate” status, it generally indicates that the official release is imminent. In any case, if Apple updates the 26.3 beta this week, we’ll get a better idea of when the laptops will arrive. Apple generally releases new iOS updates on a Monday and starts shipping new Macs on Fridays after a preorder period, so the laptops could land as early as this week.
The new laptops are expected to feature M5 Pro and M5 Max chips with a new chip design that allows more flexibility with CPU and GPU configuration. For example, a customer could decide to get a base M5 Pro CPU, but max out the GPU. In past Pro/Max chip setups, customers would have to upgrade the CPU to get the higher GPU configurations. To seemingly prepare for the change, Apple recently revamped the online Mac purchasing system so that the buyer has more flexibility in configuring their purchase.
Gurman also reported that Apple’s current Studio Display is in short supply with retailers, so a new one could also be coming soon alongside updated Mac Studios and Mac minis.
Author: Roman Loyola, Senior Editor, Macworld
Roman is a Macworld Senior Editor with over 30 years of experience covering the tech industry, focusing on the Mac and other products in the Apple ecosystem. He is also the host of the Macworld Podcast. His career started at MacUser, where he received Apple certification as a repair technician (when Apple did that kind of thing). He's also worked for MacAddict, MacLife, and TechTV.