Apple’s MacBook Pro could undergo a major redesign in 2025, according to a prominent industry analyst. The news comes just days before the company is set to announce new MacBook Pro models at its “Scary Fast” October event.
The rumor comes from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Write on X (formerly Twitter), Kuo argued that Apple’s MacBook Pro laptops, powered by the M2 chip, have led to a “significant decline in MacBook shipments in 2023.” To remedy this, Kuo believes that Apple will launch MacBooks with the M3 chip earlier than expected (i.e. in October) to revive interest in the device.
However, if the M3 MacBook Pro can’t do that, and MacBook sales continue to decline, Apple may have to do something more important, Kuo believes. As the analyst puts it, “If even the M3 can’t boost MacBook shipments, I think the likelihood of the all-new MacBook Pro being introduced in 2025 could increase.”
Additionally, Kuo noted that Apple might also introduce “a more affordable MacBook model to boost shipments,” although the company has not yet made a decision on that point. This can be a welcome addition if you are working on a tighter budget.
Analysis: wait or buy now?
At this time, we don’t know exactly what this proposed redesign might entail. However, there are rumors that Apple is looking to replace the mini-LED screens in its high-end MacBook Pros with OLED panels, so we could be looking at that for the 2025 redesign. That said, other reports have the OLED MacBook at the earliest linked before 2026.
Either way, it raises a tough question: should you wait for the new MacBooks or buy one now?
Let’s first look at the arguments for buying sooner rather than later. It’s widely tipped that the next MacBook Pro – launching at the Scary Fast event or in early 2024 – will come with a chip from Apple’s upcoming M3 generation. This will be built on the same 3-nanometer process as the A17 Pro in the iPhone 15 Pro, which is expected to deliver notable improvements in performance and efficiency. That’s a good reason to buy now.
But a redesign is a redesign, and it could mean major changes to the MacBook Pro’s form factor and capabilities. We can’t say what those changes will be, but if you’re more interested in the total package than just chip performance, it might be worth waiting.
Ultimately, we’ll have to see what happens with the MacBook Pro redesign. If Kuo is right and ultimately trusts Apple to improve MacBook sales, it may be worth pursuing.