A new rumor suggests Apple’s next high-end Macs could be delayed due to a global memory chip shortage, which is increasingly affecting the PC industry.
According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman cited in recent coverage, the shortage may push back the launch of both the next MacBook Pro and Mac Studio models.
The expected impact is as follows:
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The next Mac Studio, originally anticipated around mid-2026, is now more likely to arrive around October 2026.
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The next-generation MacBook Pro, which is also undergoing a major refresh, may slip from late 2026 into early 2027.
The issue is tied to a broader shortage of high-performance memory chips, driven largely by surging demand from AI data centers. These facilities consume massive amounts of RAM, tightening global supply and affecting manufacturers like Apple.
Apple is also expected to introduce major upgrades in these machines, including newer M-series chips and redesigned hardware features, which further increases memory requirements and complicates supply planning.
While Apple has strong long-term supply agreements and is usually well-positioned during component shortages, this situation appears significant enough to cause scheduling adjustments across its Mac lineup.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is reporting that Apple’s next-generation high-end Macs may be delayed further than previously expected, largely due to ongoing pressure in the global memory chip supply chain.
Gurman has long indicated that the upcoming 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch screen support were planned for a late 2026 to early 2027 timeframe. However, in his latest Power On newsletter, he now suggests the rollout is more likely to land toward the later end of that window, meaning early 2027 is becoming the more realistic target than late 2026.
These refreshed MacBook Pro models are expected to be a major redesign, with rumored features including:
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M6 Pro and M6 Max chips
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An OLED display
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A Dynamic Island-style cutout
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A thinner chassis design
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Touch input support as part of a broader macOS 27 interface shift toward touch-friendly controls
There is also speculation that Apple could eventually rebrand these machines under a new “MacBook Ultra” identity, though that remains unconfirmed.
Separately, Gurman previously expected a new Mac Studio around mid-2026, likely aligning with WWDC. That timeline has also shifted. He now reports that internal expectations point to a possible launch as late as October this year, driven by the same memory chip shortage impacting production schedules.
The next Mac Studio refresh is expected to focus primarily on internal upgrades rather than design changes, including:
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M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips
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Continued use of Apple’s high-end desktop architecture
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No major external redesign anticipated
Notably, Apple previously skipped an M4 Ultra chip generation, so the Mac Studio lineup is expected to move directly into M5-based silicon at the high end.
Overall, the roadmap now points to a split timeline: a Mac Studio refresh potentially arriving later this year, followed by the more significant MacBook Pro overhaul likely slipping into early 2027.