Apple is gearing up to refresh its Mac lineup with the next-generation M5 chip, targeting a slew of updates including new MacBook Air models, powerful desktop workstations, and long-awaited external displays, according to a new report from Bloomberg News.
The moves come on the heels of the company’s recent unveiling of an M5-powered 14-inch MacBook Pro, signaling an aggressive push to maintain dominance in the premium computing market amid rising AI demands and competition from rivals.
The report, authored by Mark Gurman, details Apple’s development pipeline, with mass production nearing for several key products. Leading the charge are updated MacBook Air laptops in 13-inch and 15-inch configurations, codenamed J813 and J815. These devices, which retain the fanless, lightweight design introduced in 2022, are slated for a spring 2026 release — likely March or April — focusing primarily on the M5 processor upgrade for enhanced efficiency and performance without major aesthetic overhauls. Priced competitively around $999 for the base model, the M5 MacBook Air models are expected to deliver up to 20% better battery life and faster AI processing compared to their M4 predecessors, catering to students and mobile professionals.
Complementing the portables, Apple is developing refreshed versions of its compact desktops: the Mac Studio and Mac mini. Both are anticipated to incorporate higher-tier M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, targeting creative pros and developers who need robust multi-core performance in small form factors. The Mac mini, Apple’s best-selling desktop, could see an early 2026 launch, building on its October 2024 M4 refresh with improved thermal management and Thunderbolt 5 ports for faster data transfer. Analysts predict these updates will boost graphics capabilities by up to 1.6x, making them ideal for video editing and machine learning tasks. The Mac Studio, last updated in March 2025 with M4 Max and M3 Ultra options, is positioned for a mid-2026 rollout, potentially including modular storage expansions.
In a nod to its display ecosystem — unchanged since the 2022 Studio Display launch — Apple is preparing two new external displays, codenamed J427 and J527. The J427 is rumored to be a second-generation Studio Display successor, featuring a 27-inch 5K panel upgraded to MiniLED backlighting for deeper blacks and higher brightness, alongside ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates and Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. The J527 may target pro users with a larger 32-inch 6K or 7K resolution option, possibly incorporating nano-texture glass for glare reduction. Both are expected to launch alongside the Mac Studio and mini in early 2026, priced starting at $1,599, filling a gap in Apple’s accessory lineup that’s drawn criticism for lacking innovation.
This flurry of activity underscores Apple’s M5 strategy, which emphasizes on-device AI acceleration through a next-generation GPU with per-core Neural Accelerators — delivering up to 3.5x faster AI inference than the M4, as demonstrated in the freshly announced 14-inch MacBook Pro. The base M5 chip promises 15-20% gains in CPU and GPU efficiency over the M4, enabling features like real-time video transcription and generative art tools in apps such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe Photoshop. However, the updates are evolutionary rather than revolutionary; no OLED screens or cellular connectivity are on the horizon until the M6 generation in 2027.
“Apple’s M5 transition is about deepening integration with Apple Intelligence rather than flashy redesigns,” reports Gurman. “With the M4 still rolling out across the lineup, these 2026 refreshes will keep Macs ahead in a market where AI workloads are exploding.”
The timing aligns with internal macOS Tahoe 26.2 beta references, which have leaked identifiers for these models, hinting at synchronized software optimizations.
MacDailyNews Note: Supply chain sources indicate mass production for the M5 Airs and monitors could begin as early as Q4 2025.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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