- Apple’s M6 MacBook Pro will introduce several new technologies
- Yet it’s also a risky proposition for a number of reasons
- There are three main arguments for potentially avoiding the laptop
There’s talk again about Apple’s M6 MacBook Pro and its OLED display, which could launch as early as late 2026, according to a new report from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman. But before that, a MacBook Pro equipped with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips should also appear within a few weeks. All of this raises an important question: is it better to buy the M5 model or wait for the rumored M6 upgrade?
Well, there are three main points to consider here: the potential price of this OLED panel, the impact of the current memory crisis, and the problems that may arise with first generation products. When you put all these factors together, it might make more sense to pull the trigger on the imminent M5-generation MacBook Pro, if you’re in the market for one of Apple’s laptops.
Let’s start with this OLED panel. Apple’s MacBook Pro has used mini-LED technology for a few years now. Yet while this results in a phenomenal visual experience, the move to OLED panels could take the improvements even further. Additionally, Apple is widely expected to integrate touchscreen functionality into these displays – when you combine that with the OLED improvement, we could see a significant price increase when the M6 generation of MacBook Pro arrives, assuming all versions have this new display.
The concern among Apple fans is palpable. As user asp821 said on Reddit: “I can’t imagine the high price of an OLED and a touchscreen. [MacBook Pro].” If you’re on a budget – or you just don’t feel like you need something like an OLED touchscreen – opting for the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro or M5 Max chips might be the wisest option.
Calculate the risks
Second, even if Apple manages to keep the price of OLED touchscreen at a reasonable level, it also has to deal with the current RAM crisis.
Memory module prices have been climbing around the world, leading many to wonder whether Apple will be able to absorb the price increases for much longer. Although the company likely has agreements regarding the supply and cost of its components, we cannot rule out price adjustments in the face of such an unusual situation. The company has changed its prices before – will it do so again now that RAM modules are so rare?
Finally, there is the risk of moving to first generation editions of new models. Apple is usually pretty careful with all the new features and functions it introduces, but it’s not immune to mistakes and bad experiences.
Everything from Apple Maps to the Vision Pro headset stumbled when their first editions were released, and it took a while before Apple was able to fix some of the issues. And on the MacBook Pro, its 2016 models experienced issues with its second-generation butterfly keyboard and a reported flexgate issue that was later fixed.
While the M6 MacBook Pro is expected to be the company’s first attempt at both an OLED laptop display and one equipped with touchscreen capabilities, there’s good reason to sit on the sidelines and wait until a follow-up device shows up later.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that any of these concerns will come to fruition in reality, and the M6 MacBook Pro could be a success of epic proportions. If you have the money and don’t mind shelling out extra to get the new features, the M6 MacBook Pro could still be an attractive option. But given all the uncertainties surrounding it, you’d be forgiven for deciding that it’s a device best avoided – and that the M5 models are the less exciting, but wiser choice.
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