Gurman: MacBook Ultra with touchscreen, M6 chip coming this year

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple is developing a new high-end MacBook that could launch later this year under the "Ultra" branding. This premium laptop would sit above the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models, featuring a touchscreen OLED display and next-generation M6-series chips.

Gurman notes that while Apple hasn't finalized whether to use the Ultra moniker or stick with the traditional Pro naming, the device is expected to carry a significantly higher price tag. The analyst suggests prices could increase by as much as 20% compared to current MacBook Pro models, positioning this as Apple's most premium portable offering yet.

The timing aligns with Apple's broader strategy to expand its MacBook lineup across different price points. The company recently introduced the more affordable MacBook Neo with a starting price of $599, powered by the A18 Pro chip. This tiered approach would see Apple covering the entire spectrum from budget-friendly options to ultra-premium devices.

Gurman indicates that the new OLED touchscreen MacBooks are slated for a Q4 2026 launch. This timeline suggests Apple is still in the development phase, with several months before the devices reach consumers. The touchscreen OLED display represents a significant departure from Apple's traditional MacBook design philosophy, which has historically avoided touchscreens on Mac computers.

The M6-series chips powering these devices would likely offer substantial performance improvements over the current M5 generation. While specific details remain scarce, Apple's chip roadmap typically delivers significant gains in both CPU and GPU performance with each new iteration, along with improved energy efficiency.

This move toward touchscreen MacBooks follows years of speculation about Apple potentially adding touch capabilities to its laptop lineup. The company has previously expressed skepticism about touchscreens on traditional laptops, making this potential shift particularly noteworthy for the Mac ecosystem.

The 20% price premium Gurman mentions would likely push the base model well above $2,000, with fully configured versions potentially exceeding $3,000 or even $4,000. This pricing strategy would position the MacBook Ultra as a direct competitor to high-end Windows laptops from Dell, HP, and Lenovo that already offer touchscreen capabilities.

For creative professionals and power users, the combination of OLED display technology, touchscreen functionality, and M6 performance could make this an attractive upgrade option. The OLED panel would provide superior contrast ratios and color accuracy compared to current MacBook Pro displays, while the touchscreen could enable new workflows and interaction methods.

Apple's decision to potentially use the "Ultra" branding follows the company's existing Ultra strategy with the M2 Ultra and M2 Ultra Max chips found in the Mac Studio and Mac Pro. This naming convention signals the absolute highest tier of Apple's silicon offerings, reserved for the most demanding professional applications.

The Q4 2026 launch window also provides context for Apple's product roadmap. This timing would likely see the MacBook Ultra debut alongside other fall product announcements, potentially including new iPhone models and Apple Watch updates. The late-year launch would give Apple's supply chain partners ample time to prepare for what could be a complex manufacturing process involving new display technology and custom silicon.