MacBook Ultra could replace Apple's current Pro models as the company's premium laptop line, sitting above existing M5 Pro and Max configurations. This new naming strategy aligns with Apple's Ultra branding used on the Apple Watch Ultra and CarPlay Ultra, suggesting a higher price point for the machines. The Ultra designation fits Apple's strategy of offering more models at varied price points, as seen with the new MacBook Neo at $599.

Rumored features include an OLED display from Samsung Display, hybrid glass substrate technology offering improved brightness and power efficiency compared to current LCD models. The new MacBook would break Apple's long-standing resistance to touchscreens, allowing seamless switching between touch input and traditional trackpad or mouse control. A thinner design represents a reversal from the 2021 redesign that added thickness and ports.

The Ultra models will reportedly feature M6 Pro and M6 Max processors using TSMC's 2nm process for tighter integration of CPU, GPU, DRAM, and Neural Engine components. Industry watchers now expect release in early 2027, pushed back from late 2026 due to global memory chip shortages. Apple is expected to market these processors as optimized for AI workflows.