Apple to sell $2,999 MacBook Pro with older M5 chips on October 28

Apple is expected to price the redesigned MacBook Pro at approximately $2,999 when it unveils the device on October 28. The event, branded as 'Pro and tell,' will feature a laptop that is physically lighter and thinner than current models but will not include a faster processor.

According to a report from 9to5Mac, the new machine will use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. These processors first appeared in Apple's lineup nearly eight months ago. For buyers focused on raw processing speed, the new hardware will offer no performance improvement over the models currently available for purchase.

The physical changes to the device are substantial. Rumors indicate the laptop will feature a new industrial design and an OLED display that supports touch input. The screen is also expected to replace the current notch with a Dynamic Island cutout. A C2 cellular modem remains a less certain possibility for the new model.

The decision to reuse existing silicon stems from a shift in Apple's chip roadmap. The company is reportedly skipping the M6 Pro and M6 Max processors entirely. Instead, Apple is fast-tracking the M7 Pro and M7 Max for release in 2027. This leaves the redesigned laptop arriving in the gap between these two generations of hardware.

Pricing remains the most contentious aspect of the release. While Apple could replace the current M5 Pro and M5 Max models at the same price point, analysts consider this unlikely due to the current memory crisis. The $2,999 starting price suggests a premium for the design changes, meaning consumers would pay more for a machine that is no faster than its predecessor.

Apple has not confirmed the specific details of the design or the chip configuration. The October 28 event will determine how much of the reporting is accurate and how the company positions a product that relies on existing silicon against a backdrop of professional users who previously held off on buying M5-based machines.