What We Expect From Apple’s WWDC 2023 Mac Lineup

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, WWDC 2023, kicks off on June 5, at which time we anticipate the launch of at least one new MacBook laptop or Mac desktop. It makes sense that the rumor mill has been churning with possible Mac reveals, as Apple's annual developer event is the perfect launchpad for new hardware and software. Last year's conference saw two new Macs debut, so it stands to reason that we'll see more fresh faces added to the Mac lineup during this year's keynote.

A Larger 15-Inch MacBook Air

A 15-inch MacBook Air is the most widely rumored announcement, scaling Apple's ultraportable to its biggest size ever. A 15-inch model would provide a roomier laptop presumably priced below the more powerful MacBook Pro. We've been hearing rumors of this 15-inch MacBook Air for more than a year, but recent reporting by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman(Opens in a new window) suggests that it's one of several new Macs coming shortly.

Apple's M2 MacBook Air might be getting a bigger sibling.
(Credit: Brian Westover)

Rumors can't seem to agree on whether the new large Air will have the already released M2 processor or a newer M3 chip. It's reasonable to assume that a plus-sized MacBook Air would use the same updated design as the current 13.6-inch M2 model, as well as a similar collection of two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a MagSafe charging port, and a headphone jack. However, we don't know if the greater size will also prompt Apple to include something like an HDMI monitor port.

One thing is highly likely: The larger display should scale up the resolution from the current Air's 2,560 by 1,664 pixels to something closer to the 3,456-by-2,234 panel of the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro. Just don't expect the same mini LED technology; that's likely reserved for the more premium Pro models.

A New 13-Inch MacBook Pro

This is another hotly rumored product, but given the fact that Apple just updated the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro a year ago with the M2 processor, it seems unlikely that it will get another upgrade so soon. Nevertheless, Bloomberg's Gurman says an updated MacBook Pro(Opens in a new window) is in the works.

Fingers crossed the 13-inch MacBook Pro loses the Touch Bar at last.
(Credit: Brian Westover)

If Apple does decide to roll out a new 13-inch model, we're hoping for a redesigned chassis that follows the lead of the 14- and-16-inch models and finally dumps the Touch Bar. The Tocuh Bar is a failed experiment, and Apple needs to bring the entry-level 13-incher up to the standard that the larger, more premium models have set.

After this year's announcement of the latest 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro laptops, the previous MacBook design continued unchanged, but with more powerful M2 Pro and M2 Max silicon. Apple does like to stick with its designs considerably longer than competitors that release products on shorter cycles, but if the MacBook Pro line was due for a refresh, a revamped 13-inch Pro might be a timely opportunity to introduce new features or design elements.

Are OLED MacBooks Coming?

One extra-big rumor that's been hovering around WWDC is the possibility of an OLED MacBook. Earlier this year, Korean news outlet The Elec reported that Samsung would begin supplying OLED panels for Apple products(Opens in a new window), specifically an OLED version of the MacBook Air.

How do you make a retina display better? Make it OLED.
(Credit: Apple)

The appeal is obvious, since OLED panels deliver the best contrast you can get, and their per-pixel illumination provides fantastic HDR performance. Just take a look at any of the OLED laptops we've reviewed and you'll see that they're consistently home to the best displays you can buy.

Frankly, however, I think this one is wishful thinking—not that Apple hasn't considered and probably even prototyped a MacBook Pro or Air with an OLED screen, but because the company has already invested heavily in mini LED screens, not to mention the development of micro LED technology that could eventually become a strong OLED competitor.

An OLED panel would also be a premium feature to add to the MacBook Air, which is traditionally Apple's entry-level portable. Adding an OLED display would bump up the price considerably, and the 13-inch Air is only $100 less than the 13-inch MacBook Pro already. Giving the MacBook Air an OLED screen could actually flip the entire value relationship between the two, and I don't see that happening.

Coming Someday: Mac Pro With Apple Silicon

MacBooks may get the most press coverage, but for the Mac faithful—especially those who need real power for work—a new Mac Pro is what people are really waiting for. Last updated in 2019, the Mac Pro is the only member of the Mac family that hasn't yet moved from Intel to Apple processors. And after four years running on Intel and AMD hardware, the current Mac Pro just isn't worth the exorbitant price tag that's still attached to the machine.

Apple's Mac Pro is overdue for a house-brand CPU.
(Credit: Apple)

The problem, of course, is that Apple needs a chip that can not only match but exceed the power of the Intel Xeon processor used in the last update. The Mac Studio with M1 Ultra actually exceeds the power of the Mac Pro with a 28-core Intel Xeon, though the Pro's AMD Radeon Pro GPU should still enjoy a comfortable lead over the M1 Ultra's capable graphics processing.

But the compact Mac Studio isn't modular in the same way that the Mac Pro is—not that the latter offers much room for upgrades, being frozen in the days before Apple Silicon. Regardless, the larger design of the Mac Pro has always served some important functions for power users and workstation customers, and the Mac Studio just doesn't have that same flexibility, even if it is several thousand dollars cheaper.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of a Mac Pro being announced at WWDC feels slim. We've heard gossip about a new M2 Ultra chip that could power a new Mac Pro—as well as other rumors suggesting the M2 Ultra has been scrapped—but I don't believe Apple Silicon has yet grown on a par with the older hardware, even if the M1 Ultra beats it in some tests.

An Apple iMac With an M2 Chip?

Apple's consumer desktop, the 24-inch iMac, is also looking a bit long in the tooth. Last updated in 2021, it was one of the first systems to get an M1 chip, but we've since seen six new Apple Silicon processors announced across the M1 and M2 lines, and none of them are offered in the iMac. For that reason alone, the desktop is overdue for an upgrade. Bloomberg's Gurman has a rumor about a new iMac(Opens in a new window), reporting that it was in advanced engineering validation testing back in March.

Apple's M2 chip is considerably more powerful than the M1.
(Credit: Apple)

Another frequent wish is for a return to the larger screen of the 27-inch iMac of yesteryear, but I don't see this happening either. Apple seems to have positioned the 24-inch iMac as its basic consumer machine, with either the Mac mini or the Mac Studio meeting the needs of anyone who needs more capable hardware including the option of larger or multiple displays. The Apple Studio Display, for example, already offers Mac fans a 27-inch 5K screen, and it works with more than one hardware platform.

I think it's more likely that we'll see the iMac updated with the new M3 chip, whenever the latter comes along (to my mind, not until late 2023 at the earliest).

We'll Have Answers Soon

Obviously, this article is based mostly on speculation, but with WWDC 2023 right around the corner, it's always worth taking stock of rumors and adjusting expectations accordingly. After several years of sticking my finger in the air to see which way the Apple winds are blowing, the only thing I can say with certainty is that most Apple rumors turn out to be wrong, even if they seem well-sourced and backed up with logic and leaked info.

Overall, I expect no more than one, maybe two, of these rumors to amount to anything next week. That's just the nature of the game. But one other thing is certain: Apple's never done, and new products are coming whether they're announced at WWDC or another event later in the year. We'll be reporting live from the event, so make sure to keep an eye here.