Apple accelerates "M7" plans and prepares new "MacBook Pro" and "iPad Pro" for 2027

Apple is planning a major update to part of its product lineup in the first half of 2027. According to internal plans, the company is preparing new "iPad Pro" models, a redesigned entry-level 14-inch "MacBook Pro," and the debut of the "M7" processor, which will serve as the foundation for the next generation of computers and tablets.

Four new "iPad Pro" models in the spring of 2027

Apple is testing four new versions of the "iPad Pro," scheduled to debut in the spring of 2027. The screen sizes will remain the familiar "11-inch" and "13-inch," but significant changes to the internal hardware are expected. The primary focus is on more powerful processors and more effective heat management.

The company is considering the implementation of a "vapor chamber" – an advanced liquid cooling system already used in the "iPhone 17 Pro." The goal is to increase performance stability during prolonged workloads without adding fans to the tablet's thin chassis.

A vapor chamber works by evaporating liquid near the chip, which then condenses in another part of the device. In this way, it draws heat away from the processor and reduces thermal throttling, which limits speed at high temperatures. Journalist Mark Gurman first reported on plans for such a system in the "iPad Pro" in October 2025, noting that the 18-month update cycle for the Pro series suggests a debut in the spring of 2027.

Redesigned entry-level 14-inch "MacBook Pro"

Parallel to the new tablets, Apple is working on an updated entry-level 14-inch "MacBook Pro" with the internal codename "K104." Its market launch is planned for the first half of 2027. The laptop will receive a new design, moving closer to the look of the more expensive "MacBook Pro" models with "OLED displays" and "touch bars," which are expected between late 2026 and early 2027.

Before this redesign, Apple is preparing an intermediate step – a 14-inch "MacBook Pro" with an "M6" chip, which should appear in late 2026. According to available information, the device is already ready, and the chip upgrade cycle will be shorter than usual. The company has opted out of "M6 Pro" and "M6 Max" variants, suggesting that some resources are being redirected toward the accelerated development of the next generation.

"M7" processor: faster cycle and focus on local AI

The "M7" processor is expected to debut in the first half of 2027, with "M7 Pro" and "M7 Max" versions appearing by the end of that year. Apple is accelerating the development of the "M7," as the new generation of chips includes optimizations for "local artificial intelligence tasks" and "GPU-intensive workloads."

The goal is for the device to better handle data processing directly on-device – from generative models and recognition systems to complex graphic applications and games – without relying entirely on cloud services. At the same time, analysts note that Apple's timelines remain uncertain, as the market continues to face a "memory chip shortage" and rising production costs.

Despite these challenges, the 2027 plans outline an aggressive strategy: a short "M6" cycle, skipping some traditional variants, and a strong emphasis on the "M7" as a central element in the new generation of "MacBook Pro" and "iPad Pro." Thus, 2027 is shaping up to be a key moment in the evolution of Apple hardware – with a focus on design, cooling, and artificial intelligence.