This morning, a new report was released suggesting that Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro refresh will actually be called the MacBook Ultra. Here are the reasons why this new Mac looks exactly like the model I've been wanting.

The MacBook Pro redesign is rumored to be called ‘MacBook Ultra’ upon release

Last month, Mark Gurman hinted that Apple's new design, with a touchscreen, OLED, and more, could see the M6 MacBook Pro named MacBook Ultra.

This seemed like just speculation, but today Macworld reported that Apple indeed plans to call its new high-end laptop ‘MacBook Ultra’.

I was already very excited about the new model, but being called Ultra further increases the likelihood that this could be the right computer for me.

It's been a long time since the Mac was my primary computer. When the first iPad Pro was released in 2015, I transitioned to an iPad-first computer setup.

A major reason that motivated me was that the Mac wasn't receiving the level of investment it deserved.

I love the Mac, but for a while, I thought Apple was willing to neglect it. macOS has seen very few changes each year, lagging behind iOS and iPadOS in terms of new features, apps, and innovations.

Mac hardware went through a particularly tough time before Apple silicon. However, despite Apple reversing this trend in recent years, the Mac still lacks several key hardware features I love on the iPad.

  • no touchscreen
  • no OLED
  • no Face ID
  • no cellular option

When rumors of some of these features for the M6 MacBook Pro emerged, I got excited about the new model. However, if Apple positions this product as the MacBook Ultra, I think it could be a better fit for me. Here are the reasons.

Why ‘MacBook Ultra’ makes more sense for me than a new MacBook Pro

Apple silicon has made every Mac impressively powerful, and as a result, the MacBook Pro has undeniably become more niche.

My computer needs are quite simple: I make my living by writing, do a bit of photo editing, and use ‘basic’ computer applications like Slack, Messages, and Safari.

The MacBook Air and even the MacBook Neo can easily meet these needs. However, I was excited about the M6 MacBook Pro, not because of its power, but because of its innovative features.

And I think Apple's new wave of ‘Ultra’ devices is exactly that.

If the iPhone Ultra and MacBook Ultra are truly coming, I believe Apple will use the term ‘Ultra’ to emphasize innovation rather than pure capabilities.

The iPhone Ultra will have lower specifications than the iPhone 18 Pro in some respects. However, it will be ‘Ultra’ because it will offer unique, cutting-edge features.

The MacBook Ultra is reported to be thinner and lighter than the current MacBook Pro. Of course, I expect it to have Pro and Max-level chips, but being “thinner” doesn't mean Apple will make it more powerful than the MacBook Pro.

Instead, the term ‘Ultra’ could be used to indicate the most innovative, cutting-edge Mac you can get. It will be the first model to come with touch support, OLED, the new Dynamic Island cutout, and perhaps a C2 cellular modem.

In this sense, the MacBook Ultra is exactly what I want. I don't need an overly powerful machine. I just want a Mac that moves the platform forward in significant ways.

Of course, I don't expect the MacBook Ultra to lag behind the MacBook Pro. However, while the MacBook Pro today seems more geared towards “professional” use cases, the high-quality Mac I truly want should perform well and also have the modern features I’ve become accustomed to on the iPad.

The idea of ‘Ultra’ pricing is not very appealing. However, everything about this new model excites me.

What do you think about Apple launching the ‘MacBook Ultra’? Let us know in the comments.