Apple is reportedly preparing a new round of professional hardware releases for early 2027, with fresh iPad Pro models and a new MacBook Pro expected to lead the line-up. While Apple has not confirmed the products, the reports point to a busy first half of the year for the company, particularly across its premium tablet and laptop categories.
The expected launches come at an important moment for Apple. The company’s iPad Pro and MacBook Pro ranges now sit at the centre of its professional ecosystem, serving creators, designers, developers, editors and business users who want powerful performance in portable devices. With Apple Intelligence, on-device AI and increasingly demanding creative workflows becoming more important, the next generation of iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models could be more than routine upgrades.
Highlight: Apple’s reported 2027 hardware plans appear to focus on faster performance, stronger AI capability and a possible design shift for the MacBook Pro.
A New iPad Pro Line Could Arrive First
The iPad Pro is expected to be one of the first devices in Apple’s reported 2027 refresh. Reports suggest Apple is testing several new iPad Pro models, likely keeping the familiar 11-inch and 13-inch sizes rather than introducing a major exterior redesign.
That would make sense. The current iPad Pro already represents one of Apple’s most refined hardware designs, with an ultra-thin body, OLED display technology and support for Apple Pencil Pro and the latest Magic Keyboard. Rather than changing the look dramatically, Apple may focus on what sits inside the device.
The current iPad Pro design is already one of Apple’s thinnest and most premium, meaning the next update may focus mainly on internal performance.
For professional users, that internal upgrade could still matter significantly. The iPad Pro is increasingly used for illustration, photo editing, video workflows, music production, note-taking and business productivity. A more powerful chip could improve rendering speeds, multitasking, AI-assisted creative tools and overall responsiveness.
However, the bigger question may not be hardware alone. The iPad Pro has had laptop-class power for some time, but many users still want iPadOS to evolve further. Better multitasking, stronger external display support and more desktop-grade app experiences could make the next iPad Pro feel like a much more complete professional machine.
Video Embed: Apple’s iPad Pro Launch Event
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Apple’s previous iPad Pro launch showed how heavily the company is positioning the device around performance, display quality and creative workflows.
MacBook Pro Could Be Heading for a Design Change
The MacBook Pro report is arguably even more interesting. Apple is said to be preparing a new version of the MacBook Pro for the first half of 2027, with the possibility of a redesigned entry-level 14-inch model.
That would mark a notable shift. In recent years, the MacBook Pro has seen major gains through Apple silicon, improved displays and performance upgrades, but the overall design has remained relatively consistent. A new design could signal the start of a broader visual refresh across Apple’s professional Mac line.
The MacBook Pro remains one of Apple’s most important devices for professionals, and a redesign could give the range a fresh identity in 2027.
The reported redesign may also connect to Apple’s longer-term plans for future MacBooks, including models with OLED displays and potentially touchscreen functionality. While Apple has historically kept the Mac and iPad separate, the company has gradually brought the two product families closer together through shared chips, similar app experiences and cross-device productivity features.
If the entry-level MacBook Pro receives a new look first, it could become a bridge between today’s MacBook Pro and the more advanced MacBook designs expected later.
What to watch: A redesigned MacBook Pro could be more than a visual refresh, it may hint at where Apple wants the Mac to go next.
Apple Silicon Remains the Real Story
Although design changes always attract attention, Apple’s chip strategy remains the most important part of the story. The company’s M-series processors have transformed both the Mac and iPad, offering strong performance, impressive battery life and tighter integration between hardware and software.
The next iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models are expected to continue that direction. Whether Apple uses M6, M7 or another configuration, the priority is likely to be faster processing, improved graphics, better AI performance and greater efficiency.
Display quality, creative performance and AI-ready hardware are likely to remain central to Apple’s professional device strategy.
This matters because laptops and tablets are increasingly being judged by what they can do locally. Creative professionals want smoother editing and rendering. Business users want reliable performance across demanding workflows. Developers and AI-focused users want machines that can handle more tasks without relying entirely on the cloud.
For Apple, that creates a clear opportunity. If it can deliver devices that are thinner, faster, more efficient and better suited to AI-powered workflows, it can strengthen its position at the premium end of the market.
Video Embed: Apple MacBook Pro Performance Focus
Why These Updates Matter
The reported timing is important. Apple’s professional customers do not upgrade as casually as mainstream buyers. Many wait for meaningful changes, particularly when buying high-end laptops and tablets that are used for work.
A refreshed iPad Pro with stronger internals could appeal to creative users who already rely on the tablet as a serious production device. A redesigned MacBook Pro could attract professionals who have been holding out for something beyond another chip-only update.
There is also a wider competitive context. The laptop and tablet markets are becoming more focused on AI features, powerful displays, battery performance and hybrid work. Apple has the advantage of controlling its own chips, operating systems and hardware design, but it still needs to show that each new generation delivers a clear reason to upgrade.
Industry angle: The next stage of premium computing will not simply be about thinner devices. It will be about local AI performance, creative speed, battery life and how seamlessly hardware and software work together.
The Bottom Line
Apple’s reported plans for early 2027 suggest a meaningful update cycle for two of its most important professional products. The iPad Pro may receive a quieter internal upgrade, while the MacBook Pro could be heading towards a more visible redesign.
Nothing is official until Apple announces it, but the direction feels clear. The company is preparing its professional hardware for a new era shaped by AI, creative workflows and increasingly powerful portable devices.
For users, the decision may come down to timing. Those who need a device now will still find plenty of power in Apple’s current iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models. But those willing to wait could be rewarded with a more capable iPad Pro and a MacBook Pro that points towards the future of Apple’s laptop design.
Reference note for accuracy: The reported launch timing and product details are based on TechCrunch’s coverage of Bloomberg reporting, with additional context from The Verge and Apple’s official newsroom materials on the current iPad Pro and MacBook Pro lines.