A separate MacBook Ultra could be the best outcome for MacBook Pro fans

Rumors suggest Apple could brand its next major MacBook redesign as the MacBook Ultra instead of replacing the existing MacBook Pro lineup outright. If true, the move could help Apple avoid repeating one of the biggest mistakes in MacBook Pro history.

The MacBook Pro Apple launched in 2021 felt like the company fixing many of the complaints users had with the 2016 version. Apple had previously removed familiar ports, moved completely to USB-C, added the butterfly keyboard, and replaced the traditional function row with the Touch Bar.

Many professional users criticized the redesign for prioritizing thinness over practicality, performance, and battery life.

In 2021, Apple reversed many of those decisions by bringing back ports like HDMI, SD card support, and MagSafe, while also removing the Touch Bar and restoring a more reliable keyboard.

Your Complete iOS 26 Playbook:

Get our exclusive Ultimate iOS 26 Guide 📚 — absolutely FREE when you sign up for our newsletter below.

A “MacBook Ultra” could let Apple experiment without changing the MacBook Pro

Recent reports from Mark Gurman suggest Apple’s next redesigned MacBook could become thinner and lighter while also adding features like an OLED display and touchscreen support.

Those changes may sound exciting for many users, but they also raise concerns that Apple could once again compromise things professional users care about most, including battery life, thermal performance, and port selection.

That’s where the rumored “MacBook Ultra” branding could make sense.

Instead of replacing the current MacBook Pro design completely, Apple could position the new model as a separate premium lineup focused more on newer hardware ideas and experimental features.

That would allow the existing MacBook Pro to continue serving users who prioritize performance, cooling, ports, and battery life over ultra-thin hardware.

At the same time, the MacBook Ultra could target users interested in features like touch input, OLED panels, thinner designs, and possibly even cellular connectivity.

Apple may be trying to avoid another 2016-style backlash

The 2016 MacBook Pro redesign remains one of Apple’s most criticized Mac launches in recent memory because it dramatically changed what many professional users expected from the lineup.

By turning the rumored redesign into a separate “MacBook Ultra” lineup, Apple could avoid completely changing the MacBook Pro experience that many professional users already prefer.

The move would also fit Apple’s existing branding strategy, where “Ultra” devices typically focus on pushing newer hardware ideas and premium features.

For users who love the current MacBook Pro design, that could ultimately be the best outcome.

Why the Ultra idea makes sense

Personally, the idea of a rumored MacBook Ultra sounds far more interesting as a separate product instead of a direct replacement for the current MacBook Pro.

Features like an OLED display, touchscreen support, a thinner design, and possibly even cellular connectivity sound interesting for users who want a more modern and experimental MacBook experience from Apple.

At the same time, there are still plenty of MacBook Pro users who mainly care about battery life, sustained performance, cooling, and built-in ports. Replacing the current MacBook Pro entirely with a thinner redesign could easily frustrate those users again.

Keeping both products separate would give Apple room to experiment while preserving the MacBook Pro experience many users already prefer.

Would you prefer Apple to keep the current MacBook Pro design and launch a separate MacBook Ultra, or should the company fully redesign the MacBook Pro again? Share your thoughts in the comments below.