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macOS 27 Hints at 'MacBook Ultra' in Three Ways

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Apple this week unveiled macOS 27 Golden Gate, and the upcoming software update hints at the rumored "MacBook Ultra" in at least three ways.

MacBook Pro Low Angle Wide Lens
"MacBook Ultra" is the rumored name for a new high-end model above the MacBook Pro. The laptop is rumored to feature an OLED display, touch-screen capabilities, a Dynamic Island, a thinner design, and M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.

macOS 27 includes a trio of hints about touch-screen support and a Dynamic Island in particular.

First, the update adds direct touch input to Sidecar, the feature that allows you to use an iPad as a second display for a Mac. This enhancement allows users to tap and interact with macOS elements with a finger on their iPad. This strongly hints at Apple preparing to bring touch-screen support to macOS after years of resisting.

macos sidecar
Second, macOS 27 adds iPhone-like pull-to-refresh support to the Mac. This allows you to swipe down on the trackpad to refresh the page or visible content in apps such as Safari, Mail, News, Podcasts, and Calendar. Apple may have finally expanded this functionality to the Mac in preparation for a "MacBook Ultra" with a touch screen.

macos 27 swipe down to refresh
Third, the new "Search or Ask" feature powered by the revamped version of Siri is built into Spotlight on macOS 27, resulting in a dark, pill-shaped interface that would be very fitting for a MacBook screen with a Dynamic Island.

On the MacBook Ultra, the "Search or Ask" interface would likely be positioned higher so that it surrounds the Dynamic Island when visible.

macOS 27 Search or Ask
macOS 27 is currently available in developer beta, with a public beta to follow in July. The update is expected to be released in September.

Apple reportedly plans to launch the "MacBook Ultra" in early 2027.

Related Roundup: macOS Golden Gate
Tag: MacBook Ultra Guide
Related Forum: macOS Golden Gate

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Top Rated Comments

B
bluecoast
14 weeks ago
Everything about that sounds good but I don’t want a touchscreen Mac. I don’t understand why anyone would - unless they want to get RSI.

Maybe it’ll fold back to make a Mac iPad. But it’ll be a fairly heavy and thick one.

Anyway. I don’t get it.

Hopefully people will be able to buy a (slightly) cheaper non touch version.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
teaneedz Avatar
teaneedz
14 weeks ago
yes, yes, yes keep the touch experience only on the ultra. leave the developer's pro alone.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
klasma
14 weeks ago


Right, a Dynamic Island in that position would totally make sense. 🤪

Attachment Image
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
X
xyz01
14 weeks ago
I hope they prioritize releasing up to date versions of existing, but outdated, products.

Mac Studio has been in need of a new releases for many months, and the AppleTV should have gotten a refresh a long time ago.

I'm in the market for a Mac Studio, but I'm not buying an outdated CPU/GPU for full price. And if they release an M5 Studio around the time of a new CPU (September) that still applies.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
tipoo
14 weeks ago
Been waiting 20 years for this

MacRumors content image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
MayaUser
14 weeks ago

Didn’t Gurman literally just say it’s still on track for later 2026?
Yes he did and Gurman is the most important proof than macos27 itself
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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