- Code in macOS Tahoe hints that a 5G MacBook could be on the way
- Apple is apparently testing it in a MacBook with M5 Pro chip
- There’s no guarantee a 5G MacBook will ever launch, though
Apple’s best iPhones and iPads have all been imbued with 5G goodness, but MacBooks remain left out in the cold. There are hints now, though, that that could soon change, and I think this could bring with it some serious benefits.
The idea of a 5G MacBook hasn’t been put forward by a dodgy leaker or an industry analyst – no, it comes from Apple itself. According to Macworld, Apple’s macOS Tahoe code contains references to an unreleased Mac codenamed “t6050” that will feature an M5 Pro chip, indicating that it’s going to be part of the next generation of MacBook Pro laptops.
Crucially, the code suggests that this MacBook will come with a “Centauri” chip, Macworld claims. Centauri is the codename for Apple’s 5G modem, which found its way into the iPhone 16e under the C1 name. If Macworld’s report is accurate, that would make the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro chip the first Apple laptop to feature 5G connectivity.
The timing makes sense, as Apple outfitted its iPhone 16e with its first in-house 5G modem last year. With more control over the chip’s features and manufacturing process, Apple might feel that the time is right to bring 5G capabilities to its laptop range.
And with the efficiency of Apple silicon added to the mix, there would be less concern over the chip unduly draining your laptop’s battery.
Connectivity off the grid
On the face of it, adding 5G to a MacBook might seem like a strange idea. After all, no one is about to hold a clunky laptop up to their ear to make a phone call. And when I first heard this rumor, I was pretty unconvinced.
But the idea has been growing on me over the past few months. Far from being an anachronism, 5G could actually bring some pretty upsides to your Apple laptop, both in terms of connectivity and security.
For instance, it could help you stay connected to the internet in places where Wi-Fi is unavailable, such as when you’re traveling or off the grid. As well as that, it would mean you wouldn’t need to connect to free Wi-Fi in bars and restaurants, avoiding what can be a serious security risk to your laptop.
Still, there’s no guarantee that Apple will ever actually release a 5G MacBook. While it has been rumored for many months now, the company could simply be testing the device and ultimately decide not to launch it.
But with the M5-series MacBooks expected to arrive in either late 2025 or early 2026, we might find out relatively soon.
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alexblake.techradar@gmail.com (Alex Blake)
