An analyst expects an OLED MacBook Pro to start $300 to $500 higher, and says rising memory costs are part of the reason. The current model may get cheaper.
A rumored OLED MacBook Pro could cost $300 to $500 more than today's model. That is the estimate from David Naranjo, an Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, a market research firm. He also says the fancy new screen can help cover a quieter problem: memory chips are getting more expensive.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 Pro chip and a mini-LED screen starts at $2,499 now. Naranjo ran a bill of materials analysis, which adds up the cost of a device's parts. Based on that, he expects a 14-inch OLED version to start between $2,799 and $2,999.
OLED screens light each pixel on their own, which gives deeper blacks. Counterpoint says the extra money would cover the advanced OLED panel, which is the type used in the M5 iPad Pro. It would also cover rumored touchscreen features and ongoing memory costs.
Tom's Guide describes a period of sharply rising prices for memory and storage, nicknamed "RAMageddon." Naranjo does not call OLED a smokescreen, since it truly improves contrast, color accuracy and response times. But he says it is becoming a way for PC makers to justify higher prices as component costs go up.
One example from the story: the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 has the same internals as last year's model. It costs $300 more and has an OLED display.
Windows laptops from Asus, Lenovo, HP and Dell have offered OLED for years. Naranjo says Apple's buying power could still speed up investment in display factories. More production can lower screen costs for everyone.
Apple's event is rumored for October 28. Nothing here is confirmed, and the $2,799 to $2,999 range is one analyst's estimate, not an Apple price.
If you need a Mac soon and do not need perfect color accuracy or a touchscreen, the writer suggests waiting for the event and watching prices on the current mini-LED MacBook Pro. Outgoing stock and the run-up to Black Friday could bring steep discounts. Anyone who buys the OLED model right away should expect to pay an early-adopter premium.
Before paying more for a rumored OLED MacBook Pro, wait for the October 28 event and watch for discounts on the current model.
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