5G MacBooks?

Wait, MacBooks without Wi-Fi? Well, maybe not quite, but 5G MacBooks could be closer than you think.

A man is sitting on the ground with his back to a blue brick wall. He is wearing a red sweater and black pants. He is using a laptop on his lap. The scene is shot from a low angle.
Photography by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels
Published: Friday, 04 July 2025 17:18 (EDT)
By Marcus Liu

Imagine a world where your MacBook doesn’t need Wi-Fi to stay connected. No more hunting for a coffee shop with decent internet or tethering your phone’s data just to send an email. That’s the promise of 5G MacBooks, and it might be coming sooner than you expect.

According to Presse-citron, Apple is reportedly working on its own 5G modems, potentially cutting ties with Qualcomm, the company that currently supplies the modems for iPhones. This shift could open the door for Apple to introduce 5G connectivity to its MacBook lineup. And let’s be real—this could change the game for mobile computing.

But why hasn’t Apple already jumped on the 5G train for its laptops? Well, it’s not as simple as slapping a 5G modem into a MacBook and calling it a day. Apple has always been about control—controlling the hardware, the software, and now, it seems, the connectivity. By developing its own 5G modems, Apple could integrate them more seamlessly into its devices, optimizing performance and battery life in ways that third-party modems might not allow.

Why 5G MacBooks Could Be a Game-Changer

Let’s talk about what 5G could bring to the table. First off, speed. We’re talking download speeds that could rival your home broadband, all while you’re sitting in the park or commuting on the train. No more buffering during video calls or waiting for large files to download. It’s instant gratification for the digital age.

Then there’s the issue of latency. 5G promises ultra-low latency, which means faster response times for everything from gaming to cloud computing. Imagine playing a high-stakes game of Fortnite or streaming a 4K movie on your MacBook without a hiccup. Sounds pretty sweet, right?

And let’s not forget about security. With 5G, your MacBook could stay connected to a secure network wherever you are, reducing the need to rely on potentially sketchy public Wi-Fi networks. In a world where cybersecurity is more important than ever, that’s a big win.

What’s the Hold-Up?

So, if 5G is so great, why haven’t we seen it in MacBooks yet? Well, there are a few hurdles. First, there’s the issue of battery life. 5G modems can be power-hungry, and Apple is notorious for prioritizing battery life in its devices. The company would need to find a way to balance the power demands of 5G with the all-day battery life that MacBook users have come to expect.

Then there’s the cost. 5G technology isn’t cheap, and adding it to MacBooks could drive up the price. Apple would need to decide whether the benefits of 5G are worth the extra cost for consumers. But given Apple’s track record of pushing the envelope (and charging a premium for it), it’s not hard to imagine that they’ll find a way to make it work.

What’s Next?

So, when can we expect to see 5G MacBooks? While nothing has been officially confirmed, the fact that Apple is working on its own 5G modems suggests that it’s only a matter of time. Whether we’ll see them in the next generation of MacBooks or further down the line remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—5G is coming, and it’s going to shake things up.

In the meantime, we’ll just have to keep an eye on Apple’s next moves. But if you’re someone who’s constantly on the go and tired of relying on Wi-Fi, a 5G MacBook might just be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.

Prediction time: Once Apple perfects its 5G modem tech, expect a new wave of MacBooks that redefine what it means to be “mobile.” And who knows? Maybe one day, Wi-Fi will feel as outdated as dial-up internet.

PC & Laptops

 

Related articles