Apple has reintroduced a glowing logo to the lid of its new MacBook Pro lineup, utilizing software-controlled LED lighting to achieve the effect, ITavisen reported.
The return of the illuminated emblem marks a change in hardware engineering for the brand. While the original glowing logos used the backlight from LCD screens, the new “PROLED XDR” panels use OLED technology, which relies on individually lit pixels without a traditional backlight, according to Letem Sveltem Apple. To compensate for this architectural change, Apple developed a specialized lighting solution for the exterior logo.
Software regulates logo brightness using pulse width modulation
The lighting on the MacBook Pro lid is not a static element but is managed through software. Developer Guilherme Rambo revealed that the logo features individualized calibration and brightness levels. This system uses Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) at a frequency of 25 kHz to regulate light intensity by varying the duration of rapid on/off cycles.
The relationship between the display brightness and the logo brightness is managed by CoreBrightness. This software ensures the logo’s luminosity remains consistent with the screen’s output. Apple has programmed the logo to adjust its intensity based on the specific color of the laptop's enclosure, though the color of the light itself does not change, Rambo noted.
Did you know?
Apple removed the glowing logo in 2016 during a design refresh, replacing it with a polished metal version for a decade before this redesign.
M6 chip upgrades drive performance and AI tasks
The new MacBook Pro models feature the M6 chip, which Apple describes as a significant leap in performance and artificial intelligence capabilities. According to Apple, the M6 provides up to 30 percent better graphics performance and 25 percent faster AI processing compared to the previous M5 model. The M6 chip serves as the entry-level option, while more powerful configurations utilize the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, Tek.no reported.
The M6 chip includes two 16-core Neural Engines, totaling 32 cores, to support Apple Intelligence and local AI models. For users prioritizing battery life, Apple claims the M6 offers industry-leading performance per watt, supporting up to 24 hours of use depending on the specific configuration.
The glowing Apple logo on the new MacBook Pro is controllable by software. It has 25kHz PWM and per-device calibration. CoreBrightness controls the relationship between screen and logo brightness. The brightness of the logo is adjusted differently depending on the enclosure color pic.twitter.com/baqBEkzJUo
| Feature | MacBook Pro M6 Specifications |
|---|---|
| Standard Memory | 16 GB (configurable up to 32 GB) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thunderbolt 4 |
| Display Options | Liquid Retina XDR (Nano-texture available) |
Pricing and availability for new Mac models
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip starts at $2,899 in the United States, while the 16-inch model begins at $3,399, Letem Sveltem Apple reported. In Norway, the starting price for the M6 MacBook Pro is 27,490 kroner, which Techradar noted is a slight increase from the previous M5 model’s pricing trends.
Apple also launched an updated iMac featuring the M6 chip alongside the new MacBook Pro. The iMac is available in seven colors and starts at 19,990 kroner for the 10-core model. Pre-orders for both the iMac and MacBook Pro began on October 28, 2026, with retail availability and deliveries scheduled to start on November 6, 2026, according to Tek.no.
MacBook Pro technical details
The hardware includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, a card reader, and a MagSafe charging port. The machines are available in Space Black and Silver finishes. While the logo is software-controlled, it remains unclear if Apple will allow users to manually adjust the logo’s brightness or disable it entirely to extend battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the logo brightness change depending on the laptop color?
Apple uses software to adjust the intensity of the LED to ensure the brightness looks consistent across different enclosure colors, according to developer Guilherme Rambo.
What is the difference between the M6 and M5 chips?
The M6 chip offers up to 30 percent better graphics performance and 25 percent faster AI task processing than the M5, according to Apple.
When can I buy the new MacBook Pro?
Pre-orders opened on October 28, 2026, and the devices were scheduled to arrive in stores and begin delivery on November 6, 2026, Tek.no reported.
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