Xiaomi sets imminent launch date for affordable MacBook Pro rival with Panther Lake

Xiaomi recently announced the Redmi Book Pro 2026 lineup, which is set to be a more affordable series than the recently launched Panther Lake Xiaomi Book Pro line. The company has now revealed when the lineup will launch in China.

As confirmed with a recent announcement, the Redmi K90 Max will launch in China on April 21, 2026, and at the same event, Xiaomi will debut the Redmi-branded Panther Lake laptops. This lineup will have two segments, with one featuring a 14-inch display.

The other one will sport a 16-inch display. Both models will be available in different configurations, with the top-end option featuring the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H. This upper-end Panther Lake processor features the Arc B390 iGPU, a capable integrated GPU. The lower-end option is expected to pack Core Ultra 5 325, while the mid-range model will feature the Core Ultra 5 338H.

Among the two, the smaller laptop will sport a 92 Wh battery, while the 16-inch model is set to pack a 99 Wh battery. Xiaomi has teased that the Redmi Book Pro 14 2026, even with a slightly smaller capacity, can offer up to 37 hours of local playback with a full charge.

There's support for 90 W fast charging on the smaller model, with a wide charging protocol compatibility, including PPS. Even though there's no word on the display yet, both models are expected to feature high-res LCD screens.

All these make the Redmi Book Pro 2026 lineup a proper flagship laptop series. With the right price, the top-end model can even stand as a solid competitor to the MacBook Pro M5, while entry-level options are expected to go against the budget-friendly MacBook Neo.

Speaking of the prices, the recently launched Panther Lake-equipped Xiaomi Book Pro series starts at CNY 7,999, around $1,171. The top-end model, on the other hand, costs CNY 9,999, about $1,464 (available to import via TradingShenzhen). Redmi's upcoming Panther Lake laptops, in comparison, are expected to have lower launch prices than these.