Touchscreen MacBooks could become a reality
A leak last month hinted that Apple might equip MacBook Pros with touch panels using on-cell technology. Now, another credible Apple insider (subscription required) is backing that up.Apparently, Apple is gearing up to release a MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a move that would flip a long-standing policy set by Steve Jobs himself. The rollout is reportedly targeted for late 2026 or early 2027.
The upcoming MacBooks, codenamed K114 and K116, are also expected to be thinner and lighter, running the next-generation M6 chips.
These new models will reportedly feature OLED displays, the same tech used in iPhones and iPads, marking a first for a high-end, slim Mac. And despite adding touch, Apple isn’t ditching the keyboard or trackpad – so you won’t be forced to interact with the screen if you don’t want to.
Reportedly, Apple is also moving away from the “notch” that houses the camera, swapping it for a hole-punch design, reminiscent of the iPhone’s Dynamic Island. To tackle the usual issue of touch-enabled laptops – screen wobble – Apple has reinforced the hinge and screen hardware, so the display stays steady under finger taps.
Of course, all these upgrades won’t be cheap. Expect the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with touchscreens to cost a few hundred dollars more than today’s models.
For now, Apple is said not to be rushing to make touch a standard across the lineup; it will watch how the market responds before deciding on a broader rollout. This approach fits Apple’s usual playbook: launch new features on premium devices first, then eventually trickle them down.
Apple’s breaking its old rules
The new MacBook Pro with the M5 chip. | Image credit – Apple
For years, Apple avoided touchscreens on Macs, claiming they weren’t ergonomic and that PCs with touch were clunky. Instead, it nudged users toward iPads for touch-based computing.
And Apple is clearly taking its time to get this right, learning from other PC makers like Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and Microsoft, some of whom embraced touch laptops over a decade ago. The Cupertino tech giant’s goal seems to be delivering a more polished and practical experience than what’s already out there.
Adding a touchscreen to the MacBook Pro could push users toward higher-end models, opening up new revenue opportunities. While the $999 MacBook Air remains Apple’s bestseller, a premium touch-enabled MacBook Pro might entice people to upgrade – or even lure some Windows users over to macOS.
Who actually needs a touchscreen Mac?
With these reports stacking up, a touchscreen MacBook Pro feels more likely than ever. And honestly? It could be a good move – as long as Apple executes it right.
Keeping the full keyboard and trackpad intact is a smart choice, too. Not everyone wants or needs a touchscreen – personally, I don’t. I mostly write on my MacBook, so the keyboard is what matters to me. But plenty of users would probably welcome this new feature. It’s a fresh twist for the MacBook Pro, which might be exactly the spark it needs to feel exciting again.
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