After years of insisting that touchscreen laptops are a bad idea, Apple might be ready to contradict themselves. For the longest time, the company’s executives maintained that laptops with touchscreens were not the best, ergonomically-speaking. However, if the latest rumours are true, it looks like Apple may be taking back some of those long-held beliefs.
No idea what I’m talking about? Here’s the context.
According to multiple reports from reliable industry sources, Apple is reportedly working on its first-ever touchscreen MacBook Pro. Yes, you read it right. They caved in and it looks like the reason might be the huge cash-grab opportunity that the segment brings.
While the company hasn’t confirmed anything, the rumours have been gaining momentum, with reports suggesting the touch-enabled MacBook could arrive as early as fall this year. If these talks of the town are indeed true, this would be the biggest upgrade to MacBook design and macOS in forever.
It is also being said that this device could essentially be the first MacBook Ultra, instead of just being an advanced version of the MacBook Pro And this wouldn’t just be a case of slapping a touchscreen onto an existing laptop. The rumoured MacBook Pro is expected to debut with an OLED display, making it the first Mac to ditch mini-LED in favour of OLED technology. Some reports even hint at the possibility of a Dynamic Island-style cutout, borrowing another feature that’s recently become familiar to iPhone users. Additionally, it is expected to use either an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip (no M6 chips, for now at least). Oh and of course, it will be crazy expensive!
It is important to remember that this does not mean that Apple is turning the MacBook into a giant iPad. The macOS will likely remain very much a desktop operating system, with the touchscreen serving as an additional way to interact with apps rather than replacing the keyboard and trackpad.
The shift is particularly interesting because it marks a noticeable change from Apple’s previous messaging. Steve Jobs famously dismissed touchscreen laptops years ago, arguing they simply weren’t comfortable to use for long periods. More recently, Apple executives continued to emphasise that the Mac and iPad each had their own strengths and shouldn’t be merged into a single device. Well, Apple’s position seems to have evolved—not by combining the two products, but by borrowing one of the iPad’s most defining features for the Mac.
Of course, it’s worth remembering that these are still rumours. Apple has a habit of keeping its cards close to its chest, and plenty of reported features never make it to the final product. I guess we’ll find out either way in a couple of months.
