Will Apple Ever Make a Touchscreen MacBook?
▼ Summary
– Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated that a MacBook Pro with an OLED touchscreen is expected to enter mass production by late 2026.
– Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman confirmed Kuo’s timeline and noted that the launch date has been pushed back from late 2025.
– Apple has traditionally resisted merging the iPad and MacBook lines and is unlikely to do so completely.
– iPad sales are tapering off, and customers increasingly expect touch-based interfaces on laptops, partly due to Windows laptops including touchscreens.
– Apple is feeling pressure to bring the iPad and MacBook product lines more in sync with each other.
Rumors of a touchscreen MacBook have circulated for years, but recent reports from trusted industry analysts suggest Apple may finally be moving forward with the concept. According to insights shared this week, the company appears to be targeting a late 2026 or early 2027 release for a MacBook Pro model featuring an OLED touch display, marking a significant shift in the brand’s longstanding design philosophy.
For over a decade, Apple has publicly resisted blending the iPad’s touch-first interface with the Mac’s keyboard-and-trackpad approach. Executives have often emphasized the importance of keeping these product categories distinct. However, shifting consumer expectations and market trends seem to be influencing a change in strategy. iPad sales have reportedly begun to slow, while touchscreen laptops, commonplace in the Windows ecosystem, are increasingly in demand.
This growing pressure is pushing Apple to reconsider its stance. Rather than fully merging the Mac and iPad, the company is likely exploring ways to integrate touch capabilities without compromising the Mac’s core identity. A touch-enabled MacBook Pro could offer the best of both worlds: the precision of macOS with the intuitive interaction of a touch display. If these reports hold, we may soon see one of the most anticipated evolutions in Apple’s laptop lineup.
(Source: The Verge)
