Apple’s Touchscreen MacBook Pro: A Decade of Resistance, Now Reversed?
Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a touchscreen MacBook Pro, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This potential move marks a significant shift in Apple’s long-held stance against touchscreen laptops, a position maintained by key figures like Steve Jobs and Tim Cook for over a decade.
From Dismissal to Development: A History of Apple’s Touchscreen Stance
As early as 2010, Steve Jobs dismissed touchscreen laptops as “ergonomically terrible,” arguing against the practicality of vertical touch surfaces. Tim Cook echoed this sentiment in 2012, questioning the convergence of disparate devices. Even Apple’s former design guru, Jonny Ive, deemed touchscreens “not particularly useful” when the Touch Bar was introduced in 2016.
macOS and the Touchscreen Challenge
The timing of this potential shift is noteworthy. While macOS and iPadOS now share visual similarities, macOS has become less touch-friendly in recent updates. The removal of Launchpad – a touch-optimized app grid – in macOS 26, replaced with a smaller, less finger-friendly menu, exemplifies this trend. Adapting a mouse and keyboard-centric interface for touch interaction often results in a clunky and imprecise experience.
The iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard: A Touchscreen Laptop Already?
Perhaps the most compelling question is: why introduce a touchscreen MacBook Pro when the iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard already fills that role? The Magic Keyboard provides a comparable typing experience and a touchpad, while iPadOS has increasingly adopted macOS-like features, including resizable windows introduced in iPadOS 26.
File Management: The iPadOS Hurdle
The primary limitation of the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement remains iPadOS’s file system. Its complexity makes transferring files between applications challenging. Improving iPadOS’s file management capabilities could be a more effective solution than attempting to integrate touchscreen controls into macOS.
The Dynamic Island and a New Interface
The upcoming touchscreen MacBook Pro is expected to feature the Dynamic Island and a new interface designed to seamlessly transition between touch and traditional point-and-click interactions, adapting to the user’s needs.
Future MacBook Pro Plans: A Two-Pronged Approach
Apple reportedly plans two MacBook Pro upgrades in 2026. The first will feature M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, arriving soon. The second, a major redesign slated for late 2026 (though 2027 remains a possibility), will include an OLED touch screen, M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, a thinner design and built-in cellular connectivity.
Other Apple Updates on the Horizon
Beyond the MacBook Pro, Apple plans updates to the MacBook Air (with the M5 chip), Mac Studio (with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips), and Studio Display (featuring mini-LED backlighting, ProMotion, and an A19 or A19 Pro chip). A lower-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip (A18 Pro) and an updated Mac mini are also in development.
FAQ
Will the touchscreen MacBook Pro replace the traditional MacBook Pro?
It’s unlikely. Apple appears to be offering a redesigned option alongside the existing models.
When will the redesigned MacBook Pro be released?
The current expectation is late 2026, but 2027 is still a possibility.
What chips will the new MacBook Pro utilize?
The redesigned model is expected to feature M6 Pro and M6 Max chips.
What is the Dynamic Island?
The Dynamic Island is a new interface element that adapts and displays alerts and activities in real-time.
Will the new MacBook Pro have cellular connectivity?
Yes, built-in cellular connectivity is a rumored feature of the redesigned model.
Did you know? Apple previously updated the MacBook Pro twice in one year with the M2 and M3 chips in 2023, setting a precedent for multiple upgrades in a single year.
Explore more about Apple’s future plans: MacRumors’ coverage of Apple’s upgrade plans
