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Apple has long avoided the idea of equipping MacBooks with touchscreens, despite popularizing the concept of button-less smartphones. However, recent reports suggest that the company’s stance may be shifting. The upcoming redesign of the MacBook Pro, which is expected to feature an OLED display, is anticipated to include a touchscreen after all.
According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst at TF Securities, Apple plans to add touch controls to a future MacBook Pro model to boost user productivity and enhance the overall experience. While this feature has been a staple on Windows laptops for years, Apple has been cautious about adopting it on MacBooks.
Kuo also mentioned that the new OLED MacBook Pro, expected to enter mass production by late 2026, will incorporate a touch panel with on-cell touch technology. This suggests a significant shift towards blending traditional computing with more interactive touch capabilities.
Interestingly, Apple appears to draw inspiration from how iPad users interact with their devices. The iPad, with its compact 13-inch screen combined with a comprehensive keyboard accessory, seems to influence this new direction.
Historically, Apple has been skeptical about touch interfaces on laptops. Steve Jobs famously dismissed the idea in 2010, arguing that touch surfaces don’t work well in a vertical position. He pointed out that prolonged use can cause fatigue and discomfort, making it an impractical solution for laptops. Despite this, the increasing similarity between iPadOS and macOS—especially in the iPad Pro models—indicates that the concept of touch on laptops might not be as far-fetched as once believed.
While the integration of touchscreens into MacBook Pros is expected to bring a notable design overhaul, that model might not arrive until 2027. In the meantime, models equipped with the M5 chip are likely to fill the gap next year, offering a bridge towards the future of Apple’s portable computing devices.
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