Apple Develops First Touchscreen MacBook Pro

Apple is reportedly designing its first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a move that follows years of the company advocating that this technology be limited to tablets.

The upcoming models, codenamed K114 and K116, are anticipated to hit the market by late next year or early 2027, as noted by an insider.

These new laptops will be equipped with Apple’s latest M6 chip, and they’re expected to be thinner and lighter than their predecessors.

The screens will utilize OLED technology, which Apple has typically reserved for its slimmer iPhones and iPad Pros.

This new device is said to include a full trackpad and keyboard, maintaining the usability of a traditional laptop while offering touchscreen functionality.

Furthermore, Apple is planning small design updates for the MacBook Pro. The traditional notch at the top of the screen, which houses the camera, will be replaced by a “hole-punch” design. This looks similar to the “dynamic island” feature found on the latest iPhones.

Reportedly, Apple has also engineered improved hinge and screen mechanics to ensure the display remains stable when touched.

These new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros are likely to come with a higher price tag, reflecting the added costs of advanced components. Currently, these models start at $1,599 and $2,499.

The aim is to entice customers to upgrade their older devices to these pricier options.

Apple hasn’t responded yet to requests for comments regarding these developments.

The introduction of touchscreen functionality in the MacBook lineup marks a significant shift for Apple.

Historically, the company has shied away from this technology in laptops. The late Steve Jobs famously believed that touchscreen laptops could impede iPad sales and should remain exclusive to those devices. Tim Cook, his successor, has echoed similar sentiments, even likening the combination of touchscreen laptops and tablets to merging a toaster with a refrigerator.

Despite this hesitation, consumer demand for touchscreen laptops appears to be rising, even as iPad sales have declined.

Before fully committing to touchscreen MacBooks, Apple intends to assess the market reaction to the new MacBook Pro.

The company has explored touchscreen features before; for example, in 2016, they introduced the Touch Bar—a touchscreen strip meant to replace traditional function keys—but it was ultimately discontinued.

Additionally, the iPad Magic Keyboard, launched in 2020, allowed users to transform their tablets into laptop-like devices and has become a top-selling accessory for the brand.