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US — The Verge

We’ve had touchscreen laptops for years. Can Apple make them better?

Devices1 min read

Apple is expected to announce a touchscreen MacBook Pro soon, something it has long refused to make. The Verge reviewer asks whether Apple can do touch on a laptop better than others have.

What happened

Apple is expected to reveal a MacBook with a touchscreen at its Pro and Tell event. For years, Apple said touchscreen laptops were a bad idea. Now rumors suggest it is changing its mind.

Key facts from the rumors

  • The new MacBook Pro is rumored to use an OLED display, a screen type known for deep blacks and bright colors.
  • It is rumored to use the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes.
  • The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro currently starts at $2,499, and an OLED touch screen would likely cost more.
  • The screen may have a Dynamic Island cutout for the webcam instead of a notch.

Apple's touchscreen history

In 2010, Steve Jobs said touchscreen laptops were ergonomically terrible, meaning hard on the body to use. Apple's closest attempt was the MacBook Pro Touch Bar, a thin touch strip above the keyboard, sold from 2016 to 2023. It replaced physical function keys and did not do much for most users.

Why it matters

A touchscreen can make laptops easier to use by letting you tap and drag right on the screen. If Apple gets it right, it could change how many people use their Macs. The writer also worries that a thinner design could hurt performance, battery life, and comfort.

What to watch

  • Whether the MacBook keeps a standard clamshell design or adds a more flexible hinge.
  • The final price of the OLED touch model.
  • Whether the new MacBook Pro is thinner and lighter, and whether performance stays strong.
  • How the touch features work in everyday apps.

Glossary

OLED
A type of screen where each tiny light makes its own color, so blacks look very deep.
Touch Bar
A thin touch strip above the keyboard on some MacBook Pro models, sold from 2016 to 2023.
Dynamic Island
Apple's name for a small cutout at the top of an iPhone screen that shows quick info and controls.
M5 Pro
An Apple chip, rumored to power the new touchscreen MacBook Pro.

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