Apple makes its move with a project that has been making headlines for years: a MacBook Pro with touchscreen. Several well-respected sources—including Mark Gurman and Ming-Chi Kuo—indicate that prototypes are already underway and that their launch is planned between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027.
The plan does not involve turning the Mac into a tablet: the computer will retain full keyboard and trackpad, while the touchpad will serve as an additional method for specific gestures, quick adjustments, or scrolling. The strategy, for now, is limit the novelty to the Pro family and observe the market response before extending it to other models.
Design, display and ergonomics: what changes
Apple's new professional laptop will focus on OLED display, which will mark the first time this technology reaches a Mac. A chassis is expected thinner and lighter, reduced frames and the elimination of the notch in favor of a camera integrated into a Dynamic Island style holeThe configurations would remain at 14 and 16 inches.
Internally, teams are identified by code names. K114 and K116. In addition to slimming down the overall look, Apple has designed a reinforced hinge and more rigid display hardware to minimize movement or “bounce” when touching the screen, a common complaint with other brands of touchscreen laptops.
Touch interaction isn't meant to reinvent macOS, but rather to complement its use. Many system controls—such as those on the Control center— already follow patterns close to iOS and iPadOS, so gestures like scrolling, moving windows, or adjusting sliders with your finger fit seamlessly. natural without forcing a 2-in-1 experience.
In performance, the models would incorporate the M6 chip line, with the goal of achieving a leap in power and efficiency when they reach the market. This generation change fits with the leaked schedule for late 2026 or early 2027.
The cost of the components – especially the OLED screen and the new hinge system – will likely push the price up: there is talk of several hundred euros/dollars more compared to current MacBook Pros with similar features.
Strategy, context and roadmap
The company will take a cautious approach: first, Pro range; then, and only if the reception is positive, possible expansions to the rest of the catalog. This is a common pattern for Apple when introducing significant features, prioritizing its most advanced devices.
The turnaround is significant when you look back. Steve Jobs once said that “Touch surfaces don’t want to be vertical”, and Tim Cook compared merging laptop and tablet to joining a toaster and a refrigerator. The intermediate attempt was the touch Bar of 2016, finally withdrawn due to its lukewarm acceptance.
The market has also matured. Following the explosion of touchscreen laptops driven by Windows 8, the sector shifted towards more finished and high-end proposals. Apple would have waited for the technology —OLED panels, hinges and software—was polished enough to take the plunge with its own approach.
In parallel, the border between iPad and Mac has become more diffuse: closer interfaces, shared architecture chips, and increasingly intertwined app ecosystems. With the demand for cooler tablets, a touch-enabled MacBook Pro fits the bill. new usage habits without giving up the keyboard and trackpad.
No other touchscreen Macs are expected to be in active development in the short term. Apple is also considering longer-term changes such as the jump from Touch ID to Face ID on the Mac, although that transition isn't imminent. Meanwhile, the Pro lineup itself would continue to iterate with next-generation chips until the touch model arrives.
If everything goes as the leaks indicate, the next few years will bring a MacBook Pro that combines OLED, slimmer design y camera without notch With a touchscreen designed for everyday use, support for M6 chips, and a higher price tag, this is a measured move that seeks to add interaction options without altering the essence of the professional laptop.
