Apple may finally be getting ready to bring touch screens to its MacBook Pro lineup, according to new information from industry sources. The company is reportedly working on its first MacBook Pro with an OLED display that will also have built-in touch support. Mass production for this next-gen MacBook is expected to kick off in late 2026.
The decision is said to be driven by long-term trends. Apple has watched how people use the iPad for drawing, annotating, and navigation, and wants to give MacBook users similar capabilities without pulling them away from macOS. The move to OLED could mean richer colors, deeper blacks, and better energy efficiency than the LCD or mini-LED panels found in today’s models.
Apple has been staying away from touchscreens on MacBooks for years (for good measure, might I add), arguing that it makes more sense to keep touch on iPads and traditional trackpads for Mac users. Even Steve Jobs and Apple’s current software chief, Craig Federighi, have gone on record opposing the idea, saying it doesn’t suit the Mac’s ergonomics. But the company has now filed patents for the tech and seems ready to at least experiment.
If these plans go ahead, the first touchscreen MacBook Pro might launch in late 2026 or early 2027. Apple could even make design changes, like a lid that flips out to double as a drawing board, similar to what many Windows 2-in-1 laptops already offer. A more affordable MacBook powered by an iPhone processor is also expected to go into mass production in late 2025, but this model is not likely to feature a touchscreen until its second generation arrives, possibly in 2027.
If Apple pulls this off, it could mark a turning point for the MacBook Pro, bringing it closer to the hybrid devices already on the market, without sacrificing the productivity-focused experience that has made the MacBook a go-to tool for pros. Personally, I prefer the MacBook lineup as it is, and making a more “affordable” model would dilute the brand, but that’s just my thought.
