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Apple has introduced 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with touch-enabled OLED displays, its first MacBook with a touchscreen, according to MacRumors in a report dated October 30. The laptops can be pre-ordered now and launch on Friday, November 6.
Key facts
- Sizes: 14-inch and 16-inch, with a touch display branded ProLED XDR.
- Availability: pre-orders are open, with launch on November 6.
- Input: Apple says the keyboard and trackpad remain the primary methods, and touch is an optional addition.
- Multi-touch: supports up to 10 fingers at once, per details MacRumors relayed from Numerama.
- Software: touch optimizations ship in macOS 27 Golden Gate.
How touch works on the Mac
MacRumors summarized 15 details shared by Nicolas Lellouche of Numerama, who attended Apple's hands-on event in Los Angeles. A long press acts as a right click, and swiping up from the bottom edge brings up the Dock. Dragging a window quickly left or right triggers Split View. Items in lists space out when touched, and the window "traffic light" buttons expand when pressed.
9to5Mac adds that trackpad gestures also work on the screen, including a three-finger swipe up for Mission Control, three-finger swipes between spaces, pinch to zoom and scrolling. Context menus in the menu bar get larger items, and many optimized apps have bigger touch targets. The two outlets describe Spotlight access differently: MacRumors says a swipe down from the top of the screen brings it up, while 9to5Mac says it can be reached from the Dynamic Island.
Developers get a specific benefit. 9to5Mac says the iOS simulator can be navigated fully by touch, so there is no need to imitate touch gestures with a trackpad.
Safeguards and settings
Several details address accidental input. If the lid is closed while a finger is on the display, touch is temporarily disabled. Touching the screen does not wake the machine. The camera is stabilized so video calls do not shake when the screen is touched. Settings let users turn off touch input entirely, as well as the illuminated Apple logo on the lid. Live Activities from iPhone apps can appear in the Dynamic Island.
Apple's stated reasoning, per the Numerama details, is that a generation of young creators grew up on touchscreens, and that music creators prefer touch over trackpads for controlling virtual instruments.
What to watch next
The line may shift again soon. Gadgets 360, citing Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, reports on November 2 that Apple is expected to introduce second-generation touchscreen MacBook Pro models next year, possibly with M7 Pro and M7 Max processors. The same report says Apple is reportedly developing an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M7 chip, and that non-touch MacBook Pro models may be discontinued next year. India Today carried a similar headline about next-generation touch models with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips on the same date. These items are reports, not Apple announcements.
Software is the other thing to follow. 9to5Mac notes that macOS 27 already includes pull to refresh in Safari and slightly wider menu bar spacing on all Macs, and that Apple says more Mac touch optimizations are coming. The outlet expects further changes at the next WWDC.
