Apple is preparing a significant overhaul for its laptop lineup that will bring touch screen technology and the iPhone’s Dynamic Island to the Mac for the first time.
According to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says these long-awaited changes will debut on the high-end MacBook Pro models. Sources, who asked not to be identified because the plans are not yet public, say the first batch of these devices is slated for release toward the end of 2026.
The company is currently revamping the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models to add these capabilities. These laptops, code-named K114 and K116, will feature OLED display technology, which is the same screen tech used on current iPhones. The Dynamic Island will be built around a hole-punch-sized cutout for the camera at the centre top of the screen, providing a more compact look than the notch found on existing models.
Even with the addition of a touch screen, sources indicate that Apple will not position the MacBook Pro as an iPad replacement. Instead, the goal is to allow customers to use touch input as much or as little as they like, blending it with the traditional point-and-click approach. The new MacBook Pro will maintain a design similar to current models, including a full keyboard and a large trackpad.
To support this shift, the Mac will gain a refreshed user interface that can shift between being optimized for touch or mouse input. For instance, if a user touches a button, the interface will bring up a new type of menu surrounding their finger with relevant touch options. Tapping items in the top menu bar will cause those controls to enlarge, making them easier to select with a finger. The display will also support standard features like fast scrolling and pinch-to-zoom for images and documents.
Apple has long avoided making touch screen laptops, so this is a big U-turn. Co-founder Steve Jobs once called touch screens on a vertical surface ergonomically terrible. However, the company has already laid the groundwork for this transition with macOS Tahoe, which introduced design elements with more padding around icons and touch-friendly sliders in the control centre.
Gurman says these touch screen MacBook Pros are slated to debut later this fall, and if they do, will be alongside the expected iPhone 18 series lineup.
It seems Apple is adamant on not offering a MacBook that operates like a tablet like the Microsoft Surface. Nobody wants to hold their arms up to touch the screen as that’s just awkward at times. When will the iPad run a full blown macOS?
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
