Apple could be preparing to introduce one of the biggest changes to the MacBook Pro lineup in years. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro models are expected to launch as soon as next month.
The move would represent a major shift for Apple’s Mac strategy, as the company has traditionally kept touch interaction exclusive to the iPhone and iPad while relying on keyboards, trackpads and other input methods on the Mac.
First touchscreen MacBook Pro
The upcoming MacBook Pro is reportedly expected to feature a touchscreen display, allowing users to interact directly with macOS by tapping and swiping on the panel.
Apple has previously experimented with touch-related features on its Mac hardware, most notably the Touch Bar, but has resisted adding a full touchscreen to its laptops.
That could finally change with the next-generation MacBook Pro.
A major change to Apple’s laptop strategy
Adding a touchscreen would bring the MacBook Pro closer to Windows laptops that already combine traditional laptop controls with touch displays.
However, Apple is reportedly approaching the feature differently from a typical 2-in-1 PC. The MacBook Pro is expected to retain its traditional laptop design rather than turning into a tablet with a detachable or fully rotating keyboard.
The touchscreen would instead provide an additional way of interacting with macOS while keeping the keyboard and trackpad as important parts of the user experience.
New hardware expected
The touchscreen MacBook Pro is also expected to arrive alongside other hardware improvements. Apple is reportedly preparing new-generation chips and internal upgrades for its professional notebook lineup.
The combination of a new processor generation and a touchscreen could make the upcoming MacBook Pro one of the more significant Mac releases in recent years.
Apple’s decision to introduce touch could also encourage developers to reconsider how their macOS applications are designed, particularly if touch interaction becomes a larger part of the platform.
Launch reportedly coming next month
According to Gurman’s report, Apple could launch the new touchscreen MacBook Pro as soon as next month. The company has not yet officially confirmed the launch date or the touchscreen feature.
As with any information based on reports ahead of an official announcement, details could still change before Apple unveils the device.
If the report proves accurate, however, Apple is about to enter a new era for the MacBook Pro. A touchscreen Mac would represent a notable departure from Apple’s long-standing approach to laptop design and could reshape how users interact with macOS.
