In his first Power On podcast , Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said he believes Apple will introduce the long-awaited 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with OLED touchscreens in October or November of this year. The news has sparked excitement among tech enthusiasts, as Apple appears to be making a major upgrade to its popular laptops.
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The addition of a touchscreen to the MacBook Pro is a significant change in direction for Apple, which has so far avoided incorporating this feature into its laptops. OLED technology offers rich colors and high contrast, significantly improving the viewing experience. OLED touchscreens are expected to offer users a more interactive experience, enabling new ways to interact with macOS.
“I believe Apple will introduce its first MacBook Pro touchscreen,” Gurman said. “It could be delayed until November, but October is likely.” Apple is testing the laptops with macOS 27.2, which is currently in beta, he added. The software update is expected to be released toward the end of October, so the touchscreen MacBook Pro models could be announced later this month.
In addition to the OLED touch display, the new MacBook Pro models are expected to feature Apple's existing M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, which offer high performance and energy efficiency. The thinner design and the addition of Dynamic Island instead of the traditional notch are expected to give the new models a more modern and elegant look.
A few years ago, Gurman reported that Apple was exploring the idea of Macs that could connect to a 5G or LTE network without relying on an iPhone's hotspot. For this reason, some Apple fans are hoping that the touchscreen MacBook Pro models will be equipped with the company's custom C1X or C2 modem. This feature would allow users to stay connected to the Internet even when they are away from Wi-Fi networks, offering greater flexibility and productivity.
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The touchscreen models are expected to sit above the regular 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which are rumored to be upgraded to M7 Pro and M7 Max processors next year. It's unclear whether the touchscreen models will retain the MacBook Pro branding or if Apple will opt for something unique like the MacBook Ultra.
Apple's move to introduce touchscreens to the MacBook Pro could be seen as a response to competition from other companies that have already integrated this feature into their products. Microsoft, for example, has offered touchscreens on its Surface laptops for years, and adding this feature to the MacBook Pro could strengthen Apple's position in the laptop market.
The announcement of the new MacBook Pro with touch could have significant implications for users and organizations. Professionals who use MacBook Pro for creative work, such as video editing and graphic design, will benefit from the increased flexibility and new capabilities that touch offers. In addition, organizations that rely on laptops for their daily operations will be able to take advantage of improvements in performance and connectivity.
See also: MacBook Pro: Only the M6 Pro and M6 Max will have an OLED display?
Overall, the introduction of the new MacBook Pro with touchscreen is an exciting development for Apple and its users. By adding this technology, Apple shows its willingness to innovate and adapt to the needs of modern users, while maintaining the high quality and reliability that characterize its products.
