Apple's first touchscreen Mac may be just days away. The company is expected to announce new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with OLED touchscreens through a press release on October 28, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in his Power On newsletter, as reported by Gadgets 360.
Apple has invited select journalists to a "Pro and Tell" hands-on session in Los Angeles at 10 am Pacific time (10:30 pm IST) that day. Apple has not confirmed what it will show.
What is reportedly changing
- OLED displays in place of the mini-LED panels on today's high-end MacBook Pro.
- Touch support, offered as an extra way to use the laptop rather than a replacement for the keyboard and trackpad.
- A Dynamic Island at the top of the screen instead of the notch, for alerts and ongoing activities.
- A design similar to the current models, but lighter.
The chips are not expected to change: Gurman says the new laptops will keep the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors that arrived with the current line-up in March.
Software built for touch
The touchscreen is expected to come with a version of macOS reportedly called Golden Gate. According to Gurman, its interface adapts to how the laptop is being used. Tapping certain buttons could bring up menus around the user's finger, and the Dock and menu bar are expected to be adjusted for touch.
What it may cost
OLED panels are expected to push prices up. In the US, the current 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max options starts at $2,499 and the 16-inch at $2,999. The report says the OLED touchscreen models could start up to $500 higher. The mini-LED models are expected to stay on sale for a while before being phased out.
Why it matters
Apple has kept touchscreens off the Mac for years, so a touch MacBook Pro would be a major change of direction for its laptops. Indian prices and availability have not been reported. Until Apple makes an announcement, all of these details remain reported, not confirmed.