In a significant shift, Apple has unveiled a touchscreen MacBook Pro, starting at $2,899. This launch occurs nearly a decade after the company first experimented with touch technology via its Touch Bar feature on MacBooks, which was eventually phased out.
The latest MacBook Pro embraces the touchscreen concept fully, featuring a new PROLED XDR Display available in both 14-inch and 16-inch options. It is equipped with M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, offering configurations with up to 128GB of unified memory and 16TB of storage. The display boasts a peak brightness of 2000 nits for both HDR and SDR and an impressive contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1.
To enhance usability, Apple has introduced a hinge design that stabilizes the screen during touch interactions, which also improves camera stability during video calls while accessing on-screen content.
Moreover, the screen incorporates a Dynamic Island-style cutout, replacing the traditional notch found on current MacBook models. The new MacBook is also equipped with a six-speaker system featuring an updated woofer design for superior audio quality.
The 14-inch model weighs 3.0 pounds (1.38 kg), while the 16-inch version weighs 4.0 pounds (1.82 kg), making both lighter than their non-touch predecessors.
Both models come with three Thunderbolt 5 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, MagSafe charging, and a headphone jack. The M5 Pro variant can support three external displays, while the M5 Max can handle up to four.
The Touchscreen MacBook Pro 14-inch model starts at $2,899, with the 16-inch model beginning at $3,399.
Pre-orders for the new touchscreen MacBook Pro will commence on October 30, with availability slated for November 6.
This introduction marks a pivotal moment for Apple under the leadership of new CEO John Turnus, who recently launched the company’s first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, in September. Historically, figures such as Steve Jobs and Tim Cook have dismissed the idea of a touchscreen Mac, with Jobs notably labeling it “ergonomically terrible.” However, speculation about Apple’s development of this technology has been circulating since nearly three years prior to today’s launch.
This announcement follows the previous day’s introduction of a standard MacBook Pro featuring the M6 chip, which is available in a 14-inch model starting at $1,999.
