The touch version of the MacBook Pro may debut next year, attracting attention with its OLED screen and notchless design

Media reports indicate that Apple plans to launch its first touchscreen Mac computer—a redesigned MacBook Pro, expected to be released in late 2026 or early 2027. According to sources cited by the media, these new models are codenamed K114 and K116, and will not only be thinner and lighter but will also feature M6 series chips. Analysts believe this move signifies Apple's attempt to catch up with trends in the entire computer industry. Over a decade ago, many manufacturers had already launched touchscreen laptops, while Apple has been researching better solutions for years, trying to improve upon existing designs. As early as January 2023, media reports revealed that Apple was developing a touchscreen MacBook Pro. Insiders told the media that this new MacBook Pro will use an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, the same standard used in the iPhone and iPad Pro, marking Apple's first use of this higher-end, thinner screen in a Mac product. Apple's stock price fell on Thursday afternoon, but the decline narrowed after the news broke. Prices May Be Higher According to reports, the new MacBook Pro will continue to retain a full touchpad and physical keyboard, similar to practices by manufacturers like Dell, Acer, Lenovo, and Microsoft. This means that users who are not accustomed to touch operations can continue to use traditional methods. Additionally, the new MacBook Pro will eliminate the existing "notch" design (the camera cutout at the top of the screen) in favor of a hole-punch design similar to the iPhone's "Dynamic Island," allowing the camera to be surrounded by the screen. Apple has also developed reinforced hinges and screen components to address the common issue of screen wobbling during touch interactions on touchscreen laptops. The media reports that due to the use of more expensive components, the prices of the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro may be several hundred dollars higher than the current versions. Currently, the starting price for the high-end MacBook Pro without touch functionality is $1,999 for the 14-inch model and $2,499 for the 16-inch model. The existing MacBook Pro design dates back to 2021, but Apple just released a base version of the 14-inch model equipped with the M5 chip this past Wednesday. Previous reports indicated that Apple also plans to launch unchanged M5 Pro and M5 Max versions in early 2026. Change in Anti-Touchscreen Stance Insiders pointed out to the media that Apple is not currently actively advancing the development of more touchscreen Macs but intends to first observe the market response to this touchscreen MacBook Pro. This is also Apple's consistent strategy—first testing new features on high-end models before rolling them out to more product lines. For many years, Apple has opposed equipping Mac computers with touchscreen functionality, believing that such designs are both difficult to use and not ergonomic. Apple prefers to encourage users who want a touchscreen interface to purchase an iPad The late Apple CEO Steve Jobs stated as early as 2010 that "touch interfaces are not suitable for vertical operations," implying that this type of interaction is not applicable to computer screens. Current CEO Tim Cook has also sarcastically remarked that combining tablets and laptops is like "putting a toaster and a refrigerator together." Apple attempted a compromise in 2016 by launching the Touch Bar—a touch strip located above the keyboard that replaced the traditional function key row and provided task-related control options. However, this feature was ultimately not widely accepted and has been removed from products in recent years. Internally, Apple was concerned that a touch-enabled Mac would eat into iPad sales. However, in recent years, iPad growth has slowed, while touch screens have gradually become a standard feature for PCs. In fact, Apple has been gradually narrowing the gap between the iPad and Mac by unifying their operating interfaces, processors, and application ecosystems. The iPad Magic Keyboard launched in 2020 further demonstrated that users welcome a mixed operation method of touch, keyboard, and trackpad; this accessory has become an important selling point for the iPad Pro. Equipping the MacBook Pro with touch functionality is expected to drive users to upgrade to higher-end products, bringing new revenue opportunities. Although the $999 MacBook Air remains Apple's best-selling laptop, the high-end MacBook Pro with added touch functionality may attract users to upgrade or switch from Windows PCs to the Apple ecosystem. Additionally, Apple is developing a new MacBook Air equipped with the M5 chip, codenamed J813 and J815, which is planned for release in the spring of next year. The company is also advancing a new version of the Mac Studio, Mac mini, and two external monitors, codenamed J427 and J527. Apple is also exploring a significant change in another Mac product line: transitioning from Touch ID (fingerprint recognition) to Face ID (facial recognition), but this change is expected to take several years to implement