Apple has historically been opposed to incorporating a touchscreen into a MacBook. For as long as the company has offered the iPad, it has wanted to keep the devices separate by keeping touchscreens exclusive to the tablets. But according to a new report, that's going to change soon.
The report comes from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo on X. In the post, he said, "The OLED MacBook Pro, expected to enter mass production by late 2026, will incorporate a touch panel using on-cell touch technology." If it goes into production at the end of next year, that means the 2027 MacBook Pro could be the first to see a touchscreen.
Getting touchy
MacBook models will feature a touch panel for the first time, further blurring the line with the iPad. This shift appears to reflect Apple’s long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the…September 17, 2025
As mentioned, this would be a significant change for Apple, as the company has long resisted incorporating a touchscreen, even under Steve Jobs' leadership. It's curious why the company would think about shifting its view now.
Kuo said, "MacBook models will feature a touch panel for the first time, further blurring the line with the iPad. This shift appears to reflect Apple’s long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience."
Essentially, the analyst believes that Apple has recognized that in certain situations, a touchscreen is more effective for performing specific tasks. Personally, I don't agree. I've owned several Windows laptops with touchscreens, and I never use them. I could see an argument for graphic artists wanting a touchscreen, but that's mostly useful with a convertible form-factor.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has spoken about touchscreen MacBooks for some time now. He even claimed he expects "future iPads and Macs to both have touch screens (with vibrant OLED displays), run the same apps, and have similar user interface."
It'll be interesting to see how people respond to this if it actually happens. And if it does take off, will it hurt the sales of iPads, with buyers getting a similar experience from their laptops or vice versa? Only time will tell, but this rumor suggests that Apple is willing to adapt to the wants and needs of its customers, which is always a good thing — even if it took more than a decade to happen.
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