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Apple Launches First Touchscreen MacBook Pro With OLED Display

After years of resisting touchscreen laptops, Apple has officially introduced a MacBook Pro lineup featuring an OLED touchscreen display, M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, and a starting price of $2,899.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 28, 2026 · Updated: October 28, 2026 · 3 min read

Apple Launches First Touchscreen MacBook Pro With OLED Display — Image: TechCrunch

A Major Design Shift for Apple Laptops

Apple has officially entered the touchscreen laptop market. At an event, the company [launched] an all-new MacBook Pro featuring a touchscreen, marking a major departure from years of leadership resistance against touch-enabled macOS devices. Past executives like Steve Jobs previously dismissed touchscreen laptops as ergonomically unfavorable, while former CEO Tim Cook famously scoffed at the convergence of tablets and laptops.

Rumors regarding Apple developing touch-screen MacBooks circulated for years before this official introduction. The new laptop lineup includes both 14-inch and 16-inch sizes. Preorders open shortly, with the devices reaching consumers on November 6. The 14-inch model starts at $2,899, while the 16-inch version begins at $3,399.

Apple announces its first touchscreen MacBook Pro — Image related to the report from The Verge · Source: The Verge

PROLED XDR Display and Touch Capabilities

The centerpiece of the new hardware is Apple’s tandem OLED screen, marketed as the PROLED XDR display. It achieves up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 120Hz variable refresh rate. Apple integrated the touch sensor directly into the display panel rather than layering it on top, a move designed to reduce latency.

To keep the screen stable during physical interactions, Apple engineered a newly designed hinge. This structural adjustment also helps stabilize the built-in camera during video calls while users access on-screen content. Demonstration footage from the company showcased users dragging files and utilizing multi-touch gestures like pinch-to-zoom in a traditional laptop orientation.

Performance and Internal Specifications

Under the hood, the new laptops offer choices of M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. Memory configurations scale up to 128GB of unified memory, while storage capacity reaches an expansive 16TB. The M5 Pro variant supports up to three external displays, whereas the M5 Max configuration drives up to four external monitors simultaneously.

Connectivity options remain robust across both sizes. The machines feature three Thunderbolt 5 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, MagSafe, and a headphone jack. Battery life extends up to 24 hours depending on usage and configuration.

Watch Apple’s reveal video for the touchscreen MacBook Pro — Image related to the report from The Verge · Source: The Verge

Physical Refinements and New Design Details

The updated MacBook Pro models are noticeably lighter and thinner than their predecessors. The 14-inch model weighs approximately 3 pounds (1.38 kg), while the 16-inch model comes in at 4 pounds (1.82 kg). Slimmer bezels allow for slightly larger display real-estate, measuring 14.2 inches on the smaller model and 16.3 inches on the larger one.

At the top of the display, the traditional camera notch has been replaced by a Dynamic Island-style cutout capable of showing Live Activities. Additionally, the device brings back a retro touch: the Apple logo on the rear lid glows once more. Sound is handled by an enhanced six-speaker array featuring a new woofer design aimed at delivering deeper bass and better clarity.

Apple announces touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED display — Image related to the report from Ars Technica · Source: Ars Technica

Broader Product Context

This hardware introduction arrives alongside other major company releases under new CEO John Ternus. The executive previously introduced the company's first foldable device, the iPhone Duo, earlier in September. The touchscreen MacBook Pro launch also follows closely behind a separate update introducing standard models featuring the M6 chip in a 14-inch size starting from $1,999.