Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple to Add Touch Screen to Next-Gen MacBook Pro
Apple is reportedly planning to equip its upcoming MacBook Pro with a touchscreen display, according to a new report from respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The move would mark the first time a Mac laptop has featured a touch-enabled screen, blurring the lines between the Mac and iPad product families.
The report states that the first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen will also be the first to feature an OLED display, with the panels being manufactured by Samsung. Kuo notes that this model is rumoured to be released in 2026, with mass production slated to begin in late 2026.
According to Kuo, this strategic pivot is the result of “Apple’s long-term observation of iPad user behaviour,” suggesting that the company has concluded that touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience in certain scenarios. This observation also appears to have alleviated any internal concerns that a touchscreen MacBook would cannibalise sales of Apple’s popular tablets.
While details remain sparse, questions are being raised about the new MacBook’s potential form factor. It is currently unclear whether the device will feature a 360-degree hinge for a tablet-like mode or support the Apple Pencil stylus.
In addition to the high-end MacBook Pro, Kuo also commented on a rumoured entry-level MacBook. This more affordable model, which is expected to utilise an Apple A18 Pro chipset and target a USD 700 price point, will not have a touchscreen in its first generation. However, the analyst added that a touchscreen is under discussion for the second-generation model, which could arrive in 2027.
The introduction of touchscreens to the MacBook lineup represents a major change for Apple, which has historically resisted the feature, with co-founder Steve Jobs famously declaring that vertical touch surfaces were “ergonomically terrible.” This reported shift suggests a new direction for the company as it seeks to integrate a more tactile user experience into its desktop operating system.
