According to the source review from The Verge, Apple has introduced its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, breaking with over a decade of resistance to touch interfaces on its laptops. The review highlights Apple's efforts to optimize macOS for touch, alongside notable reductions in weight and size compared to previous models, making this a significant update to the MacBook Pro line.
- First MacBook Pro models to feature touchscreen capability
- Lighter and thinner than previous non-touch MacBook Pro models
- macOS adapted for better touchscreen interaction
Product angle
The Verge’s detailed hands-on review emphasizes that Apple’s new MacBook Pro models are the company’s initial foray into combining touchscreen technology with the Mac laptop form factor. After years of resistance rooted in ergonomic concerns, Apple has redesigned macOS to better accommodate touch inputs. The models are redesigned with displays that respond to touch and demonstrate lighter weights and smaller footprints than their non-touch predecessors.
This evolution reflects Apple’s calibrated approach to a longstanding debate around touchscreen laptops, recognizing that while ergonomic challenges remain, users can benefit from tactile screen interaction in select tasks. The 14-inch and 16-inch PROLED XDR display models stand out for their balance between performance specs and enhanced input versatility, making them a notable step in Apple’s product design trajectory.
Best for / avoid if
These touchscreen MacBook Pros are best suited to professionals and creatives who want a premium laptop with advanced display technology and occasional touchscreen use. Users who appreciate a lighter and more compact MacBook with enhanced macOS touch support will find value here. The devices maintain Apple’s hallmark build quality, appealing to users invested in the Mac ecosystem seeking new interaction modes.
However, users focused on traditional ergonomic principles—avoiding the strain of repeated arm lifting to touch the screen—may prefer to avoid this model. Hardcore typists or those who prioritize keyboard and trackpad proficiency over screen interaction might find the touchscreen addition less compelling. Additionally, buyers seeking more affordable or simpler laptop options may look elsewhere.
Pricing and alternatives to check
While the source review does not specify pricing details, Apple’s MacBook Pro refresh typically targets the premium market segment, priced accordingly for high-end users who demand cutting-edge features and build quality. This new touchscreen feature is integrated alongside performance improvements, which may influence cost compared to previous generations.
Prospective buyers should compare the new touchscreen MacBook Pro against other premium laptops offering touchscreens, such as high-end Windows-based ultrabooks or convertibles from Microsoft’s Surface line. Additionally, evaluating Apple’s own non-touch MacBook Pro models with comparable hardware but lower weight can help buyers balance touch preference against price and ergonomics.