Katarzyna Petru
Apple laptops have been evolving conservatively for years. Processors change, performance improves, ports are coming back, and controversial additions like the Touch Bar are disappearing. However, the form itself remains almost untouched. That may change now.
End of the notch, time for touch
According to reports from Bloomberg, Apple is working on a MacBook Pro with a full-fledged touchscreen. This is a significant change in philosophy, as the company has claimed for years that touch in laptops makes no ergonomic sense. The new generation will combine traditional keyboard and trackpad controls with direct finger interaction on the screen. The macOS system will be appropriately adjusted. The interface is expected to recognize the method of interaction and dynamically enlarge menu elements when the user is using touch. This does not mean the end of the physical keyboard. Apple is not planning a hybrid-style tablet, but rather a full-fledged laptop with enhanced interaction.
OLED and Dynamic Island in the Laptop
The second major change is the transition from Mini-LED to a OLED panel, which will provide deeper blacks and higher contrast. This technology is known from iPhones and iPads Pro, and is now coming to MacBooks. The characteristic notch is also set to disappear. In its place, Apple is reportedly introducing a solution inspired by Dynamic Island, which is a dynamically changing cutout around the camera that reacts to notifications and background processes. To prevent the screen from wobbling when touched, the hinge design is intended to be additionally reinforced. At the same time, Apple aims to slim down the entire device's body.
M6 Chips and Higher Price
The new MacBook Pro is expected to be based on the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips, manufactured using a 2 nm process. This should translate into further performance increases while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. The launch of this revamped generation is anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027. However, the rise in production costs associated with OLED and the new design means one thing – the price will go up. It is reasonable to assume that the base configuration will not be cheap.
Apple is preparing the biggest change in the MacBook Pro line in years. The touchscreen, OLED panel, Dynamic Island, and M6 chips could completely transform the way macOS is used. This is an ambitious move that may attract new users but could also raise the price of the hardware to an even higher premium level.
Source: Bloomberg
