According to the reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the first MacBook to feature a touchscreen will be next year’s MacBook Pro, which will also transition from an LCD display to an OLED display.
So far, Apple has reserved touchscreen technology only for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, even though competitors like Dell and Lenovo have begun integrating touchscreens into their laptops.
Apple previously explained that it created the “best touchscreen computer in the world, the iPad,” while the Mac is optimized for “indirect input,” namely mouse and keyboard.
Will a Touchscreen MacBook Launch in 2026?
However, there are signs that Apple is working on installing touchscreens in its laptops.
Market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated:
The MacBook models will feature a touchscreen for the first time, further blurring the lines between it and the iPad. This shift seems to reflect Apple’s long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain cases, touch can enhance both productivity and overall user experience.
The OLED MacBook Pro is expected to enter mass production by the end of 2026 and will utilize on-cell touch technology for its touchscreen panel.
Rumors about the MacBook adopting an OLED display have been around for a long time, but the addition of a touchscreen is unexpected. This means that macOS will also need to be adapted.
The current MacBook Pro from Apple, image source: Apple
Possible Future Expansion
Ming-Chi Kuo’s predictions are usually quite accurate, but not always. He noted that he predicted the iPhone Air 14 months ago.
According to Kuo, Apple is considering expanding touchscreen technology to new, more affordable MacBooks, which are rumored to be equipped with the iPhone’s A-series processor. However, this feature may not be available until the second generation of the product in 2027.
Kuo stated:
The more affordable MacBook models equipped with the iPhone’s processor are expected to enter mass production in the fourth quarter of 2025, but will not support a touchscreen. The second generation MacBook is expected to launch in 2027, with specifications still under discussion, and may support a touchscreen.