Apple’s MacBook Pro set to get a touchscreen display, here's when it may launch

Apple MacBook Pro

For years, Apple has drawn a hard line between the MacBook and iPad, insisting the two serve different purposes. That line may be about to blur. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says select future MacBook models will feature a built-in touch panel for the first time — a shift that reflects Apple’s recognition of how users interact with iPads in certain workflows.

According to Kuo, the OLED MacBook Pro is expected to enter mass production by late 2026, equipped with on-cell touch technology. This would allow touch controls directly on the display without adding extra layers, keeping screens thin while improving responsiveness. For Apple, it signals a careful but clear step into hybrid computing territory.

However, not all Macs are joining the touch experiment. Kuo notes that Apple’s upcoming entry-level MacBook powered by an iPhone processor, set for production in Q4 2025, will launch without touch support. The device is seen as a cost-conscious option to broaden the Mac’s reach, especially among students and casual users. Touch may come later — Apple is reportedly still debating whether the second-generation model, expected in 2027, will add the feature.

If the prediction holds, Apple’s Mac strategy could soon mirror its broader ecosystem play: the iPad remains the pure touch-first device, while the Mac adopts touch in selective, higher-end contexts. That might be enough to satisfy long-standing demand without cannibalising the iPad entirely.