MacBook with touch: Analyst expects it to do so at the end of 2026

Future MacBook models should get a touchscreen for the first time. This is claimed by the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has his sources in Apple’s supply chain in Asia. According to his information, a MacBook Pro with OLED display should be given the opportunity to operate with your finger, the Apple wants to publish the at the end of 2026.

Speculations about a touch operation for the MacBook go back to 2023. Even then, the connection to the introduction of OLED was established. The discussions as to whether this is a sensible or necessary expansion go back even longer. In 2016, Apple introduced the Touch Bar, an additional display above the keyboard, which, at least instead of the function keys, enabled controls generated by software. However, the concept did not come across great love and was finally discontinued.

Approach between Mac and iPad

The optimism of the observers, who still expect a touchscreen, is mainly based on developments in the software. Mac and iPad have approached each other more and more in recent years. IPADOS 26 currently has introduced more advanced window management. The Mac menu bar also moves in on the tablet and the mouse pointer, which is initially similar to a touch area, was replaced by a classic graphic corresponding to the Mac.

Kuo suspects that the border to the iPad continues to blackle. Apple’s observations of the iPad user behavior have shown that touch control elements could improve productivity and the entire user experience in certain scenarios. However, there are also critics of such an idea. They fear that the operation could become very unergonomic.

Cheap MacBook initially without a touch

In his X-Post Kuo also goes into the supposedly planned cheaper MacBook, which is to be operated with an iPhone processor. This device will go into mass production this year, he writes. However, a touch panel should not receive it. However, Apple’s medium-term planning stipulates that the second generation could be equipped with touch support. At least this is under discussion. However, this is not expected until 2027.