Apple has announced a new product showcase called Pro and Tell for October 28, and the name has fuelled speculation that the company could finally introduce a touchscreen MacBook Pro. The upcoming launch is expected to bring a redesigned high-end MacBook Pro, new Macs and an updated iPad mini, with several upgrades to displays and design.
Unlike a traditional Apple launch event, the October showcase will not feature a live keynote. Instead, the company is expected to announce its new products through press releases, while selected members of the media will get an opportunity to try the devices in person in Los Angeles.
The biggest expected change is the arrival of a touchscreen on the MacBook Pro. Apple has resisted adding touch controls to its laptops for years, even as Windows laptop makers have increasingly adopted the feature. If the reports are accurate, the upcoming MacBook Pro could become the first Mac to support touch input alongside its traditional keyboard and trackpad.
Leaked specifications suggest that Apple could introduce touch support on the MacBook Pro for the first time alongside the traditional keyboard and trackpad. The 14-inch and 16-inch models are expected to feature OLED panels for richer colours, deeper blacks and better contrast. Apple could also replace the existing display notch with a Dynamic Island-style cutout.
High-end models are expected to retain the existing processors instead of getting next-generation chips. The redesigned models could be slimmer and significantly lighter than current versions, featuring a reinforced hinge to help keep the display stable while users tap the screen. Apple is reportedly preparing software changes, including larger on-screen controls and menus designed for finger input.
OLED and touchscreen technology could push prices up by around 20 per cent, with the starting price potentially reaching the range of Rs 3.6 lakh in India, though users will need to wait for official confirmation at launch.
Apple has resisted adding touchscreens to MacBooks for years, arguing that laptops and tablets work best with different types of input. In 2010, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs described touchscreen laptops as ergonomically terrible, while software chief Craig Federighi said in 2018 that he was not in favour of touchscreens on laptops. Apple instead focused on touch controls for the iPad and kept MacBooks centred on keyboards and trackpads. The reported touchscreen MacBook Pro would suggest that the company is now reconsidering that approach, potentially bringing touch input to the Mac without replacing traditional controls.