Apple finally builds a touchscreen Mac

Apple unveils its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, from $2,899, on sale Nov. 6.

According to CNBC, TechCrunch and Ars Technica, citing Apple's announcement.

Apple announced the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, its first laptop with a touchscreen. Per CNBC, it runs macOS, not an iPhone or iPad operating system. The 14-inch starts at $2,899 and the 16-inch at $3,399. Per Ars Technica, M5 Max configurations start at $4,499 and $4,799, before RAM or storage upgrades.

It uses M5 Pro or M5 Max chips with up to 128GB of memory and up to 16TB of storage. Per Ars Technica and TechCrunch, the OLED display reaches 2,000 nits peak brightness with a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio and keeps the 120 Hz variable refresh rate. Per TechCrunch, the 14-inch weighs 3.0 pounds and the 16-inch 4.0 pounds, lighter than the non-touch predecessors, and Apple designed a hinge that stabilizes the screen when touched. Per TechCrunch, Ars Technica and CNBC, a Dynamic Island-style cutout replaces the notch and the lid logo glows.

The reversal matters: TechCrunch says executives including Steve Jobs and Tim Cook scoffed at the idea in the past. CEO John Ternus told media and analysts in Los Angeles, "Yes, for the very first time, we are bringing touch to the Mac." IDC data cited by CNBC says only 17% of notebook PCs shipped globally this year will have touchscreens.

“Yes, for the very first time, we are bringing touch to the Mac.”John Ternus, Apple CEO, to media in Los Angeles

The facts we checked

According to CNBC, TechCrunch and Ars Technica, citing Apple's announcement

1. Apple announced its first laptop with a touchscreen, the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, going on sale Nov. 6.Fact · CNBC, TechCrunch, Ars Technica
2. The 14-inch model starts at $2,899 and the 16-inch starts at $3,399.Fact · CNBC, TechCrunch, Ars Technica
3. The laptop runs macOS, not an iPhone or iPad operating system.Reported · CNBC
4. It uses M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, with up to 128GB of memory and up to 16TB of storage.Fact · TechCrunch, Ars Technica
5. The OLED display reaches 2,000 nits peak brightness and has a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and keeps the 120 Hz variable refresh rate of its predecessors.Reported · Ars Technica, TechCrunch
6. The 14-inch model weighs 3.0 pounds (1.38 kg) and the 16-inch weighs 4.0 pounds (1.82 kg), lighter than the non-touch predecessors.Figure · TechCrunch
7. The camera notch is replaced by a Dynamic Island-style cutout, and the Apple logo on the lid glows.Reported · TechCrunch, Ars Technica, CNBC
8. Apple designed a hinge that stabilizes the screen when users touch it.Reported · TechCrunch
9. M5 Max configurations start at $4,499 for the 14-inch and $4,799 for the 16-inch, before RAM or storage upgrades.Figure · Ars Technica
10. "Yes, for the very first time, we are bringing touch to the Mac," said CEO John Ternus in live remarks to media and analysts in Los Angeles.Quote · CNBC
11. Ternus told The Wall Street Journal in 2021, as senior VP of hardware engineering: "We haven't really felt a reason to change that."Quote · CNBC
12. Steve Jobs reportedly called the idea of a touchscreen Mac "ergonomically terrible"; TechCrunch says executives including Jobs and Tim Cook scoffed at the idea in the past.Quote · TechCrunch
13. Only 17% of notebook PCs shipped globally this year will have touchscreens, according to IDC data.Figure · CNBC

Sources

• CNBCApple brings touch to the Mac, reversing years-old stance on touchscreen laptop
• The New York TimesApple Unveils Its First Touch-Screen MacBook Pro
• TechCrunchApple launches its new touchscreen MacBook Pro
• Ars TechnicaApple announces touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED display
• Tom's HardwareApple launches new MacBook Pro with touchscreen and OLED — starts at $2,899
• WiredThe Inside Story of Why Apple Finally Brought a Touch Display to the Mac