Apple reportedly pursuing touchscreen MacBook Pro models with a 2025 launch window
Bloomberg reports that Apple is actively developing touchscreen versions of its MacBook Pro laptops and aims to unveil the devices before the year 2025. The coverage suggests a significant shift in Apple’s product strategy, signaling a potential first for the company if a touchscreen Mac becomes a reality. Industry insiders cited by Bloomberg highlight the hands-on involvement of Apple engineers, underscoring the seriousness of the project and the possibility that touch-enabled MacBooks could arrive as part of a broader refresh cycle for the MacBook Pro line.
Historically, Apple has resisted the idea of combining touch input with macOS on laptops. In public remarks dating back to 2010, Steve Jobs critiqued the ergonomics of adding a touchscreen to a Mac, calling the approach potentially impractical for long sessions at a keyboard. Later, in 2012, Tim Cook publicly joked about Microsoft tying together tablet and laptop functionality in a single device. The new Bloomberg report positions Apple at a crossroads, weighing ergonomic considerations against the appeal of direct touch input on a desktop‑class operating system.
Bloomberg indicates that the touchscreen MacBook Pro concept would align with a broader hardware refresh in 2025. In addition to touch input, the plan reportedly involves a shift away from traditional liquid crystal display technology in favor of LED technology to deliver higher contrast images. This display transition would complement the anticipated touch interface by enhancing overall visual quality and battery efficiency, two factors that play a critical role in premium notebooks used for creative work, software development, and multimedia tasks.
The Bloomberg narrative also notes a strategic realization within Apple: laptops have increasingly become the primary computing device for many users, even as tablets remain popular. This shift appears to motivate consideration of a touchscreen Mac as a way to unify on‑device experiences across a broader range of tasks and user contexts. If realized, the touchscreen MacBook Pro would mark a notable evolution in Apple’s design language and product philosophy, reflecting a willingness to blend traditional keyboard-based workflows with modern touch interactions that users have come to expect on tablets and some smartphones.
While the project’s prospects remain speculative, observers are watching closely for any official confirmation or product demonstrations from Apple. The focus remains on how a touchscreen Mac would integrate with macOS, software optimizations for touch input, and how it would handle accessibility and ergonomics for professional users who rely on precise cursor control and extended typing sessions. The discussion also touches on the potential impact on accessories, software development cycles, and the broader ecosystem around macOS devices as the company contemplates a more versatile hardware lineup.
In summary, Bloomberg’s reporting frames a serious terminally that could redefine how Apple approaches notebook computing. The possible shift toward touchscreen MacBooks would come after years of skepticism from some of the company’s most influential leaders, signaling a potential readiness to adapt to consumer and professional demand for more interactive, flexible hardware options. The overall narrative remains one of careful consideration, rigorous testing, and a measured path toward a refined product that could coexist with Apple’s existing non-touch MacBook Pro designs while introducing new capabilities for a wider audience.