Apple's PROLED XDR MacBook Pro reignites laptop touchscreen debate
Apple introduces its first touchscreen laptop, challenging 16 years of skepticism about the feature's utility on portable computers.
What to know
- Apple introduced its first touchscreen laptop, the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, breaking with a 16-year policy that began with Steve Jobs's 2010 dismissal of the feature.
- User skepticism persists: commenters question the practical utility of touchscreens on laptops and whether consumers would simply choose iPads instead.
- Some industry voices, including PCMag, are beginning to reconsider their opposition after seeing Apple's advanced display technology, suggesting the feature may gain acceptance if well-implemented.
The dispute Whether Apple's advanced display technology can finally justify the adoption of touchscreens on laptops, or whether the feature remains fundamentally misaligned with laptop form factors and use cases. · positions read across 8 posts and comments
Touchscreens on laptops are impractical and solve no real problem.
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“Am I out of touch? The last thing I want on a laptop is a touch screen. Is there a massive market for this I'm not aware of?”
@oscargws · X ↗
Apple's PROLED XDR technology makes touchscreen laptops worth reconsidering.
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“I Never Wanted a Touch-Screen Laptop. Apple's New PROLED XDR MacBook Has Me Reconsidering”
PCMag · PCMag Opinions ↗
Steve Jobs Former Apple CEOApple Technology company
How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts
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4
GSMArena launches poll on touchscreen laptop utility
GSMArena publishes a weekly poll asking readers whether touchscreens on laptops make sense, reflecting ongoing industry and user uncertainty about the feature's practical value.
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first by BigGo Finance, 10d ago · also Business Standard, Lifehacker, AugustMan Singapore, Macworld, Tom's Hardware
5 more headlines
- Touchscreen MacBook is a step forward, but Apple has more to do: Analysts Business Standard · 10d ago
- Apple Is About to Release a Touchscreen MacBook Pro (Plus Four More Devices) Lifehacker · 10d ago
- Apple Unveils Its First Touchscreen Laptop, The New MacBook Pro: All About It AugustMan Singapore · 9d ago
- Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro is here Macworld · 9d ago
- Apple finally has a touchscreen MacBook. Why now? Tom's Hardware · 9d ago
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first by GSMArena.com, 12d ago
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For 1 and 2, I think the issue is not does it cost more to manufacture it rather will Apple no charge (even more of) a premium for the feature. As long as it stays an option, then it is fine. Maybe even a toggle to turn it off. I have used laptops with a touch screen and it is annoying when you point at something on the screen and you get a touch…
2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
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A
When Apple launched the new touch-enabled MacBook Pros, the M5 Pro and M5 Max models stuck around. A new report says to not expect that to last. https:// appleinsider.com/articles/26/1 1/01/apple-to-eliminate-non-touch-macbooks-pros-other-than-core-14-inch-model?utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon
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I have gone through multiple laptops in my time since as a FE-SWE. Every time I get a new work laptop I immediately check for and disable the touch screen. People don't understand how annoying it is to have your cursor bounce around just because you wanted to tilt your screen or grab your device.
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PCMag columnist reconsiders position on laptop touchscreens
A PCMag opinion piece reverses the author's long-held skepticism, suggesting that Apple's PROLED XDR technology and display quality may finally make touchscreen laptops worth reconsidering after years of dismissing the concept.
“I Never Wanted a Touch-Screen Laptop. Apple's New PROLED XDR MacBook Has Me Reconsidering…”
— PCMag -
background
Apple introduces first touchscreen MacBook with PROLED XDR Display — Apple broke with its 16-year tradition by unveiling the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, its first laptop with a touchscreen. The announcement represents a significant shift in company philosophy and comes after iterations in Apple's touch-screen technology and changes in executive leadership.
- 1 day quiet
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2
Early reviews and user reactions remain mixed on touchscreen feature
Reviewers and users continue to express reservations about laptop touchscreens, though some acknowledge alternative uses like iPad sidecar functionality. Some commenters remain fundamentally unconvinced of the feature's purpose.
“I actually don't like touchscreens on laptops. The first impressions from reviewers confirm that.”
— roshn.me@bsky.brid.gy -
R
I actually don't like touchscreens on laptops. The first impressions from reviewers confirm that. I do like using an iPad as a sidecar though. I also don't have a reason (or the moolah) to upgrade. RE:
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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Can someone please explain this to me? I don't get it. Why do I want to touch my laptop screen?
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- 1 day quiet
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Tech users express skepticism about touchscreen utility
Community members voice doubts about the practical value of touchscreens on laptops, questioning whether such features address a real market demand or if users would simply opt for iPads instead.
“Am I out of touch? The last thing I want on a laptop is a touch screen. Is there a massive market for this I'm not aware of?”
— @oscargws -
Am I out of touch? The last thing I want on a laptop is a touch screen. Is there a massive market for this I'm not aware of? Wouldn't they buy iPads?
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background
Steve Jobs dismisses laptop touchscreens as impractical — During his Mac OS X Lion keynote, Steve Jobs cast serious doubt on the concept of laptop touchscreens, effectively vowing the feature would never appear on MacBook devices. Jobs attributed the unsuitability to the horizontal orientation of laptop screens compared to phones and tablets.
Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by NewsBytes, 11d ago · also Firstpost, The Mac Observer, India Today
3 more headlines
- Apple’s next-generation touchscreen MacBook Pros with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips expected next year: Report Firstpost · 11d ago
- Apple’s Next Touchscreen MacBook Pro to Get M7 Pro and M7 Max Chips Next Year, Report Says The Mac Observer · 11d ago
- Apple to launch next-gen touch-screen MacBook Pro with M7 Pro, M7 Max chips India Today · 10d ago
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first by AppleInsider, 11d ago · also The Mac Observer, iPhone in Canada
3 more headlines
- Apple Set To Drop Non-Touch MacBook Pros As Touchscreen Models Take Over ChannelNews.com.au · 10d ago
- Apple May Stop Making Non-Touch MacBook Pros in the Coming Years, Says Report The Mac Observer · 10d ago
- Gurman: M7 Touch MacBook Pro Next Year May Drop Non-Touch Pros iPhone in Canada · 10d ago
and 5 smaller pieces
What people are saying 2 voices from 2 sites · best of 8 · verbatim
- Nov 2
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P
One of our longtime Mac users says: "I’ve long agreed with Steve Jobs’ historic disdain for laptop touch screens. But after using the first touch-enabled MacBook Pro, I think I've changed my mind." https://www. pcmag.com/opinions/apples-prol ed-xdr-macbook-pro-might-sell-me-on-touch-screen-laptops
- Nov 1
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The time and money spent on R&D for touchscreens on laptops has been making them money for several decades. It’s called iPod Touch, iPhone and IPad sales.