2026 MacBook Pro to feature OLED touchscreen

How is the iPad different now?

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported on X recently a new piece of information that blurs the line of iPad and MacBook even further – in 2026, Apple is supposedly releasing a touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro. This would be the first touchscreen on a MacBook ever, a long-awaited first for Apple, some might say.

However, with iPadOS 26, is it really needed? The iPad is such a powerful device, in a literal sense, and its software has always been holding the device back from its full potential. With iPadOS 26, it has clearly been brought further and has most of the macOS features people have been pining for like better window management.

But, in a world where the real versions of Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro and other creative applications are needed to complete work, especially combined with the power of the better M4 Pro and M4 Max chips, using an iPad still is just an iPad. The MacBook also won't get any better then, with a touchscreen, since it is just becoming a slightly more useful iPad with more power.

This obviously does not mean that it will be a bad product. However, I do think that we should think about two things when looking at this information. One: temper your expectations. It could be hit or miss – the touchscreen might be cool at first, but over time, you might realize you don't need it.

Two: pros don't necessarily need a touchscreen. Where this touchscreen would probably be more beneficial is on the lower tier MacBook Airs. This is because of the more versatile and light use cases the MacBook Air already brings. Pros are not often looking for a touchscreen on a laptop that doesn't fold 360 degrees, since the touchscreen would most likely be needed for art. I still think it would be cool to have the touchscreen in a MacBook, but not needed.

The OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro will be versatile and very cool, but also possibly a deal-breaker for MacBook buyers. We will have to wait and see what Apple does soon.