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Since October 28th, Apple has offered the MacBook Pro with and without a touchscreen, using the same chips. This won't last long: with the next generation of touch models, the Pro and Max variants without touchscreens will disappear. Only the entry-level model will remain without a touchscreen.
Apple currently offers the MacBook Pro with a PROLED XDR OLED display and touch input alongside the existing models with a Mini-LED display. Both are available with the M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, with the entry-level model featuring the M6 and a 14-inch screen below. This makes five MacBook Pro variants offering two display technologies side-by-side.
According to Mark Gurman's "Power On" newsletter on Bloomberg from November 1st, this duplication is only temporary. Gurman is usually correct about Apple's product plans. However, the chip planning for the MacBook Pro has been delayed several times in his reports, for example, when Apple was said to have abandoned plans for the M6 Pro and M6 Max.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The non-touch models, M5 Pro and M5 Max, are expected to disappear once the second generation of touch models is released in 2027.
- Gurman had named the M7 Pro and M7 Max for this generation in July.
- The entry-level 14-inch model is expected to switch to the M7 platform and receive the new, thinner and lighter casing, but without a touchscreen.
- This would mean that touch functionality on the MacBook Pro would be reserved for models with Pro and Max chips.
Five models, two displays
| Model | Chip | Display | Touch | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14 inch | M6 | Mini-LED | no | 2.299 € |
| MacBook Pro 14 inch | M5 Pro, M5 Max | Mini-LED | no | 2.899 € |
| MacBook Pro 16 inch | M5 Pro, M5 Max | Mini-LED | no | 3.399 € |
| MacBook Pro 14 inch PROLED XDR | M5 Pro, M5 Max | OLED | Yes | 3.299 € |
| MacBook Pro 16 inch PROLED XDR | M5 Pro, M5 Max | OLED | Yes | 3.899 € |
With the same chip, the main difference between the two series is the display, which uses OLED and touch instead of Mini-LED.
What Apple is supposed to rebuild in 2027
The current model lineup is set to end with the next generation. When the second generation of touch models is released, the non-touch variants with the Pro and Max chips will be discontinued. Anyone buying a MacBook Pro with one of the more powerful chips will then only be able to get it with a touchscreen. Gurman mentioned the M7 Pro and M7 Max as the models for this generation back in July.
The entry-level model will take a different path. It is expected to switch to the M7 platform and adopt the new casing of the Touch models, which is thinner and lighter than the previous one. According to the report, it will not have a touchscreen.
A different situation than in the summer
This changes the picture compared to July. At that time, Gurman reported that the entry-level MacBook Pro would receive the redesign as early as 2027, with the M7 processor and codename K104. The new design at that time included a slimmer case and OLED displays with touch functionality, which were initially slated to appear in the more expensive models and later in the entry-level model.
The casing and chip remain unchanged. The only new feature is that the touchscreen is no longer included in the entry-level model. In July, the first half of 2027 was slated for release of the new entry-level model.
Touch as a feature of the Pro chips
I believe the division is logical, even if it puts the entry-level model at a disadvantage compared to how it appeared in the summer. Apple is thus making touch functionality a feature of the more expensive chips rather than a matter of personal preference. The choice between touch-enabled and non-touch-enabled models with the same chip is eliminated, along with the cheaper Pro and Max options.
For buyers in this country, nothing will change for the time being. Those wanting a MacBook Pro with an M5 Pro or M5 Max processor (without touch) can still get it starting at €2,899, though according to the report, this will be the last generation of this design. Anyone hoping for a cheaper MacBook Pro with touch will not find one among the entry-level models at this time.
Would a MacBook Pro with touchscreen be interesting to you only if it were also available in the entry-level model – or is the Mini-LED display sufficient for you anyway? Let us know in the comments whether the touchscreen plays a role in your purchasing decision.
