Apple launches first touchscreen MacBooks, touch remains optional

Apple unveiled its first touchscreen MacBook models, a 14‑inch and a 16‑inch, at a Los Angeles event on Wednesday. Touch input is completely optional; users can still rely on the trackpad and keyboard as before. The laptops run macOS with only minor visual tweaks, and the red close button expands when touched to aid clicking. Apple says third‑party developers such as Microsoft and Adobe will update their apps with larger touch targets, though existing software will also work because the system translates every tap into a standard click. Finger scrolling feels smooth and may help when browsing or reading documents in bed. An accessibility pinch‑to‑zoom works across the interface. The screens carry an oleophobic coating that resists fingerprints, and the new tandem OLED panels deliver deeper blacks and higher contrast, aimed at creators needing accurate colors. The hinge is designed to reduce screen shake during video calls, though it feels similar to previous MacBook Pros. A notable visual change is the illuminated Apple logo on the lid, lighting up when the machine is on – the first such feature since the 2017 MacBook Air. Prices start at $2,899 for the 14‑inch and $3,399 for the 16‑inch model. Analysts and influencers applauded the glowing logo at the launch.

Context

The addition of touch to a MacBook marks Apple’s first foray into touchscreen laptops, blending its tablet expertise with its traditional notebook line while keeping the familiar click‑based workflow.