Apple unveils touchscreen MacBooks, says touch use is optional

Apple unveiled its first touchscreen MacBook models on Wednesday in Los Angeles, emphasizing that the touch feature is entirely optional. The lineup includes a 14‑inch and a 16‑inch version, both running macOS that looks much the same as before. Users can still rely on the trackpad and keyboard, and the devices keep the familiar visual layout. Touch‑enabled UI tweaks appear, such as the red close button expanding when pressed. Apple said developers like Microsoft and Adobe will update their apps to enlarge touch targets, but even unmodified software works because the system turns every tap into a regular click. The finger‑friendly experience may help scrolling while lying down and lets iPhone app developers test their apps directly on a Mac. Apple added an oleophobic coating to cut fingerprint marks, which the reviewer did not see during testing. The laptops also feature a new tandem OLED display that delivers deeper blacks and higher contrast, aimed at creators who need accurate colors, though the difference from previous models is modest. A redesigned hinge is meant to dampen screen shake when the surface is tapped, for example during a video call. The most visible change is a back‑lit Apple logo on the lid that lights up when the machine powers on—the first such laptop since the 2017 MacBook Air. Prices start at $2,899 for the 14‑inch and $3,399 for the 16‑inch, and the glowing logo drew cheers from analysts and influencers.

Context

Apple’s move marks the company’s first entry into touchscreen laptops, a step that blends its tablet expertise with traditional notebook form factors while keeping the classic Mac experience intact.