The MacBook Pro OLED Isn’t the Touchscreen Mac I Was Looking For
Commentary: Apple finally put touch on a MacBook Pro, but at a price and form that confuses me.
Apple has unveiled the first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen called the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, set to release on November 6. This marks a significant step in the company's ambition to merge iPad and Mac features into a unified product. Despite Apple's history of denying touchscreens to Macs, the new addition signals a shift towards touch-enabled devices.
However, the touchscreen feature does not significantly alter the laptop's design; it merely tilts to standard laptop angles. While Apple markets this as a great way to interact with MacOS, it appears that MacOS has not evolved to accommodate touch input effectively. The touch capabilities seem more like an afterthought, adding little value to the overall user experience.
For most users, the price tag of $2,899 and above is a deterrent, and the touchscreen MacBook Pro may not be a viable option. Nevertheless, Apple's foray into touchscreens on Macs could pave the way for future innovations, particularly for convertible laptops and iMacs. The company's marketing seems to downplay the significance of this touch-on-Mac debut, focusing instead on the new OLED display, which is a considerable pro feature.
While it's too early to judge the long-term impact of touch-enabled Macs, the potential for a more interactive and versatile computing experience is tantalizing. Optimistically, Apple may refine its approach in the years to come, making touch-enabled Macs and iPads more transformative and accessible.
Written by urgent.news from CNET's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
