Apple releases new touch screen laptop: Here's what consumers need to know
Apple introduced its first touch screen laptop on Wednesday, unveiling a new MacBook Pro with an upgraded display, a thinner design and up to 24 hours of battery life.
The MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display was announced during the company's "Pro and Tell" event in Los Angeles and is available for preorder now, with the official release scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6.
The laptop comes in 14-inch and 16-inch models, with prices starting at $2,899 and $3,399, respectively.
Both sizes are available with Apple's M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, along with a new OLED display designed to deliver improved brightness, contrast and color accuracy, according to Apple.
"The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is a monumental step forward for the Mac," Johny Srouji, Apple's chief hardware officer, said in a statement this week.
What's new with Apple's touch screen MacBook Pro?
The biggest change is the addition of touch screen capabilities, allowing users to interact directly with content on their laptops for the first time.
Users can scroll through webpages, pinch to zoom in on photos, drag and drop slides between presentations, and move windows around the screen using touch gestures.
Apple says the feature can also be used for more advanced tasks, including manipulating 3D models and playing virtual musical instruments.
The touch screen sensor is built directly into the display panel rather than layered on top, which Apple says helps reduce delays when swiping and scrolling.
The new PROLED XDR Display uses tandem OLED technology and offers up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness for both HDR and SDR content, a 120Hz variable refresh rate, and a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
It also supports both P3 and Adobe RGB color spaces, features aimed at photographers, graphic designers and other creative professionals.
What other features are included?
Apple is also bringing Dynamic Island, a feature previously available on iPhones, to the MacBook Pro.
The display feature will serve as a hub for Spotlight, Live Activities and Siri AI.
The new laptops are also thinner and lighter than previous MacBook Pro models, according to Apple. The 14-inch version weighs 3 pounds, half a pound less than its predecessor, while the 16-inch model weighs 4 pounds, a reduction of 0.7 pounds.
Both models offer up to 24 hours of battery life.
Additional features include:
- M5 Pro and M5 Max chips: Apple's latest processors designed for demanding professional workflows.
- Expanded storage: Up to 16TB of storage and 128GB of unified memory.
- Improved audio: An enhanced six-speaker sound system that Apple says delivers 50% deeper bass.
- Updated camera: A 12-megapixel Center Stage camera and studio-quality microphones.
- Connectivity: Thunderbolt 5 ports and additional connectivity options.
- Software: macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence and Siri AI.
How much does the new touch screen MacBook Pro cost?
The new MacBook Pro is available in four configurations, with pricing depending on screen size and processor.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro starts at $2,899, while the 16-inch version starts at $3,399.
For customers choosing the M5 Max chip, the 14-inch model starts at $4,499 and the 16-inch model starts at $4,799.
Apple is also offering education pricing, with savings ranging from $150 to $300 depending on the configuration.
When will the new MacBook Pro be available?
Preorders for the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display began Wednesday, Oct. 28, in 30 countries and regions, including the United States.
The laptops will begin arriving to customers and will be available at Apple Store locations and authorized retailers starting Friday, Nov. 6.
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