Touchscreen MacBooks could launch in the next few years - but not before a significant iPad overhaul

Date:
Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:26:56 +0000

Description:
We could see touchscreen Macs in the next few years, if a prominent leaker is right - and if Apple makes drastic changes to its iPads.

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Apple recently updated its MacBook line up with superb models like the M3 MacBook Air , notably improving performance. However, what didn't materialize in the latest models, was the introduction of a touchscreen.

Will MacBooks ever feature a touchscreen? It remains one of the biggest questions for Mac fans, with rivals Lenovo and Samsung leading the way in the best touchscreen laptops on the market, unchallenged by Apple.

We can speculate that one of the main reasons we havent seen a touchscreen MacBook is the fact that it may have a negative impact on iPad sales. The new iPad Pro models are geared towards providing the most MacBook-like experience possible without buying an actual MacBook.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a reputable Apple leaker, noted in his Power On newsletter that: Apple does plan to add OLED and touchscreen support to Macs in the next few years. But it seems more committed to distinguishing its tablets and computers from one another than serving customers who want something more. What would it take?

While Gurman has a history of being pretty accurate with his predictions and timelines, we can only be certain of something once we hear it from Apple. That said, Gurmans reasoning here does make sense.

To introduce touchscreen capabilities to the MacBook line would require a revamp of Apples iPads to completely separate them from Macs so that even if consumers had a touchscreen MacBook, there would still be reason enough to
buy an iPad (aside from its sheer portability).

Furthermore, to make such a drastic change as switching to a touchscreen, macOS would also need a massive update to accommodate the new functionality. As a fan of the Mac operating system, that excites me. (Image credit: Future
/ Lance Ulanoff)

macOS is due to receive some new AI-fueled improvements at Apples WWDC 2024 next week and is seemingly getting quite a facelift compared to Sonoma 14 . The potential new interface might require tweaking mouse and keyboard
support, and could potentially open the door to foldable MacBooks in the near future (where a touchscreen would be needed, though it might be implemented
as a virtual keyboard).

However it might be realized, that the idea of a touchscreen MacBook is exciting, and the fact that Gurman is now commenting on the prospect of such
a device brings more life to the rumor (which has been floating around for some time).

Its hard to say where such a development would take future iPads, although they could skew towards becoming devices purely for entertainment and
artistic pursuits (aside from the Pro models). We have quite a long while to wait, so all we can do is speculate and hope. You might also like... If you wanted a MacBook M4 at WWDC 2024, prepare to be disappointed apparently
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the OLED treatment in the next few years Apple just labeled another of its older iPhones as 'obsolete' here's what it means



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/macbooks/touchscreen-macbooks-could-launch -in-the-next-few-years-but-not-before-a-significant-ipad-overhaul


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