Apple to unveil first touchscreen MacBook Pro in Los Angeles
The launch follows a week of iterative hardware updates and marks a reversal from the company's long-standing stance against touch input on laptops.
By Alexei Petit ·
Apple is set to introduce a MacBook Pro featuring a touchscreen display at an event in Los Angeles. This will be the first time a Mac computer includes a touch interface, excluding the Touch Bar found on earlier models. The addition responds to consumer demand for tap and swipe capabilities on laptops, a format Apple executives previously criticized for years.
The announcement follows a series of hardware releases earlier this week. On Monday, Apple introduced a new iPad Mini equipped with an upgraded OLED display. On Tuesday, the company released M6 chip upgrades for the MacBook Pro and iMac. Those updates were described as quiet refreshes that closely resemble their predecessors. Today's event is expected to deviate from that pattern of minor changes.
Apple has historically opposed touchscreen laptops since the launch of the iPad. However, the company is now moving to adopt the technology. The shift aligns with the growing preference for touch interaction in portable computing devices.
The event is taking place at a venue in Los Angeles rather than Apple Park in Cupertino. There is no public livestream for the presentation. The Verge is covering the event with two on-site staff members, including video producer Owen Grove. This format mirrors the MacBook Neo launch held earlier this year in New York City.
The previous New York event featured an in-person-only keynote that lasted less than 10 minutes. Attendees then moved to a hands-on area to test the hardware. The Los Angeles event is expected to follow a similar structure. Participants will have direct access to the new MacBook Pro and other upcoming Apple products.
The presentation is anticipated to be brief. The focus will remain on the physical interaction with the new touchscreen display. The hardware design is expected to differ from standard MacBook Pro models to accommodate the touch interface.
Apple will present the new device to an invited audience. The company will demonstrate the touch features during the keynote segment. Hands-on testing will follow immediately after the presentation concludes.
Source: The Verge
