ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Apple is said to begin phasing out premium non-touch MacBook Pros in 2027.
- The entry-level 14-inch models will still not have touchscreens, however.
- The premium touchscreen models create a clearer distinction between entry-level and premium laptops.
According to reports, Apple will eliminate non-touch versions of the premium MacBook Pros as soon as next year. This would make touchscreen technology a defining feature of MacBook Pro laptops with the Pro and Max chipsets, separating them from the entry-level MacBook Pros with base-model chips.
The higher-end 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations without the touchscreen will be discontinued, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported in the Power On newsletter, with the first models arriving in 2027.
Also: Apple’s new touchscreen MacBook Pros may be late, but they have one big advantage
The 14-inch MacBook Pro will remain the affordable option within the lineup and is unlikely to receive a touchscreen upgrade. It is predicted to feature an M7 processor and a redesigned thinner chassis.
The move widens the divide between entry-level Apple laptops and flagship models, and the price tag for the premium laptops is likely to reflect it. In 2027, buyers will face the decision about whether touchscreen technology justifies spending considerably more on the MacBook Pro.
Also: Forget the touchscreen MacBook – Apple’s new M6 is the laptop I recommend for most people
The MacBook Neo and MacBook Air remain Apple’s most affordable and midrange laptops, respectively. The 14-inch MacBook Pro will follow with a more premium price tag at $1,999, with the touchscreen model starting at $2,899. The introduction of the Neo this year opened up the MacBook to a market it previously had little sway in.
This leaves a large gap between the price differences of Apple’s lowest- and highest-end laptop offerings, further distinguishing mainstream consumers from Apple’s highest-end “pro” users.
However, the 14-inch MacBook Pro still serves Apple’s largest mainstream audience. It’s designed to give professionals who need more capabilities than a midrange laptop offers the option to buy premium features at a lower price than touchscreen models.
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In recent years, the biggest factors that have bumped a MacBook model up to a new price category have been processor performance, memory, graphics capabilities, and, to a lesser extent, display quality. Now, the touchscreen appears to be a major component.
The difference between a touchscreen MacBook Pro and a non-touchscreen model could fundamentally change how buyers evaluate and compare the MacBook Pro with other Apple laptops. Instead of simply deciding how much processing power consumers need, they might also have to decide whether a touchscreen is worth the steep price.
