By Basant El-Faramawy
Apple has launched an entirely new MacBook Pro, marking the company's first touchscreen Mac after years of dismissing the idea. The laptop features a new OLED display branded PROLED XDR, which enables touch input, reduces weight to three pounds, and brings back the iconic glowing Apple logo on the lid.
Display technology enables touch and weight reduction
The PROLED XDR display delivers more vivid colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, according to Apple. The technology also allowed engineers to shrink the device's weight from roughly 3.5 pounds on the previous model.
Dynamic Island replaces notch
The new screen incorporates the Dynamic Island from the iPhone, replacing the notch on recent MacBooks with a smaller pill-shaped cutout that houses the camera and sensors and can display contextual information.
Software and hardware changes for touch
To support touch interaction, Apple redesigned macOS for easier content manipulation and strengthened the hinge to prevent wobble when the screen is touched. The company says touch will simplify tasks like moving windows and scrolling, while also enabling new workflows for artists, musicians, and developers.
Pricing and availability
The MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model, compared with a $1,999 starting price for the non-touchscreen version. Pre-orders are open now, with sales beginning November 6.
Busy product week for Apple
The launch caps a busy week for Apple, which also introduced a new iPad Mini, updated iMacs, and lower-end MacBook Pro models. Earlier in October, the company released a HomeView smart display and the iPhone Duo.
