Why Apple Finally Gave The MacBook A Touchscreen

Apple’s Move to Add a Touchscreen to the MacBook Pro

Apple’s move reflects changes in hardware, software, and user expectations—not a rejection of the mouse and trackpad.

Why Apple Resisted Touchscreens

Steve Jobs argued that reaching up to a vertical screen causes arm fatigue. Mac software also relies on compact controls designed for precise cursor use. In 2016, Phil Schiller said that redesigning macOS around fingers could compromise its mouse-focused experience.

The Touch Bar Experiment

Introduced in 2016, the Touch Bar offered app-specific touch controls. However, many experienced users disliked losing physical function keys—especially the Escape key—and found that the Touch Bar disrupted familiar typing habits. Apple phased it out and removed it from the MacBook Pro line in 2023.

Why Touch Feels More Expected Now

Touch has become common on phones, tablets, and many other devices. The video suggests that users—especially those familiar with iPhones and iPads—may find a high-end Mac without touch surprising. Apple’s iPad keyboard accessories have also shown that keyboard, trackpad, and touch input can coexist.

Potential Uses

Touch could serve as an optional input for:

• Testing iPhone apps in Xcode
• Playing instruments or drum pads in Logic Pro and GarageBand
• Zooming or rotating photos and maps

The video does not present touch as a replacement for the trackpad or mouse.

macOS Touch Adaptations

macOS can accommodate touch in several ways:

• Touch targets can respond beyond their visible edges.
• Some window controls temporarily enlarge.
• A tap can reveal controls normally shown when hovering with a cursor.
• Tapping and holding can open context menus.

Hardware Changes

The video attributes the thinner, lighter design to OLED, whose self-lit pixels eliminate the need for a separate backlight, and to touch sensors integrated into the display panel. Apple also redesigned the hinge to stabilize the screen during taps and adjusted cooling to direct hot air away from it.

Reviews, Guides, or Tutorials

None are presented; the video is an explanatory analysis.

Main Speaker and Sources

Greg of Apple Explained narrates. The analysis also cites past comments from Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller, as well as a design requirement attributed to John Ternus.