Apple unveils touchscreen MacBook Pro, execs explain reversal
Apple announced 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a touchscreen and PROLED XDR Display, with executives detailing the decision in a WIRED interview.
Apple announced 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models featuring a touchscreen and a PROLED XDR Display. The announcement marks a shift for the company, whose executives have long resisted putting touch on the Mac. The news was reported by 9to5mac.com.
In an interview with WIRED, Apple CEO John Ternus, chief hardware officer Johny Srouji and marketing chief Greg Joswiak discussed the decision to add touch support. Ternus said the addition did not make the MacBook Pro heavier or thicker.
Srouji pointed to custom silicon, a redesigned thermal system and a reworked hinge as the technologies that made the touchscreen Mac possible. He added that advances over the past decade in display technology and custom silicon finally met Apple's standards for a touchscreen Mac.
Joswiak said professional users had asked Apple to bring touch to the Mac. The interview was conducted by WIRED journalist Steven Levy.
For years, Apple executives including Steve Jobs and Phil Schiller argued that touchscreens had no place on the Mac.
Quick answers
What screen sizes are the new touchscreen MacBook Pro models?
Apple announced 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with a touchscreen and a PROLED XDR Display.
Did adding touch make the MacBook Pro thicker or heavier?
Apple CEO John Ternus said adding touch did not make the MacBook Pro heavier or thicker.
When will the touchscreen MacBook Pro be released?
Apple has not announced a release date for the touchscreen MacBook Pro models.