Apple develops touch screen Macbook, controversial because it deviates from the philosophy of late CEO Steve Jobs

Apple is currently working on adding touch screens to its line of Macbook laptops according to a latest news today from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The source claims that the new MacBook Pro with OLED display could be the first touch screen Macbook to launch in 2025.

Gurman said Apple engineers are “actively involved in the project,” suggesting the company is “seriously considering” production of touchscreen Macs. The first MacBook Pro with a touch screen will retain the traditional laptop design with a trackpad and keyboard, but the display will support touch input like the iPhone or iPad.

According to the report, the first touchscreen Macs will likely use macOS, as Apple is not actively working to combine iPadOS and macOS. However, iPhone and iPad apps are available on Macs with Apple’s silicon chips, unless the developer opts out.

Apple has repeatedly rejected the idea of ​​a touchscreen Mac over the years, so it would be a major reversal of philosophy for the company if it goes ahead with these plans.

In 2010, Steve Jobs said that “touch surfaces should not be left upright” caused by hand fatigue associated with keeping a finger on the screen. And in 2021, Apple’s director of hardware engineering John Ternus said Mac “fully optimized for indirect input” and said the company didn’t feel there was a good reason to change that at the time.