Apple sets $2,899 price for first MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen

Apple priced its first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model during its "Pro and tell" event on Wednesday. The devices go on sale November 6, with preorders available immediately.

The laptops feature what Apple terms a "PROLED XDR" display. This tandem OLED panel provides peak SDR brightness of 2,000 nits, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1. The screen includes a Dynamic Island element that displays Live Activities, a feature previously exclusive to iPhones. Apple stated the touch sensor is integrated directly into the display panel rather than layered on top, a design choice the company says reduces latency.

Hardware specifications include M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, distinct from the M6 chips found in other MacBook Pro models announced this week. The 14-inch unit weighs 3 pounds, while the 16-inch model weighs 4 pounds. Both devices are thinner than their predecessors. Apple reduced the bezels, expanding the actual screen size to 14.2 inches for the smaller model and 16.3 inches for the larger one. The systems support up to 24 hours of battery life and include MagSafe 3, a headphone jack, an SD card reader, HDMI, and three Thunderbolt 5 ports.

The company also detailed audio and structural upgrades. The new design incorporates an enhanced six-speaker sound system that Apple claims delivers 50 percent deeper bass. A newly designed hinge provides increased stability. The glowing Apple logo on the lid has returned. In a press release, Apple noted that its software is optimized for touch and that an updated API will allow third-party developers to add touch capabilities to their applications.

This release marks a departure from previous company strategy. In 2012, former CEO Tim Cook dismissed the convergence of tablets and laptops, comparing it to merging a toaster and a refrigerator. Steve Jobs called touchscreen laptops "ergonomically terrible" in 2010. Apple tested touch input with the Touch Bar from 2016 to 2023 before reverting to physical function keys. The new laptop joins an iPad Mini with an OLED display and M6-powered iMacs in a week of major product announcements.

Apple said the touchscreen allows users to perform tasks such as scrolling web pages, zooming into photos, and testing iOS and iPadOS apps directly on the hardware. The company also cited playing software instruments on the screen as a use case for the new interface.