Apple today announced a new series of MacBook Pro models that will sell alongside the existing range. The new models feature the long-awaited OLED displays and also bring touchscreen support to the Mac for the first time.
PROLED XDR Display: A New Era of Visuals
The main feature here is the display, which Apple calls PROLED XDR. The new display features the same Tandem OLED technology that we saw on the iPad Pro models, which layers two OLED panels over each other to increase their light output. The displays on the MacBook Pro are capable of up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and 1,000 nits of sustained brightness. This means you can enjoy HDR content with stunning highlights and deep blacks, even in bright environments. The contrast ratio is effectively infinite, as each pixel emits its own light, delivering true blacks and vibrant colors.
Apple claims the PROLED XDR display offers a wider color gamut and better color accuracy than ever before, making it ideal for professional workflows such as photo and video editing, 3D rendering, and graphic design. The display also supports ProMotion technology with an adaptive refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations while conserving battery life when static content is displayed.
Tandem OLED Technology Explained
Tandem OLED, as the name suggests, uses two OLED layers stacked on top of each other. This approach boosts brightness and longevity compared to a single-layer OLED. Each layer emits light, and together they can achieve higher peak brightness without driving the pixels as hard, which reduces the risk of burn-in and extends the display’s lifespan. Apple first introduced this technology in the iPad Pro, and now it’s making its way to the MacBook Pro, marking a significant upgrade from the mini-LED displays used in previous models.
The new display also features an anti-reflective coating and a nano-texture option for those who need to minimize glare in bright environments. Apple says the PROLED XDR is its most advanced display ever in a notebook, and it sets a new standard for laptop screens.
Touchscreen Support Comes to Mac
In a move that many thought would never happen, Apple has added touchscreen support to the MacBook Pro. The new models feature a touch-sensitive layer integrated into the display, allowing users to interact with macOS using their fingers. This is the first time a Mac has officially supported touch input, and it represents a major shift in Apple’s approach to computing.
The touchscreen supports multi-touch gestures, and Apple has optimized macOS to work seamlessly with touch. The company demonstrated several use cases, such as scrolling through web pages, zooming in on photos, and even using the on-screen keyboard. However, Apple emphasizes that touch is an additional input method, not a replacement for the trackpad and keyboard. The trackpad and keyboard remain the primary ways to interact with the Mac, but touch offers a new level of flexibility for certain tasks.
How Touch Works with macOS
Apple has redesigned parts of macOS to accommodate touch input. For example, the menu bar and dock have slightly larger hit targets to make them easier to tap. The company also introduced new gestures, such as a three-finger swipe to switch between spaces and a pinch-to-zoom gesture in supported apps. Developers can take advantage of new APIs to add touch support to their apps, and many built-in apps like Safari, Photos, and Notes already support touch.
Apple is keen to stress that the touchscreen is not meant to replace the iPad. Instead, it’s an additional way to interact with the Mac, particularly for creative professionals who might want to use their fingers to manipulate objects in apps like Photoshop or Illustrator. The touchscreen also works with the Apple Pencil, although the Pencil is sold separately. This opens up new possibilities for digital artists and designers who prefer to work directly on the screen.
Performance and Internals
The new MacBook Pro models are powered by Apple’s next-generation silicon, the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. These chips are built on a 3nm process and offer significant performance improvements over the previous generation. Apple claims the M5 Pro delivers up to 30% faster CPU performance and up to 40% faster GPU performance compared to the M4 Pro, while the M5 Max pushes even further with up to 50% faster GPU performance.
The new chips also feature a more powerful Neural Engine, which accelerates machine learning tasks. Apple says the Neural Engine is up to 60% faster, enabling features like on-device AI processing, real-time video analysis, and more. The M5 Pro and M5 Max also support up to 128GB of unified memory, allowing for seamless multitasking and handling of large datasets.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Despite the brighter display and added touch layer, Apple promises that the new MacBook Pro models deliver the same all-day battery life as their predecessors. The 14-inch model offers up to 18 hours of video playback, while the 16-inch model offers up to 22 hours. This is achieved through a combination of efficient chip design and software optimizations.
Connectivity options include three Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, and a MagSafe 3 charging port. The new models also support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The front-facing camera has been upgraded to a 12MP ultrawide lens with Center Stage support, ensuring you’re always in frame during video calls.
Design and Other Features
The overall design of the new MacBook Pro remains similar to the previous generation, with a few subtle changes. The most noticeable difference is the thinner bezels around the display, which make the screen appear larger. The keyboard and trackpad are unchanged, and the chassis is still made of recycled aluminum. The new models are available in the same colors: Silver and Space Black.
Apple has also improved the speakers, which now support Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos. The six-speaker system with force-cancelling woofers delivers richer bass and clearer highs. The studio-quality three-mic array is also improved, with better noise cancellation for calls and recordings.
Pricing and Availability
The new MacBook Pro models will be available for pre-order starting next week and will ship in early November. The 14-inch model with M5 Pro starts at $1,999, while the 16-inch model with M5 Pro starts at $2,499. The M5 Max configurations start at $3,099 for the 14-inch and $3,499 for the 16-inch. The touchscreen option is available on all models and adds $200 to the price. The nano-texture display option is also available for an additional $150.
Apple is also offering a trade-in program for customers upgrading from older MacBook Pro models. The new models will be available in Apple Stores and through authorized resellers.
What This Means for the Mac
The introduction of OLED and touchscreen support marks a significant evolution for the MacBook Pro. For years, Apple resisted adding touch to the Mac, arguing that the iPad was the best touch device. But with the lines between tablets and laptops blurring, and with competitors offering touchscreen laptops, Apple has finally embraced touch on the Mac. The move could attract new users who prefer touch input and could also open up new use cases for existing users.
The OLED display is also a major upgrade. The mini-LED displays on previous MacBook Pro models were excellent, but OLED offers better contrast, faster response times, and a wider viewing angle. The Tandem OLED technology ensures brightness and longevity, addressing the traditional drawbacks of OLED. This makes the new MacBook Pro an even more compelling choice for professionals who demand the best display quality.
Competition and Market Impact
The new MacBook Pro will compete with high-end Windows laptops that already offer OLED displays and touchscreens. However, Apple’s integration of hardware and software, along with the performance of the M5 chips, gives it a unique advantage. The touchscreen support, in particular, could be a differentiator, as few Windows laptops offer a touch experience as polished as what Apple is promising.
Analysts expect the new models to drive upgrade cycles among creative professionals and Apple enthusiasts. The combination of OLED, touch, and improved performance is likely to be a strong selling point. However, some may question the utility of touch on a laptop, and the added cost might deter some buyers. Apple will need to demonstrate compelling use cases to justify the feature.
Conclusion
Apple’s new MacBook Pro models with OLED and touchscreen support represent a bold step forward for the Mac. The PROLED XDR display with Tandem OLED technology delivers stunning visuals, while touch input adds a new dimension of interactivity. With the powerful M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, these laptops are poised to remain the top choice for professionals. The new models will be available soon, and early adopters can look forward to a premium experience that pushes the boundaries of what a laptop can do.
