Apple recently confirmed the long-awaited implementation of touchscreen technology in their MacBook Pro line, topping off a fresh wave of news related to product announcements from CEO John Ternus.
The redesigned MacBook Pro in 14- and 16-inch sizes was presented on the 28th October, with a tandem OLED display it calls PROLED XDR and touch input which is being brought to macOS for the first time.
Apple stated the touch sensor is built into the panel rather than layered on top, which cuts latency.
It is targeting the feature at designers, musicians, and developers testing iPhone and iPad apps. It noted the touch function works alongside the keyboard and trackpad rather than replacing them. Hardware chief Johny Srouji called it a monumental step for the Mac.
Reuters noted Apple executives had long resisted the idea. Steve Jobs said in 2010 laptop touchscreens were “ergonomically terrible”, and Tim Cook, then CEO, said in 2012 that such devices would be as pleasing to users as converging a toaster and a refrigerator.
“I’m glad to see Apple adopt the best-in-class display technologies with its industry leading silicon and design”, Anshel Sag, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, told Mobile World Live. “OLED and touch has long been the mark of a premium laptop for Windows and now I’m glad to see Apple embracing both technologies together”.
Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models of the MacBook Pro offer configurations featuring the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with up to 24 hours of battery life.
Orders opened up, with shipping date starting from the 6th November. Prices start at $2,899 for the 14-inch M5 Pro and run to $4,799 for the 16-inch M5 Max.
The launch is the latest in a run of hardware announcements under Ternus, who took over as CEO from Tim Cook in September. His first big reveal was the foldable iPhone Duo foldable smartphone, priced at almost $2,000.
Ternus is reportedly pushing to speed up product development and is weighing a move away from Apple’s usual launch cycles.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Apple
Source: Tahawul Tech