Apple to launch first touchscreen MacBook in 2026-27

Apple is definitively developing its first touchscreen laptop, a premium model expected to launch by late 2026 or early 2027, according to multiple industry sources and a recent definitive claim from a leaker with supply chain connections. The device, which may be branded as a MacBook Ultra, represents a significant philosophical shift for a company that has historically dismissed the concept of touchscreen computers.

The leaker known as Instant Digital stated on the Chinese social media platform Weibo on Thursday that a touchscreen MacBook is "100 confirmed." While such leaks are common, the claim aligns with consistent reporting from respected analysts including Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who have both indicated Apple is aggressively developing the technology. Supply chain sources have suggested that production of OLED panels for the laptop, potentially in 14.3-inch and 16.3-inch sizes from Samsung Display, is progressing.

The anticipated device is expected to sit at the highest end of Apple's laptop lineup and feature several major upgrades. These reportedly include next-generation M6-series processors, an OLED display—a first for the Mac—and a design that...