Apple’s long-rumored touchscreen MacBook is finally taking shape, and according to a new report from Bloomberg, the device will arrive with a surprising chip choice: the existing M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, rather than the next-generation M6 lineup. The news comes as Apple prepares to enter a new product category that it has famously resisted for years.
The report, published Thursday, states that the revamped MacBook models are on track to launch between late this year and early next year. They will mark Apple’s first-ever touchscreen Mac, a feature that the company previously dismissed as unnecessary for laptops. The devices will also boast OLED screens for the first time on a Mac, offering deeper blacks and better contrast than the current mini-LED panels. Sizes will mirror the existing high-end MacBook Pro lineup: 14 inches and 16 inches.
Perhaps the most striking design change is the introduction of the Dynamic Island — the interactive cutout first seen on the iPhone 14 Pro — which will replace the traditional notch at the top of the display. This shift aligns with Apple’s broader effort to unify its interface across devices. The report also notes that “the devices will also sport an updated industrial design, marking the first visual change to high-end MacBooks since 2021,” according to sources familiar with the development.
However, the chip choice has raised eyebrows. The M5 Pro and M5 Max are already used in the current MacBook Pro models, which were refreshed in late 2025. Many analysts had expected the touchscreen MacBook to debut with the more powerful M6 variants, especially given that Apple typically reserves its newest silicon for flagship devices. Yet yesterday, a separate story from Mark Gurman revealed that Apple plans to skip higher-end versions of the M6 generation altogether. That revelation cast doubt on the touchscreen MacBook’s status, but today’s Bloomberg report confirms that the M5-based chips will power the new line.
This decision likely reflects Apple’s desire to bring the touchscreen MacBook to market as quickly as possible, using proven silicon rather than waiting for the M6’s complex high-end variants. The M5 Pro and M5 Max are no slouches: they offer robust multi-core performance and advanced neural engine capabilities, more than sufficient for the vast majority of creative professionals and power users. By reusing these chips, Apple can shorten development time and reduce costs, while still delivering a premium experience.
Looking further ahead, Bloomberg also reports that Apple is already in “advanced testing” of a follow-up to these new MacBook models, which will be powered by M7 Pro and M7 Max chips. That update is “planned for as early as the end of 2027.” This suggests Apple intends to return to a more traditional cadence of chip upgrades after the initial touchscreen launch, perhaps using the M7 to leapfrog over the skipped M6 Pro/Max generation.
The touchscreen MacBook has been the subject of speculation for over a decade. Steve Jobs famously called touchscreen laptops “ergonomically terrible” in 2010, and Tim Cook echoed that sentiment for years. However, the rise of convertible laptops from competitors like Microsoft (Surface) and Lenovo (Yoga) — combined with iPad adoption — eventually shifted Apple’s stance. The company has filed numerous patents for a touchscreen Mac, and in 2023, rumors of an actual product intensified.
One of the most intriguing questions is how Apple will brand this new device. Unlike the iPad, which relies primarily on touch input, the Mac has always been keyboard- and trackpad-centric. A touchscreen Mac would represent a hybrid approach, blurring the lines between the two product lines. The author of the original 9to5Mac article speculates that “MacBook Ultra” is the leading candidate for the name, though other possibilities include “MacBook Touch” or simply “MacBook Pro with Touch Screen.” Apple’s marketing will need to clearly differentiate it from the iPad Pro, which already supports a keyboard and trackpad but runs iPadOS rather than macOS.
The choice of the M5 Pro and M5 Max also impacts performance expectations. The M5 Pro debuted with up to 14 CPU cores and 12 GPU cores, while the M5 Max offers up to 16 CPU cores and 40 GPU cores, with support for up to 128GB of unified memory. These chips are built on a 3-nanometer process and include a 16-core Neural Engine capable of 38 trillion operations per second. For tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and software development, they offer more than enough power. The OLED display, combined with Dynamic Island, could create new user experiences for creative workflows — for instance, touch-based scrolling in timeline editors or gesture-based controls in design apps.
Pricing is another key factor. Current high-end MacBook Pros with M5 Pro start at $1,999, while M5 Max models can exceed $3,000. The touchscreen MacBook will likely command a premium, possibly starting above $2,500. The report does not mention pricing, but given the new design, OLED panel, and touch capabilities, a higher price point is expected. Apple will also need to ensure that macOS is fully optimized for touch input; while iPad apps can already be run on Macs via Catalyst, a dedicated touch mode or gestures might be necessary.
The broader context of this report is Apple’s chip strategy. By skipping M6 Pro and M6 Max, Apple may be saving those architectures for an even larger leap — perhaps integrating ray-tracing hardware or new AI accelerators tailored for on-device generative AI. The M7 generation, reportedly in testing, could deliver those innovations. For now, the touchscreen MacBook becomes a transitional product, bridging the gap between the M5 era and a more advanced future.
In the meantime, consumers have access to significant discounts on current Apple hardware during Prime Day sales. The article lists deals on MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad — though those are unrelated to the touchscreen MacBook story. The main focus remains on Apple’s first touchscreen laptop, which is shaping up to be one of the most important product launches in the company’s history.
As the launch window approaches, more details will likely emerge about the industrial design, hinge mechanism, and macOS support. For now, the combination of M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, OLED screens, Dynamic Island, and a fresh design promises to deliver a compelling new option for professionals who have long wanted a direct touch interface on their Mac. The device is expected to debut alongside other hardware updates, potentially at a spring or fall event in 2026.
Source:9to5Mac News