Apple introduces first touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED display
Apple has unveiled a new generation of MacBook Pro laptops, bringing touchscreen technology to the Mac for the first time alongside a tandem OLED display, improved portability and a return of the illuminated Apple logo.
The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display will be available in 14-inch and 16-inch configurations, with the biggest change being the display.
The tandem OLED panel offers peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, a 120Hz variable refresh rate and a contrast ratio of 10,000,000:1. Importantly for photographers, it supports both the P3 and Adobe RGB colour spaces, making it a potentially appealing option for those working with images.
The display also supports multi-touch gestures, including pinch-to-zoom, scrolling, rotating and drawing directly on the screen. Apple says users will be able to combine touch input with traditional keyboard shortcuts and trackpad controls.
This is the first time Apple has introduced a touchscreen on a Mac, although the company has stopped short of fundamentally redesigning macOS around touch.
Existing applications will generally work through a system that translates touch input into mouse clicks, while developers will be able to build more specific touch controls into their software.
The new models also feature Apple's Dynamic Island display cutout, replacing the traditional notch, along with thinner bezels and a redesigned hinge intended to minimise movement when interacting with the touchscreen.
Despite the slimmer design, Apple says the new laptops maintain battery life comparable to the existing MacBook Pro range, with up to 24 hours of use. The 14-inch model weighs from 1.38kg, while the 16-inch version starts at 1.82kg.
Under the hood, the new machines use Apple's M5 Pro and M5 Max processors, rather than introducing a new generation of chips. They retain three Thunderbolt 5 ports, HDMI, an SDXC card slot, MagSafe 3, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
Apple has also upgraded the six-speaker sound system, promising 50 per cent deeper bass and improved clarity.
The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is available to pre-order, with deliveries and in-store availability beginning Friday, 6 November.
Australian recommended retail pricing, including GST, is:
| Model | Starting price |
|---|---|
| 14-inch M5 Pro | A$4,599 |
| 16-inch M5 Pro | A$5,499 |
| 14-inch M5 Max | A$6,999 |
| 16-inch M5 Max | A$7,699 |
The entry-level configurations include 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage. Higher specifications and storage capacities are available, with the 16-inch M5 Max model supporting up to 16TB.
Apple will continue selling its conventional MacBook Pro models alongside the new touchscreen versions, giving buyers the choice between the existing mini-LED display and the new OLED technology.
For photographers, the combination of OLED, Adobe RGB support and 2000-nit peak brightness is arguably the most interesting development. However, the touchscreen comes at a considerable premium, so you'll likely want to consider if its a feature you'd genuinely use.