Apple’s major MacBook Pro refresh is coming this year, and it’s shaping up to be exactly what I wanted. Here’s why I’m optimistic about the biggest changes coming later this year.
One of my favorite iPhone features comes to the Mac
When Apple added the notch to the MacBook Pro’s display in 2021, it felt like a design compromise without any benefit. For comparison’s sake, when the iPhone X debuted with a notch, the tradeoff was clear. There was a notch, but there was also Face ID.
While Face ID for the Mac is still reportedly years away, this upcoming MacBook Pro will make a big change.
I’ve written about this before, but I love the Dynamic Island on my iPhone. It’s a genius way to present real-time information.
I love the Now Playing information from Apple Music and Overcast. I love precipitation forecasts from Carrot Weather. I love scores from Apple Sports. I love tracking my Uber arrival time. I love tracking my flight information with Flighty.
According to today’s reporting from Bloomberg, the Dynamic Island is finally coming to the Mac, and I couldn’t be happier.
The MacBook Pro’s Dynamic Island will reportedly be “built around a hole-punch-sized cutout for the computer’s camera.” It will be smaller than the pill-shaped cutout on the iPhone 17 Pro.
Touchscreen MacBook Pro interactions
Additionally, today’s reporting gives me confidence that Apple isn’t just slapping a touchscreen on the MacBook Pro and calling it a day. I’m relieved to hear that Apple is making specific optimizations to macOS to not just accommodate touch input, but to also enhance the experience.
Here’s Mark Gurman describing some of the interactions:
“For instance, if users touch a button or control, the interface will bring up a new type of menu surrounding their finger that provides more relevant options for touch commands.
The software will also display the most appropriate set of controls based on users’ prior interaction. And if a person taps an item in the menu bar at the top of the screen, the set of controls will enlarge to be more easily selectable with a finger.”
I’m still concerned about the potential side effects or compromises Apple will have to make to add a touchscreen to the Mac. How will the overall design change? Will Apple have to compromise on battery life and thermals?
There are a lot of unknowns, but I’m more optimistic now that we’ve learned more about the touchscreen software implementation.
New MacBook Pro wrap up
This complete MacBook Pro revamp is currently slated to launch this fall, according to Bloomberg. Apple is still expected to release M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models next month.
In addition to the Dynamic Island and touchscreen, the new MacBook Pro models will reportedly use OLED displays. Sign. Me. Up.
What do you think of Apple releasing a touchscreen MacBook Pro? How often would you reach out and touch your Mac’s screen? Let us know down in the comments.
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