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Apple touchscreen Mac updates
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On October 28 at 17:31 UTC, Apple debuted its first touchscreen MacBook Pro at the 'Pro and Tell' event in Los Angeles. The new flagship laptops feature PROLED XDR displays that integrate direct touch sensors without increasing the device's thickness. The hardware is powered by the new M6 silicon architecture, which includes 12-core CPUs and supports Wi-Fi 7 connectivity.
Prior to the main event, on October 27 at 15:25 UTC, Apple launched updated 14-inch MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac models featuring the M6 processor. The entry-level machines retained their previous designs and starting prices of $1,999 and $1,499, respectively. The M6 chip includes up to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, alongside dual neural engines for on-device artificial intelligence tasks, and adds support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.
The hardware updates arrived alongside the rollout of new artificial intelligence assistants across Apple's Pages, Keynote, and Numbers applications. The broader October release cycle also included a redesigned OLED iPad Mini.
How the story developed
On October 16, Apple scheduled an October 28 event in Los Angeles to unveil its first touch-enabled MacBook Pro. The gathering broke from standard Cupertino keynotes to offer immediate hands-on testing of the new devices. The introduction of touch inputs to macOS represented a fundamental shift in the company's hardware philosophy, bridging the historical divide between its tablet and computer ecosystems and reversing years of executive resistance against vertical interactive displays.
At the time of the initial announcement, supply chain reports suggested that refreshed desktop and compact tablet models would launch alongside the flagship computer.
On October 27, Apple updated its 14-inch MacBook Pro and 24-inch iMac with the new M6 processor ahead of the broader hardware event. The new silicon architecture featured up to a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU, as well as dual neural engines designed for on-device artificial intelligence tasks. Both machines received networking upgrades, adding support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, while retaining their previous designs and starting prices.
On October 28, Apple officially introduced touch capabilities to its flagship laptop line at the 'Pro and Tell' event. The new touchscreen MacBook Pro utilizes PROLED XDR displays with integrated direct touch sensors, maintaining the device's existing thickness. The announcement anchored an October hardware showcase that also featured the updated M6 iMacs and a redesigned OLED iPad Mini.
What to watch
- Consumers can expect the new professional laptops to hit store shelves nine days after their initial October 28 reveal.
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Timeline
October 2026
Apple Debuts First Touchscreen MacBook Pro With OLED Display at 'Pro and Tell' Event
Apple Launches M6 MacBook Pro and iMac With 12-Core CPUs and Wi-Fi 7
Apple Unveils Redesigned OLED iPad Mini With A20 Pro Chip Starting at $699
Apple Sets October 28 Event to Unveil First Touchscreen MacBook Pro
