Apple has revealed how users will navigate macOS using their fingers following the announcement of the MacBook Pro with a PROLED XDR display. The device features a touch sensor built directly into the screen rather than operating as a separate layer.
Touchscreen Integration and Features
Apple stated that embedding the sensor into the display decreases latency to create the sensation of touching the content directly, a method common in modern OLED touch screens. Users can slide fingers to scroll and pinch with two fingers to zoom in on web pages, documents, and photos. The screen also supports drawing directly with a finger for note annotation and doodling.
According to Apple, everyday users will benefit from the feature in applications like Keynote and Pages, while professionals can interact with 3D objects and test mobile app functionality. The interface borrows concepts from the iPad, enabling users to hide the dock with a finger gesture. Menu items also feature increased spacing during touch interactions to simplify selection.
Historical Shift for Apple
The introduction of the touchscreen laptop marks a reversal for Apple, which previously dismissed the concept for nearly twenty years. Co-founder Steve Jobs previously argued against laptop touchscreens due to ergonomic concerns, while former CEO Tim Cook compared combining laptop and tablet features to blending a toaster and a refrigerator.
Consumers will need to pay a starting price of at least $2,899 to purchase the new touchscreen MacBook Pro. Apple is expected to eventually bring the touchscreen feature to its lower-priced computer models.
