Apple just launched the MacBook Pro with a touch-enabled PROLED XDR display without retiring the existing models. Right now there are two high-end MacBook Pros with the same chips. In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman asks how long that will last, and his answer points to a high end that’s touchscreen-only.
What’s official
The new MacBook Pro PROLED XDR models use the same M5 Pro and M5 Max chips as the mini-LED models, which remain on sale. The OLED version costs $400 more than the equivalent non-touch model: $2,899 versus $2,499 for the 14-inch with M5 Pro, and $3,399 versus $2,999 for the 16-inch.
The rumor
- No more non-touch high end: Gurman would be surprised if Apple kept making non-touch versions of its most powerful laptops. Running two lines with Pro and Max chips means extra engineering, marketing and manufacturing work.
- Second touchscreen generation in 2027: with M7 Pro and M7 Max chips and more hardware capabilities for AI.
- The entry MacBook Pro: would move to M7 with the new thinner, lighter design and slimmer bezels, but without touch.
My take
It makes sense: Apple rarely keeps two near-identical versions of a product around for long. The problem is for people who want power without paying for OLED or touch: if Gurman is right, the only way to get an M7 Pro or M7 Max laptop in 2027 will be with a touchscreen, which usually means a higher price. If you don’t want touch, today’s M5 Pro or M5 Max MacBook Pro may be the last of its kind. The first PROLED reviews already make it clear the value is in the display, not in touching it.
Are you OK with a touchscreen-only high end? Let me know in the comments or on social media.
Sources: MacRumors (Mark Gurman’s Power On, Bloomberg), Cult of Mac (Gurman’s reasoning), iThinkDifferent (US pricing). As of November 8, 2026.
