Apple is revamping all of its Mac computers, starting with a touchscreen model.
Apple had long maintained that the Mac would never feature a touchscreen, but that stance is about to shift. The company is set to revamp its entire Mac lineup, with the most notable addition being a MacBook that can be interacted with via touch.
This refresh, which will take place this autumn and into next year, involves around 11 devices, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. It begins modestly with a revamped entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the new M6 chip, alongside the first new iMacs in two years, both expected this autumn. An Apple spokesperson declined to provide comments on the matter.
The highlight will arrive later—a redesigned premium MacBook available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, featuring a touchscreen and an OLED display, marking a first for the Mac, as reported by MacRumors. This model is anticipated to launch between late this year and early next year, with macOS being adjusted to make on-screen controls enlarge when tapped.
However, the specifications are not the main focus; the real story lies in why a traditionally conservative company is altering its most stable product line. The answer is artificial intelligence.
The Mac mini has found a surprising new audience
Mac sales have been rising for the third consecutive year, with a unique new demographic contributing to this growth. Users executing compute-intensive AI applications have gravitated towards the Mac mini and Mac Studio, valuing their processing power and compatibility with other systems. Demand has exceeded supply to such an extent that some new orders will take three months to ship.
This demand is influencing Apple’s future plans. New models of the Mac mini and Mac Studio are currently undergoing testing, featuring upgraded chips; however, their release depends on a shortage of memory chips. This shortage has affected manufacturing and increased prices. For the first time in February, Apple started producing the Mac mini in Houston instead of Asia.
The rest of the lineup
The remainder of the lineup is also evolving. A new MacBook Air is set to debut early next year, with an OLED variant slated potentially for 2028. A basic MacBook Pro equipped with a standard M7 chip will follow, along with an updated MacBook Neo, Apple’s budget laptop priced at $699. Further down the line, an OLED iMac is expected, aligning with the new screen technology being introduced in other products.
The prices reflect this trend. Apple raised Mac prices across the board in June, and a fully equipped 16-inch MacBook Pro is now priced at $9,999. A device leasing program that includes the Mac will launch on July 28.
While Apple initially built its wealth on phones, the Mac—of all products—is now experiencing a moment with AI, and the touchscreen it claimed it would never produce serves as evidence of this shift.
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Apple is revamping all of its Mac computers, starting with a touchscreen model.
Apple is updating its entire Mac lineup throughout this autumn and into next year, featuring its first-ever touchscreen OLED MacBook. The motivation behind this is the growing demand for AI.
