Apple Prices Touchscreen MacBook Pro at $2,899

Apple set the price for its new touchscreen laptops at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch version. The company unveiled the MacBook Pro with ProLED XDR Display on Wednesday during a Los Angeles event. The pricing signals that the new hardware targets users who want the latest technology and are willing to pay a premium for it.

The machines run macOS, not iPadOS or iOS. Touch interaction is optional. Users can continue to rely entirely on the keyboard and trackpad. Apple stated that its software converts every tap into a traditional click. This means any button that can be clicked can also be touched. Unupdated third-party software will still function with touch input.

Apple applied an oleophobic coating to the screens to resist fingerprints. The coating appeared to work effectively during testing, as no marks were visible after use. The company also introduced a new hinge designed to prevent screen shaking when touched. This feature aims to reduce camera jolts during video calls. A reviewer noted that the hinge feels largely the same as on previous MacBook Pros.

The display uses a new tandem OLED technology that provides deeper blacks and higher contrast. Apple said the improvements target creators who need accurate colors for photo and video editing. The reviewer stated that photos and artwork looked great, though the gap from earlier Apple laptops is not night and day. The notch that housed the camera on earlier MacBooks is gone, replaced by a hole-punch cutout in the display.

Apple's Dynamic Island feature, new to the MacBook, expands to show live activities and Siri. The Apple logo on the lid now lights up when the computer is on. This is a first for an Apple laptop since the 2017 MacBook Air. The light-up logo drew a cheer from analysts and influencers in attendance when it was announced.

Apple said third-party developers such as Microsoft and Adobe can update their apps to enlarge buttons and other touch targets. The red button at the top left of a window expands when touched to make it easier to hit. A reviewer said touch seemed especially useful for scrolling through websites or documents while lying down. An accessibility feature also lets users pinch to zoom on any part of the interface.