Apple touchscreen MacBooks may include Dynamic Island

The OLED touchscreen MacBook Pros from Apple expected this fall will include the Dynamic Island feature similar to the one on iPhones, as reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. 

Apple initially unveiled Dynamic Island with the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max as a pill-shaped cutout that shows notifications and updates, though the version on MacBook Pros is said to be “smaller” than current iPhones.

The upcoming MacBook Pros, available in 14-inch and 16-inch screen variations, resemble the current versions, according to Gurman’s insights; however, Apple is planning to enhance the Mac interface for a “dynamic” experience tailored for both touch and traditional control methods. 

“For example, when a user touches a button or control, the interface will present a novel menu around their finger, offering more tailored touch options,” as noted by Gurman.

Apple has typically been against adding touchscreens to Macs, with Steve Jobs asserting that “touch surfaces aren’t meant to be vertical” and that touchscreens for Macs would result in “poor ergonomics” at an event in October 2010 — shortly after the original iPad's release. 

Yet, Apple now markets the iPad as both a touch-based tablet and a device compatible with a keyboard similar to a Mac’s.

Gurman had indicated in 2023 that Apple was exploring the idea of touchscreen Macs, and it now seems they are not too far off from becoming actual products.

Gurman reveals that the forthcoming touchscreen Macs will not be part of what the firm plans to showcase around its slated March 4th event — instead, they are anticipated for late 2026.

Apple also intends to launch a reduced-size Dynamic Island on the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to Gurman.