Ahead of Apple MacBook Ultra: macOS 27 gets touchscreen support

Rumors have been circulating for many months according to which the next-generation MacBook Pro ($1,549 on Amazon) will have a new design and an OLED touchscreen, and will be marketed under the name "MacBook Ultra" – at a higher price than the current MacBook Pro. Apple has not yet officially commented on these rumors. However, the first beta version of macOS 27 already contains a reference to this touchscreen support.

If an iPad is connected wirelessly to a Mac via Sidecar, it is possible to operate macOS 27 via the tablet's touchscreen. In macOS 26, you still had to use a mouse or trackpad to do this. It is not only possible to scroll through lists and select menu items, but simple gestures such as pinch to zoom are also supported. To simplify the selection of items, the finger can be moved over a list to highlight menu items as a replacement for the hover function of the mouse pointer.

Although this new feature is not a definitive confirmation that a MacBook with a touchscreen is actually planned, it does lend credibility to the rumors. The MacBook Ultra will be offered with either Apple M6 Pro or M6 Max. Rumors suggest that Apple will give the notebook a completely new design, featuring a thinner body and a punch-hole or dynamic island instead of a notch. The OLED touchscreen is to be offered with a diagonal of 14.3 inches or 16.3 inches. The launch is expected between September 2026 and spring 2027.