Jason Hiner/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways A touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED could arrive by late 2026. A more affordable MacBook with iPhone chip won't get touchscreen. iPads should still be fine, despite sharing features with MacBooks. For years, there have been rumors of Apple working on adding a touchscreen to its MacBook lineup. In 2023, Bloomberg reported active development of the device, which was first slated to launch in 2025. It seems the project is real, and its release has been shifted to next year. According to a new X (formerly Twitter) post from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino giant is finally gearing up to include a touch panel on the MacBook Pro next year. Kuo took to X and said, "This [MacBook models with a touch panel] shift appears to reflect Apple's long-term observation of iPad user behavior, indicating that in certain scenarios, touch controls can enhance both productivity and the overall user experience." Also: iPadOS 26 is turning my iPad Air into the ultraportable laptop it was meant to be The touch-enabled MacBook Pro is slated to launch by late 2026 and use on-cell touch technology. What about the iPad? Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Apple has argued for more than a decade that touchscreens don't work well on laptops and that the iPad is a better option if someone wants a touch interface. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last year, Tom Boger, Apple's vice president of iPad and Mac product marketing, said that Apple doesn't see MacBook and iPad as competing devices. The iPad, he said, "has always been a touch-first device," while the MacBook is meant to be used with a trackpad/mouse and a keyboard. Also: I swapped my Windows laptop for a MacBook Air M4, and finally understand the hype Yet rival brands with Windows-based machines have democratized touchscreens on laptops. In fact, I'm currently typing this article on an Honor MagicBook Art 14 (2025), which packs an OLED touch panel in a 1kg form factor. I must admit, I don't use the touch functionality often -- maybe a few touches or swipes here and there, but no active usage. Blurring the lines I believe a touchscreen is more functional on the iPad than a laptop for two reasons. Also: 4 Apple products you should avoid buying this week (including these iPhone 17 models) First, it supports a touch-enabled OS, and second, it runs mobile apps. Most desktop software isn't designed to be touch-first, which is why the Microsoft Surface Pro never gained widespread adoption. I loved the form factor to take notes in college, but the utility in touch mode was limited to artistic use cases with the Surface Pen. And Windows is yet to evolve for an intuitive touch experience. Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET I think a similar situation will arise on a touch-sensitive MacBook Pro, unless Apple offers seamless transition between desktop software and its mobile-equivalent apps. It is, anyway, blurring the lines between the MacBook and the iPad with the new iPadOS 26. I've used the latest version, and the new multitasking features offer unparalleled improvement in productivity. However, I don't see it being a direct competitor to the MacBook Air or Pro because it can't run desktop software. I still feel limited when I have to file a story in the content management system (CMS), but mobile Safari and Chrome throw errors. Also: The 5 best iPads of 2025 If both the iPad and MacBook are touch-enabled in 2026, the operating system would be the biggest differentiator between the two computing devices. With iPads, you'd get a mobile OS made for touch-first input with Face ID and 5G. On the other hand, a touchscreen MacBook Pro would offer more ports, better performance, and desktop software made for keyboard and trackpad/mouse input. Apple is also rumored to launch a more affordable MacBook model powered by an iPhone processor with 5G. However, according to Kuo, it won't get a touch panel.