Apple has ignored touchscreens on Macs for years, while the rest of the laptop world long ago switched to touch displays. Tim Cook personally said that poking a laptop screen with your fingers was a bad idea. Yet rumors about a MacBook with a touchscreen kept coming. Now, it seems, Cupertino has finally changed its mind. According to fresh reports, MacBook Neo 2 in 2027 could become Apple’s first laptop with a full-fledged touchscreen. Let’s break down what’s known so far and why this is truly important.

MacBook Neo 2 will get a touchscreen — now that’s a revolution!

What’s Known About the MacBook Neo 2 with a Touchscreen

The information emerged thanks to insiders who claim that Apple is actively testing prototypes of the second-generation MacBook Neo with a touchscreen. This isn’t about some experimental model for developers, but a mass-produced device that could hit the market.

Apple has big plans for MacBook Neo 2. Photo: dgl.ru

In fact, rumors about touchscreen Macs have been circulating for a long time. A couple of years ago, analysts suggested that Apple would eventually come to this decision. But the MacBook Neo looks like the ideal candidate: it’s Apple’s most affordable laptop, aimed at a mass audience, students, and those transitioning from iPad. And for these users, a touchscreen is something completely natural.

It’s still unknown exactly what technology Apple plans to use. It could be a standard capacitive touchscreen or something more advanced with Apple Pencil support. The second option would be a real bombshell, but also significantly more expensive to produce.

Why a Touchscreen on a MacBook Is Needed

The main question skeptics ask: why even have a touchscreen on a macOS laptop? After all, the system has historically been designed for trackpad and mouse. But it’s not that simple.

Apple should finally do what Windows laptop manufacturers did long ago. Photo: tomsguide.com

  • First, recent versions of macOS have been actively borrowing elements from iPadOS. Desktop widgets, Stage Manager, enlarged interface elements — all of this is perfectly suited for finger control. Apple has clearly been laying the groundwork.
  • Second, competitors have long proven that a touchscreen on a laptop is convenient. Windows laptop users are accustomed to scrolling pages, zooming into photos, and tapping buttons directly on the screen. And when they switch to a Mac, the first thing they do is reach for the display with their finger. And it doesn’t respond.
  • Third, for the MacBook Neo this makes particular sense. This laptop is positioned as an entry-level device. It’s bought by people who previously used an iPad or budget Windows laptops with touchscreens. For them, the absence of a touchscreen is a step backward, not forward.

Earlier, if anyone remembers, Craig Federighi — Apple’s software boss — admitted that macOS wasn’t suited for touchscreens, but hinted that one day this could change.

What macOS with a Touchscreen Will Look Like

A MacBook with a touchscreen is a solid idea, but Apple will have to rework macOS. Photo: macrumors.com

Adding a touchscreen isn’t enough — the system needs to be reworked. And this is where things get really interesting. Most likely, Apple will prepare macOS for touchscreens in advance — even before the MacBook Neo 2 launches.

  • Interface elements will become larger.
  • Gestures familiar from iPad will appear: swipes, multitouch, long press for context menus.
  • At the same time, the trackpad and keyboard aren’t going anywhere — the touchscreen will be an additional way of interacting, not the primary one.

I think Apple will follow Microsoft’s approach: the touchscreen works alongside traditional controls. Want to use the trackpad — go ahead. Want to tap the screen — do it. Nobody’s forcing anyone. But the mere availability of this option fundamentally changes the user experience, especially when working with photos, notes, and the browser.

Meanwhile, if Apple adds Apple Pencil support, the MacBook Neo 2 could partially replace the iPad for artists and students. Tilt the screen back, pull out the stylus — and draw right in Procreate (or its macOS version). It sounds like science fiction, but that’s exactly where things are heading.

When Will MacBook Neo 2 Come Out — Price

There are no specific dates yet. Sources say that MacBook Neo 2 may not appear before 2027, and possibly even later. Apple is in no rush — the company wants to make sure that a touchscreen on a Mac won’t be a flop, but will genuinely improve the user experience.

You can’t say that the MacBook with Touch Bar was a failure back in the day. Rather, it was just a trial run. Photo: TechCrunch

As for the price — there’s no specifics yet either. The first MacBook Neo is affordable, and it’s logical to assume that Apple will try to keep the second generation’s price in a similar range. However, a touchscreen inevitably increases production costs. So a slight price increase is quite likely.

Another important point: if the touchscreen in MacBook Neo 2 proves popular with users, Apple will almost certainly extend it to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. This could mark the beginning of a new era for the entire Mac lineup.

Should You Buy a MacBook with a Touchscreen

Let’s be honest. If you’re choosing a laptop right now and looking at the first-generation MacBook Neo — go ahead and buy it, don’t wait. The second version is still at least a year away, if not more. In that time, you’ll have gotten your money’s worth ten times over. But if you’re not in a hurry and are eyeing a budget Mac for the long term, then a touchscreen is a serious reason to wait. Especially if you’re used to iPad.

If you have a MacBook Air or Pro from recent years — there’s no point waiting for MacBook Neo 2. It’s a different class of device. But if you’re choosing between an iPad with a keyboard and a budget Mac, then the touchscreen in MacBook Neo 2 could be that perfect compromise that’s been missing. I’d keep an eye on it at the very least.