Abandoning Steve Jobs' "anti-touch" legacy? Rumors suggest Apple(AAPL.US) will launch its first touchscreen MacBook Pro this fall, featuring the Dynamic Island.

According to reports, Apple’s highly anticipated touchscreen MacBook Pro will feature the iPhone’s Dynamic Island design and bring significant changes to the system interface. Apple plans to launch the first models with touchscreens this fall, with a specific release expected around late 2026.

The report, citing insiders, reveals that Apple is undergoing a comprehensive redesign of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, internally codenamed K114 and K116, with plans to release them by late 2026. The new models will adopt OLED displays, marking Apple’s first use of this technology in the Mac lineup.

Dynamic Island will replace the notch, providing more available screen space for content. It is an area on the screen that integrates the camera and displays software interaction interfaces, first introduced on the iPhone in 2022. Similar to the iPhone version, the Mac Dynamic Island will support interactions and will adapt based on the app or system functions in use. Users will be able to easily view notifications, sports scores, media controls, and even third-party apps, such as checking delivery order status.

Meanwhile, although the new MacBook Pro will look similar to current models—featuring a full-sized keyboard and large trackpad—it will introduce a refreshed dynamic user interface that can switch freely between touch and click inputs.

Sources say Apple is optimizing macOS to better support touch interactions. Users will be able to tap or lightly press elements on the screen, with interface controls automatically adjusting based on the input method. For example, tapping a menu item will display larger, touch-optimized controls. The goal is to provide controls that best suit the user’s touch or click actions. Touch-related options will be fully integrated into macOS, which will also support iPad gestures like pinch-to-zoom and quick scrolling.

On the software side, Apple has already laid the groundwork for this transition. Last year, the macOS Tahoe “Liquid Glass” design language was introduced, paving the way for the touchscreen MacBook Pro. This version increased spacing for some icons and notifications, and touch-optimized sliders were added to the Control Center.

However, Apple does not intend to position the new MacBook Pro as a replacement for the iPad, nor will it describe its interface as touchscreen-centric. Instead, the company hopes users can freely switch between touch and traditional mouse input as needed.

Notably, this means the new MacBook Pro will be the first Mac to support screen gesture controls, representing a major shift for Apple. The company has long maintained that it would not bring touch technology to Macs, with co-founder Steve Jobs criticizing the experience as “ergonomically terrible.” Previously, Apple experimented with OLED touch bars on older MacBook Pro models but canceled them due to lack of user interest.

In 2021, Apple hardware chief John Ternus stated in an interview that the company had created “the best touch computer” with the iPad. He added that the company “didn’t really see a reason to change that.”

However, the industry landscape has shifted, with many Windows laptops now featuring touchscreens as standard. Additionally, Apple has unified more applications across its platforms, making it easier to introduce touch support on Macs. Besides faster chips, Apple also needs new features to attract Mac users. Plans for a redesign were first revealed as early as 2023. A few months ago, when asked whether the company would eventually change its stance, software chief Craig Federighi jokingly responded, “Who knows?”