Apple’s Touchscreen MacBook Pro Pushes Laptop Pricing to a New Extreme

Apple has released its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, and the pricing reaches a new high for laptop computers. The MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch version. Fully configured systems can cost as much as $14,549. Pre-orders opened on October 28, 2026. The first units ship on November 6. The models feature tandem OLED panels, M5 Pro or M5 Max chips, and Dynamic Island on a Mac for the first time. Non-touchscreen MacBook Pros remain available alongside the new machines. Starting Prices and Premium Over Previous Models The entry-level 14-inch configuration with an M5 Pro chip (15-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB unified memory, 1TB SSD) is priced at $2,899. The 16-inch M5 Pro starts at $3,399. M5 Max versions begin at $4,499 (14-inch) and $4,799 (16-inch). These starting prices sit roughly $400 above the previous non-touchscreen M5 Pro and M5 Max models. Education discounts reduce the entry points to $2,749 and $3,199. A separate 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M6 chip and no touchscreen starts at $1,999. Maximum Configuration Reaches $14,549 Apple’s configurator allows the 16-inch touchscreen model to reach $14,549. That setup includes the highest-end M5 Max (18-core CPU, 40-core GPU), 128GB of unified memory, a 16TB SSD, and nano-texture glass. The 14-inch fully loaded version is listed at $14,249. The previous maximum for a 16-inch MacBook Pro was approximately $10,149. The jump is driven largely by the new 16TB storage option, which adds about $7,000, along with the $2,000 upgrade to 128GB of memory. Nano-texture glass adds $150. Memory and storage pricing has been influenced by broader shortages tied to AI hardware demand. Design and Features The new models use a tandem OLED display with high contrast and a 120Hz refresh rate. The touch sensor is integrated into the panel. The 14-inch model weighs about 3 pounds; the 16-inch weighs about 4 pounds. Battery life is rated up to 24 hours. Connectivity includes Thunderbolt 5, HDMI, an SDXC reader, MagSafe, Wi-Fi 7, and Bluetooth 6. The machines ship with macOS 27. Apple has stated that the Mac remains primarily a keyboard-and-trackpad device, with touch available when useful. The company added a redesigned thermal system, an anti-reflective coating, and a reinforced hinge. What to Watch Customer response to the $2,899 starting price and the $14,549 maximum configuration. Whether professionals adopt the touchscreen models for video, design, or local AI workloads. Availability of the non-touchscreen M5 and M6 MacBook Pros as lower-cost alternatives. Any further pricing adjustments or storage/memory option changes. Initial reviews of the PROLED XDR display and touch implementation. Impact of high-end Mac pricing on the broader laptop market. Apple’s touchscreen MacBook Pro starts at $2,899 and can be configured to $14,549, establishing a new high for laptop pricing. The PROLED XDR models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips are available for pre-order and ship on November 6.