According to Zhitong Finance APP, Apple (AAPL.US) confirmed on Monday that it will hold a product launch event at 1:00 PM Eastern Time on October 28 (1:00 AM Beijing Time on October 29) in Los Angeles, where it is expected to unveil its first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen—marking a significant shift in Apple’s Mac product design and interaction methods. Additionally, the new entry-level MacBook Pro, an upgraded iMac, and the next-generation iPad mini are also anticipated to be unveiled at the event.
This launch event is themed “Pro and tell,” echoing the upcoming update to the MacBook Pro lineup. According to prior media reports, Apple plans to unveil several new Mac and iPad models at the event, with the most anticipated being the MacBook Pro featuring a touchscreen for the first time.
For a long time, Apple has maintained that Macs and iPads belong to distinct product categories, believing that traditional laptops and touch tablets should offer different interaction experiences. Therefore, the introduction of the first touchscreen MacBook Pro will signify a shift in Apple’s longstanding reluctance to merge the two product experiences. The new touchscreen MacBook Pro is expected to feature an OLED display for the first time, offering significantly improved visual clarity compared to current screens. Additionally, the device will introduce Apple’s “Dynamic Island” interactive interface, similar to that found on iPhones. Both features will make their debut on Mac products.
In terms of processors, the new touchscreen MacBook Pro is expected to feature the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the same chip series used in the current MacBook Pro released in March. The addition of a touchscreen, OLED display technology, and the Dynamic Island will be the main highlights of this product update.
In addition to the high-end MacBook Pro, Apple plans to launch a new entry-level MacBook Pro powered by the M6 chip and an updated iMac. A new generation of iPad mini is also expected, with one of its main upgrades being a sharper display.
This product launch comes just weeks after Apple’s recent series of product updates. Previously, Apple rolled out HomeView, the second-generation HomePod mini, and an upgraded Apple TV set-top box, further expanding its smart home and entertainment device lineup. Meanwhile, Apple’s first foldable iPhone Duo will go on sale this Friday, marking another significant product release for the company.
According to media reports on Sunday, Apple retail stores are preparing to begin selling a new batch of products on Friday, November 6. This suggests that some of the new products announced on October 28 may launch shortly after the event, although Apple has yet to confirm the exact release dates.
For Apple, the introduction of a touchscreen MacBook Pro is not just a hardware upgrade but could also reshape the future direction of the Mac product line. By integrating touch controls with traditional keyboard and trackpad interactions, Apple has the potential to expand the use cases for Mac and strengthen the seamless experience across its ecosystem of devices.
Against the backdrop of recent intensive launches of smart home devices, foldable smartphones, and new Mac models, next week’s event will serve as a key window for the market to observe Apple’s pace of product innovation and its high-end hardware strategy.