Apple is reportedly going to revamp their MacBook Pro lineup by retaining only the 14-inch base model and removing the high-end (non-touchscreen) variants. The implications are that if you want a high-performance MacBook Pro model, you either have to live with a touch interface or you'll have to find another option. It's a clear indicator of what direction Apple is headed for professional laptops in the future.
Apple phases out high-end non-touch MacBook Pros, retaining only the 14-inch M7 base model
The base 14-inch model that will be retained is getting a big upgrade internally, thanks to the new M7 chip. Remember the recent announcement of the first MacBook Pro with touchscreen (M5 Pro & M5 Max chips)? We have that.
Specifications
- 14-inch Base Model Chip: M7
- 14-inch Base Model Design: New thin and light chassis, no touch support
- Touch MacBook Pro Price Premium: $400 higher than non-touch models
- Base Model Starting Price: $1,999
And it's going to have this new base model with a thinner and lighter design chassis. But this particular 14-inch model won't be touchscreen.
The new models come with different pricing based on touch vs non-touch models. The base 14-inch model with M7 chip will begin at $1,999. Apple has a $400 premium for touchscreen MacBook Pro models over non-touch models. This is showing how much Apple values this new display tech.
We've been following MacBook Pro very closely and even recently reported on the first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. These have PROLED XDR OLED display and M5 chips. You can check out our previous coverage here (Apple MacBook Pro gets first touchscreen). This new M7 base model is a whole different category of the evolving lineup.
Apple is reportedly going to phase out non-touchscreen high-end MacBook Pro models by 2027. The 14-inch base model with M7 chip will still be available. Which confirms that we will have the base model, but it will have updated hardware, with changes in design too.
Apple is thinning the chassis but keeping the M7. I wonder how the thermal envelope handles sustained loads with that much less metal to dissipate heat.