Apple has just unveiled the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR, its first MacBook with a touch display. While Apple already added a handful of touch optimizations to macOS 27 Golden Gate earlier this year, there are also a number of new optimizations that were unveiled alongside the new MacBook Pro. Here’s what Apple did.
Enlarged traffic light icons
With the new touchscreen MacBook Pro, the traffic light icons at the top left of an app window get bigger when you tap them, making the touch targets a bit bigger.
On screen gestures
Gestures that you can normally perform on the trackpad can also be performed on the screen. Whether that’s a three-finger swipe up for mission control, three-finger swipes to switch places, pinch to zoom or scroll on a website. You can also access Spotlight from the Dynamic Island, similar to how iPhones handle it on iOS 27.
iOS simulator
If you are an app developer, you will really appreciate this change: with the new MacBook Pro, you can fully navigate the iOS simulator with touch. No need to try to replicate touch gestures on a trackpad.
When interacting with a context menu in the menu bar, each item in a menu becomes slightly larger for touch. Additionally, most optimized apps will have larger touch targets, even if the buttons don’t necessarily appear larger.
Graduation
All in all, there are already a handful of optimizations in macOS 27 Golden Gate for the touchscreen MacBook Pro. In addition to what was mentioned here, Apple also added pull to refresh in Safari and a slightly larger spacing between menu bar items on all Macs with macOS 27.
Apple also says there’s more to come on the Mac when it comes to touch optimizations, so we’ll likely see a lot more in store at the next WWDC.
What do you think about touch support on the new MacBook Pro? Are you excited for it to finally drop on all Macs? Let us know in the comments.
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