Ars Technica review: new MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen is pricey but high quality

Technology site Ars Technica published a review in November 2026 of the new MacBook Pro laptop from US company Apple. Reviewer Samuel Axon concludes that its display is the best he has seen on a laptop, but the machine is very expensive and uncertainty about the future of computing complicates the decision to buy.

Display

Apple uses what it calls a tandem OLED display, with two light-emitting layers. This allows higher brightness and lowers the risk of burn-in, since the load can be shared between the layers. Peak brightness on HDR highlights reaches 2,000 nits, with sustained brightness rated at 1,000 nits. The refresh rate varies from 10 to 120 Hz. The laptop comes in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes, and an optional nano-texture glass finish costs an extra $150.

The reviewer could not find anything substantive to criticize about the screen; his only complaint is Apple's "PROLED XDR" branding.

Design and touch

With the lid closed, the model looks nearly identical to its predecessor, though it is about half a pound lighter. The Apple logo on the lid lights up again, and the camera notch has been replaced by a cutout similar to the Dynamic Island on iPhones.

For the first time, the MacBook Pro has a touchscreen, even though Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was opposed to the idea. There is no tablet mode or Apple Pencil support, which the reviewer calls a missed opportunity.

Performance and buying uncertainty

The ports, battery life of up to 24 hours and the M5 Pro and M5 Max chip options are unchanged from the previous model, and benchmarks showed no meaningful difference. According to Bloomberg, Apple plans a major redesign with the M7 chip line in 2027, focused on on-device AI processing. For buyers who care about AI workflows or 3D work, waiting may be worth considering.