MacBook Ultra: 5 Features That Could Justify the Name

[johnsawyercjs]

I want a haptic glass keyboard, that can become anything when needed.
A jog wheel for FCP. A piano keyboard for Logic. A drawing pad for Pixelmator or Procreate etc. To me, thats the future.

Apple has done research on, and has patents for, a display-based keyboard for the rumored all-screen foldable Macbook, in which the areas where "keys" are displayed either raise up when you invoke the keyboard, forming rows of bumps that deform downward when you press on them, to simulate the movement of mechanical keytops, along with a haptic engine click, to provide tactile feedback/home row positioning, and another design in which the "keys" stay flat, but they deform downward when you press on them.

 

[1nkd]

Touchscreen does seem interesting in my rare scenario. Photographing high end architecture on location, tethering via cord..(hopefully wireless in the future). When in Capture One I can quickly mark up the final capture of each shot for the editor / retouched. The iPad along with a MacBook flow can be a bit clunky between 2 devices. Be great if you can 180deg flip the screen to be and iPad also. Another use for quick edits on site via Capture One or Photoshop if quick testing is needed would be for gradient / dodge burn adjustments with a pen. Finding ways to work efficient with having to drag around minimal tech is all ways desired.

 

[Beau10]

Apple has done research on, and has patents for, a display-based keyboard for the rumored all-screen foldable Macbook, in which the areas where "keys" are displayed either raise up when you invoke the keyboard, forming rows of bumps that deform downward when you press on them, to simulate the movement of mechanical keytops, along with a haptic engine click, to provide tactile feedback/home row positioning, and another design in which the "keys" stay flat, but they deform downward when you press on them.

I'm wondering if that's what we're getting, something along the lines of rumors from a few years back where we weren't sure if Apple was working on a foldable iPhone, iPad, or all screen Macbook.

Maybe we're getting a foldable Macbook as well as an iPhone. Could be used how you state, or perhaps it can also have a detachable keyboard and when connected, an ultra-wide, 20" display. With all the advantages of acting like a multi-modal iPad, w/ full MacOS + stylus.

 

[M3Stang]

Weird they are not mentioning the modem. I am sitting the M5 MBP gen out and sold my M4 Max while it was still worth something and using an M5 Air as a stop gap for the cellular wait. Hope it wasn't in vain to sell it lol.

 

[jsmith189]

Is this a joke? MacBook Pro m5 max starting from $3899 to get 6299 you have to ask for 4tb ssd and 128gb ram

Australian pricing. This is baseline here.

 

[eifelbube]

And no cellular modem?

If no cellular modem from the start, the Apple strategic product evolution delay will kick in, i.e. cellular modem will be added 2028, 2029 the latest. But the MBP Ultra is still just a rumor. We will have plenty of opportunities between now and late ‘26/early ‘27 to chime in (and repeat ourselves) on the touchscreen, the OLED, the M6, the thinness, the Gurman Wheel of Rumors spins, …

 

[zephonic]

It must have a 20” screen to justify the name.

I'm thinking probably 15" and 17"

 

[buckwheet]

What? The Apple Watch Ultra is super rugged and thick/huge. This looks like a completely different direction. Which is why I don't believe this rumor. Also, how the *$&#$ did they not include cellular in this post???

Fair enough. I don't really follow the watch, tbh... there was a version of the Apple Watch that came out at the beginning that was gold and super expensive, but still kind of the same product... that's more what I was thinking of. Anyway, the point is pretty obvious of what I'm saying. It strikes me they're going for a luxury device, not a workhorse. Simple. The cellular omission is just this rumour/article, imho. Cellular was there in the original rumours and I suspect it will be in the actual product.

 

[RumorConsumer]

Vapor chamber lets do it

 

[kuito]

the feature was ultimately discontinued following a lukewarm reception

That is a very nice way of saying it massively flopped and very few actually enjoyed using it.

 

[kuito]

Does actually anyone want the touch screen option? I hate the smudges on my screen and I'm even trying to touch that on purpose. It would make sense if the device would be 2-in-1 and thinner in design so it could be used as a tablet on the go (but it wouldn't be an Ultra in the sense that it would be more powerfull than Pro). I just don't get why I would like to have a regular laptop with touch screen.

I personally don’t, as long as it can be disabled I’m good, and also don’t necessarily want it thinner if it forces the departure of MagSafe charger and/or battery life

 

[svish]

Waiting to see the new redesigned MacBook. Would like to see cellular connectivity option too. Think Apple will price it at $2999 for the 16" variant.

 

[chars1ub0w]

It's actually a term for very light/compact laptops, more commonly used 10-15 years ago... at the time it was around, the 12" was considered an ultrabook class laptop.

Unfortunately, Ultrabook is trademarked by Intel.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

What? Why would anyone buy a Neo or anything else now if the Ultra is going to have a $599 price point?

 

[robotfist]

Not interested in:
- Touchscreen
- Thinner design
- Dynamic Island


Interested in:
- OLED
- M6 and AI optimization
- Advanced Thermal Management
- Cell connectivity
- Retractable switchblade that shoots out back

 

[FrozenDarkness]

give me thin, give me oled, keep the 32gb ram don't need it

 

[teejaysplace24]

The only thing “ultra” here is gonna be the price.

 

[macnavi]

A laptop screen with touch ability is very bad for your shoulders, I can say from experience. Bad idea, just as the Touch Bar was.

 

[janwerbinski]

I have Lenovo P52 workstawion with touch screen and modem. I never use touch screen, because I don't like to clean it. Also I never use modem, because Wi-Fi is everywhere. If somewhere isn't then I prefer to tether my iPhone instead to pay for another SIM.
Anyway. MacBook Pro M5 Pro 64 GB is waiting for me to pick it up in BKK Apple Store.

 

[hajime]

I have Lenovo P52 workstawion with touch screen and modem. I never use touch screen, because I don't like to clean it. Also I never use modem, because Wi-Fi is everywhere. If somewhere isn't then I prefer to tether my iPhone instead to pay for another SIM.
Anyway. MacBook Pro M5 Pro 64 GB is waiting for me to pick it up in BKK Apple Store.

I had the same. It was good except for the jet engine noise and the screen showed grids due to their stupid implementation of the touch screen.

 

[CaynanCrenshaw]

In my opinion if apple where to make a touchscreen macbook, they might as well discontinue the ipad line up....... Then just make the macs 2 in 1....... Fold it all the way over like a tablet and let run a new os "MacOs Mobile"

 

[Smith288]

Apple is running out of adjectives to name their models after.

Macbook SUPER DUPER ULTRA
Macbook UltraPro
Macbook ProUltra Ultra
Macbook Plus Ultro Pro

 

[blacktape242]

ultra pricey, no thanks.

 

[ab2c4]

I don't see any of these as "ultra". In my mind the current MBP is already ultra, it just so happens to be named Pro instead.

 

[bjork90210]

Touchscreens are associated with the bottom tier, plastic crap PC laptops, not premium workstations like the MacBook Pro.

The is a 0% chance it will have a touchscreen. I will be making a lot of money on this bet:

Will Apple release a touchscreen MacBook in 2026?

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