The big difference is a pointer can be used on a touch UI without changing the UI. A finger can't be used on a pointer UI without changing the UI. Microsoft tried the changing UI and people seemed to not like that. If they don't change the UI, I could only see touch being used for gestures, not pointing.
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OLED MacBook Air Expected to Follow Touch Screen OLED MacBook Pro
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I do find it interesting they're jumping straight to OLED for the MacBook Air and iPad Air rather than the usual trickle-down tech which would mean the Air tier gets mini LED next. Seems perhaps it's a more expensive tech as it's quite niche (it never appeared on the 11" Pro whilst even the current tandem OLED is included on that model now) and presumably few options for suppliers. For devices with very large monitors (iMacs and the displays) I wonder if mini LED will get a final outing in upcoming models? I get the impression OLED is still extremely expensive, and must take a lot of graphics grunt to drive, when you're talking about very big (TV sized) panels at 200+ppi?
It doesn’t really help; OLED causes eye strain not only because of PWM, but also due to its direct light emission.
So far away. Not sure whether it will have a notch or hole punch cut out enabling dynamic island of some sort. It will definitely be lacking a touchscreen. Looks like there will be bigger differences between the MacBook Air and Pro going forward. Also not sure whether the Air will get cellular support in the future. Waiting to hear more rumors.
then does lowering the brightness help? As PWM smoothing uses DC dimming instead of thickening PWM lines.
tried everything, my eye just feels much better looking at LED screens.
I have literally never found touch to be faster than mouse and keyboard. I have a good mouse and can scroll much faster than any finger could. I can also change my pointer speed on the fly. Touch makes zero sense at all desktop operating system level.
How often are you actively walking or standing while holding and using your computer? The software I/we use isn't available on iPad.
I do that, for at least a couple hours, daily.
iPadOS 26 has some very small elements I have a difficult time touching. And that OS is BUILT for touch. In no way will macOS be good for touch. Only something like Windows 8 was good at touch. Windows 10 or 11 are horrible for touch and I have several surface pro devices.
I use an iPad for that. No way am I holding a $5,000 laptop on my hand while using it. It will fall. Tablets are smaller and can be held easier.
It will result in Windows 8 type changes.
The software we use isn't available on iPad. It's my work computer anyway, not my personal device.
I already manage a work-provided laptop, and a phone. I don't want more crap to use and keep track of.
Doesn’t matter if it’s for work. If I keep dropping expensive laptops I’ll get denied at some point.
Well luckily in my five years in my position, I've never dropped one, nor have I ever seen one dropped.
Point is, regardless, is we can't use iPads and we walk around doing rounds.
Why not just use surface pro then? It runs full windows and can be held like an iPad.
Have you ever tried doing file management in Windows Explorer using the touchscreen on a Surface? It's like beating your head on a wall. Adding a touchscreen to a GUI that's specifically designed for keyboard and mouse is completely frustrating. Now try try changing fonts, and apply formatting to a document in a Microsoft Word. The experience makes you want to throw the device against a wall.
That's my point. It's going to be a terrible customer experience, and makes zero sense why they would add a touchscreen. Not unless they have some plan to make iOS apps/games run on MacOS so your laptop becomes a big iPad that they haven't yet announced.