Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash
Apple is reportedly close to shipping its first touchscreen MacBook Pro, and early reporting suggests the redesign will push prices higher. For Indian buyers already paying a steep import premium on Apple hardware, that is one more reason to look closely at what a laptop upgrade actually needs to cost.
What's Actually Changing in the New MacBook Pro
According to a Tom's Hardware report, Apple is preparing 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with on-cell touch technology built directly into an OLED display, replacing the mini-LED panels used today. The redesign is also expected to trim the notch down to a smaller camera cutout and make the chassis noticeably lighter than current models.
TechRadar notes that touch on a MacBook is a genuine departure for Apple, and that the idea has split opinion among longtime Mac users who see little practical need for a touchscreen trackpad-and-keyboard laptop. Face ID is reportedly not part of this generation.
The bigger number for buyers, per coverage syndicated on Yahoo Tech, is price: the new touch and OLED components are expected to add a few hundred dollars to the cost of each model compared with today's MacBook Pro lineup.
Why This Hits Harder in India
Apple laptops already carry a significant price gap between US and Indian retail, between import duty, GST, and currency conversion. A "few hundred dollar" bump at the US price point typically translates into an even larger jump once it lands on an Indian price tag. Add in the fact that this is a first-generation redesign -- new hinge mechanics, a new touch layer, no Face ID -- and early adopters are effectively paying a premium to test hardware that hasn't been through a full product cycle yet.
That calculus looks very different for buyers who don't need the Apple ecosystem specifically and just need a reliable laptop for work, college, or a home office. A current-generation Windows machine, bought unboxed or refurbished, sidesteps both the price hike and the first-gen risk entirely.
What to Buy Instead if You Don't Need to Wait
For most day-to-day work and study use cases, a well-specced business laptop or student laptop from our unboxed laptops range covers the same ground as a new MacBook Pro at a fraction of the cost, with a full 1-year brand warranty attached. If brand familiarity matters, our Dell and HP selections cover both categories with configurations suited to spreadsheets-and-email work as well as heavier multitasking.
The practical test is simple: does the job in front of you need a touchscreen OLED panel, or does it need a machine that boots fast, runs your software, and doesn't need a service centre visit in year one? For almost everyone outside creative professionals tied to macOS-only software, the second description is what actually matters -- and it's available today, not whenever Apple's redesign actually ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the touchscreen MacBook Pro confirmed by Apple?
No. Everything about the redesign comes from analyst and journalist reporting, not an Apple announcement. Timing estimates in various reports have ranged from October/November 2026 to early 2027.
Will the touchscreen MacBook Pro cost more in India than the current model?
Reporting suggests the new components alone could add a few hundred dollars to the US price. In India, import duty and GST on top of that typically make the price increase even larger in absolute terms.
Should I wait for the new MacBook Pro before buying a laptop?
Only if you specifically need a touchscreen OLED MacBook and are comfortable paying a first-generation premium. For general work or study use, an unboxed or refurbished Windows laptop available now covers the same needs for considerably less.
What warranty do unboxed laptops come with?
Unboxed laptops and gaming laptops carry a 1-year brand warranty, the same as a new retail unit, while refurbished laptops carry a 6-month warranty.
Can I return a laptop if I change my mind after buying it unboxed?
No, change-of-mind returns aren't offered. Transit damage is covered as a defect remedy when reported with an unboxing video, and a buyback program is available for 80% of the purchase price within 15 days.
