The MacBook Pro's PROLED XDR display is the best display you can buy right now, but touch adds little to the experience and it lacks Apple Pencil support

The best MacBook Pro display is now available with touch, but touch is not the compelling feature.

Apple's latest M5 Max MacBook Pro revision introduces a PROLED XDR display with tandem OLED technology, a $400 premium feature, while also incorporating touch control. Despite Steve Jobs's past skepticism, Apple promoted the touch functionality heavily, though the review indicates it adds little to the user experience and lacks Apple Pencil support. The primary advantage of this new model lies in its display, which is described as the best ever tested, offering spectacular color accuracy and true blacks due to OLED's per-pixel illumination. Performance remains identical to the previous M5 Max MacBook Pro, but the new model is thinner and lighter by approximately 15%, achieved through the use of the OLED panel and revised thermal system. Design refinements include reduced bezels, rounded corners, and an updated speaker system. The glowing Apple logo also makes a return. Battery life under load remains impressive, and connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, supporting multiple high-resolution external displays.

The integration of tandem OLED technology into the MacBook Pro's display, despite its premium cost, signifies a significant step in screen quality for laptops. This advancement promises unparalleled visual fidelity, which is crucial for creative professionals who rely on accurate color representation. The continued emphasis on display excellence over raw performance in a high-end model suggests a market segment prioritizing visual experience and portability, even at a higher price point.

The inclusion of touch capability, even if deemed a 'great demo' rather than a core utility, hints at Apple's ongoing exploration of new interaction paradigms for macOS. While this specific implementation may not resonate with users, it could pave the way for future, more integrated touch or gesture controls across Apple's product lines. The device's success will likely hinge on whether users find value in the superior display, or if the touch feature, however underbaked, signals a shift in Apple's approach to laptop interfaces.