Apple's touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro has been delayed to early 2027 due to component shortages, according to Bloomberg. Mark Gurman reports that a global shortage of RAM and SSD modules has pushed back production of the new M6 Pro and M6 Max powered laptops from their originally planned late 2026 release. It's a rare setback for a company known for meeting launch timelines, and it means buyers must wait another year for a touchscreen Mac.

Consumers and developers must wait another year for a touch enabled macOS experience. The touchscreen would allow direct screen interaction (think pinch to zoom in Photoshop, scrolling PDFs with a fingertip, or tapping emojis without reaching for the trackpad) while keeping the keyboard and trackpad for traditional workflows. The delayed device, Apple's M6 MacBook Pro with a touchscreen OLED, represents the company's first major departure from its decade long touch free laptop policy.

According to Gurman's sources, the touchscreen software for macOS 27 will be fully ready by fall 2026, but hardware bottlenecks have forced the delay. Because of the scale of the changes and parts supply issues, Apple may position the OLED models as a new premium line with a higher price point. Current M5 based MacBook Pros could remain on sale as base level options at their existing prices.

Apple's delay reflects broader industry pressures on silicon supply chains. While the software for macOS 27's touch layer is on track for completion, the hardware bottleneck means the OLED panels and associated controllers remain scarce. The same supply chain constraints are also delaying the launch of an updated Mac Studio. It's a reminder that even Apple can't engineer around logistics when the parts simply aren't available.

Apple plans to release the OLED touchscreen models in early 2027 once component availability improves. The laptops are expected to feature a Dynamic Island cutout and represent one of the biggest updates in the MacBook Pro line's history. In the meantime, the company will continue selling current M5 based MacBook Pros at existing prices, giving buyers a lower cost option while the premium touchscreen variant prepares for launch. For anyone who needs a new Mac now, the M5 is still excellent (just don't expect to tap the screen).