Touchscreen? What touchscreen?

In partnership with

If you’ve got several thousand dollars burning a hole in your pocket — and let’s face it, in this economy, who doesn’t? — the spectacular and spectacularly expensive new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is available for preorder.

If I had the cash, I’d buy one in an instant, even though it’s totally overkill for me.

There’s something irresistible about modern MacBooks. The industrial design is gorgeous, the fit and finish are off the charts, and every single detail feels perfect.

And the Pro models especially appeal, mostly because of the insane power, extra storage, better battery life and other high-end touches.

The first round of reviews just went live, and as I’m sure you can guess, most of them lavish praise on the new laptop’s gorgeous PROLED XDR Display.

As for the touchscreen aspect, which we initially thought would be a very big deal, that part is downplayed. Here are the initial reactions to Apple’s loveliest new machine.

Also in today’s newsletter:

How does the MacBook Pro’s PROLED XDR display compare to Apple’s high-end Studio Display XDR? Here’s how they stack up.
Apple’s not messing about with HomeView security: It’s three strikes and you’re out!
🔥 DEAL OF THE DAY: There are all kinds of automations you can set up with this four-pack of Matter-compatible smart plugs at just $25. #affiliate
A new retention messaging system available to app developers when users cancel subscriptions sounds horrible at first glance, but seems kinda reasonable — and maybe not so bad when you read the details.
I had no idea, but most HDMI cables can’t be longer than about 10 feet. If you need to beam audio and video further than that, these wireless HDMI adapters performed great in our hands-on testing. See the review.
Don’t miss the top X post below: It’s LOL, in a tragicomic way.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Reviewers feel meh about MacBook Pro's touchscreen, love the OLED display

Early reviews of the latest MacBook Pro gush with praise for the active OLED display, but are more muted about the touchscreen.

MacBook Pro PROLED XDR vs. Studio Display XDR: The laptop levels up

The MacBook Pro’s new OLED touchscreen raises the bar, but the Studio Display XDR still has size on its side.

HomeView anti-spoofing gives face fakers just three strikes

This should prevent siblings from spying on each other.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Download movies and TV shows from most major streaming platforms for life

Grab movies and shows from Netflix, Prime Video and 1,000+ other sites with SameMovie. A lifetime license to the video downloader is on sale.

New retention messages let apps plead when users cancel subscriptions

The App Store messages give developers one last shot to change customers' minds.

Apple tightens the purse strings on employee AI use

Apple cut some engineers’ daily AI budgets from $300 to $200 in October and is weighing deeper cuts even as it expands its use of AI at work.

^{A message from}^{the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Score a lifetime license to PDF Expert for Mac

PDF Expert will streamline your PDF editing and management. Get a lifetime subscription to this PDF editor for Mac at a deep discount.

‘Crossy Road Rush’ brings a fast-paced new adventure to iPhone

The new game boasts 50+ levels of challenging obstacles to zoom through, along with boss battles, Survival Mode and multiplayer fun.

Today in Apple history: Fortune names Steve Jobs 'CEO of the decade'

On November 5, 2009, the business magazine named Steve Jobs CEO of the decade after a brilliant 10 years at Apple and Pixar.

New 4K wireless video adapter makes HDMI cables rubbish [Review]

Freeing yourself from HDMI cables doesn't have to mean giving up 4K. We go hands-on with the Nyrius Phoenix Prime 4K30 wireless video adapter.

Cult of Mac’s buyback program

We pay top dollar for used Apple gear

Sell your old iPhone, iPad, MacBook and more through Cult of Mac. Free shipping, fast payment!

^{A message from 1440 Media}

Ready to break up with cable news?

It started with the fear. Then the panic. Then you realized they needed you outraged more than informed.

Meet 1440’s Daily Digest: one daily newsletter covering 100+ sources, edited by hand. No algorithms. By humans. Just the facts, in a five-minute read. It's free, and 4+ million readers already start their day with it.

Join 1440 for free

Tweets of the day

Wallpaper of the day

One more thing ...

❝

I always understood the beauty of things made by hand. I came to realize that what was really important was the care that was put into it.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

How's the new Siri working out for you?

Results from yesterday’s poll

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.