Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro has introduced a new way to interact with the company’s laptops, but the feature has also raised a familiar concern: fingerprints on the screen.
In a commentary published by CNET on October 28, senior writer Jeff Carlson questioned whether the convenience of tapping and swiping directly on the MacBook Pro display would outweigh the inconvenience of keeping it clean.
Unlike previous MacBook models, the new device allows users to interact with the screen much like they would with an iPhone or iPad. However, Carlson argued that even routine laptop use can leave oily marks on the display.
Why fingerprints could become a problem
Carlson explained that skin oils accumulate on laptop keyboards during normal use. When the lid is closed, residue from the keys can transfer onto the glass, leaving visible marks on the display.
Direct touchscreen use could add to the problem, particularly for people who frequently tap, swipe or pinch the screen to navigate applications.
The new MacBook Pro features an oleophobic coating, a surface treatment designed to reduce fingerprint marks, similar to those used on Apple’s other touchscreen devices. However, Carlson said its effectiveness on the larger PROLED XDR display remains to be tested.
He also pointed out that Apple’s $9 polishing cloth is sold separately rather than included with the laptop.
A premium display with a cleaning trade-off
The touchscreen MacBook Pro’s display is among its headline features. Apple says it offers peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits, while OLED technology delivers deep blacks and vibrant colours.
For photographers and other creative professionals, the display’s image quality could be a major attraction. But fingerprints may become an annoyance when examining photographs or editing images, where marks on the glass could be mistaken for dust or imperfections in the picture.
Carlson, who works as a photographer, said screen smudges could complicate tasks that require close visual inspection.
The question, he suggested, is whether the added convenience of touchscreen controls justifies the extra cleaning that direct contact may require.
Will Mac users embrace touchscreens?
Apple’s move towards touchscreen laptops follows years of resistance to the idea. The company previously experimented with touch-based controls through the MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar, which was eventually discontinued.
However, smartphones and tablets have made tapping, swiping and pinching familiar gestures for many users.
A touchscreen could offer practical benefits when zooming into maps, dismissing notifications or interacting with creative software. Yet users who prefer a keyboard and trackpad may see little reason to touch the display directly.
Carlson acknowledged that users could continue operating the new MacBook Pro without touching its screen. However, he questioned the appeal of paying for a feature they might rarely use, particularly when touchscreen functionality is bundled with the new OLED display.
