Apple’s new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is the biggest change to the MacBook Pro in years, and it comes with a plethora of questions. Does the new MacBook have a touchscreen? Does it work with Apple Pencil, have Face ID, or still come with an SD card slot?
We’ve compiled all the important questions that you might have about the new machine and answered them, including how it compares to the regular MacBook Pro that’s still on sale.
Does the new MacBook Pro have a touch screen?
Yes, but only the new MacBook Pro with a PROLED XDR Display. The regular M5 Pro, M5 Max, and M6 MacBook Pro models with a mini-LED display don’t have it.
Touch on the redesigned MacBook Pro works alongside the keyboard and trackpad, giving you the ability to scroll, pinch to zoom, drag, and flick windows into place. macOS turns touches into clicks, so most apps work straight away.
Apple also redesigned the hinge of the MacBook Pro so the screen stays steady when you tap it and doesn’t wobble.
Does the touchscreen MacBook Pro work with Apple Pencil?
No, the touchscreen on the PROLED XDR MacBook Pro is finger-only. Apple Pencil isn’t mentioned in Apple’s announcement on stage, nor is there any reference to it in the product’s tech specs.
Even though the iPhone Duo just received Apple Pencil support with iOS 27.2, it wouldn’t be wrong to presume that the company could implement the same with the MacBook, but nothing as of yet is reported, rumored, or leaked.
If you want to use Apple Pencil with a Mac, Sidecar is the only option for now.
Does the new MacBook Pro have Face ID?
No, the MacBook Pro still uses Touch ID built into the power button on the keyboard. The notch is gone, and the Dynamic Island adds a hefty amount of new functionality, but there’s no Face ID hardware behind the display, just a FaceTime camera.
The Dynamic Island handles Spotlight, Live Activities, Siri, and calls for convenience, giving the MacBook Pro more personality along the way.
Does the new MacBook Pro still have the Touch Bar?
No, Apple removed the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro when it redesigned it in 2021. You get a full row of physical function keys instead, which some users wanted more than the touch-based customizable screen above the keyboard.
Basically, the touchscreen is what the Touch Bar was trying to be. However, both serve different functions, and I liked it, even though some users didn’t. It made the Mac different, it could be customized, some features were easier to get to, and I would take it back any day over the physical buttons. Unpopular opinion, but that’s just me.
Does the new MacBook Pro have an SD card slot and HDMI?
Yes, both. It comes with a full-size SDXC card slot and an HDMI port. You also get three Thunderbolt 5 ports, MagSafe for charging, and a headphone jack.
The regular model with a mini-LED display also has the same ports, so this isn’t a reason to pick one over the other.
Does the new MacBook Pro have USB-A ports?
No. The ports are all USB-C, as Thunderbolt 5. Older accessories with the rectangular USB-A plug will need an adapter or a dock of some kind.
Thunderbolt 5 is much faster and drives external displays, up to three with the M5 Pro chip variant and up to four with the M5 Max. You get this configuration on both the mini-LED and the PROLED XDR version.
Does the Apple logo light up on the new MacBook Pro?
Yes. The glowing Apple logo is back on the lid for the first time since 2016, and we’re glad that it has made a comeback. It wouldn’t be wrong to presume that the company could bring the same glowing Apple logo to the MacBook Air lineup.
We’re glowing with excitement over the new MacBook Pro. You’ve gotta touch it to believe it. pic.twitter.com/BLiGkGaefL
— John Ternus (@johnternus) October 28, 2026
Note that only the new PROLED XDR MacBook Pro has it, and the regular models don’t. Since OLED has no backlight, Apple uses a different approach to light up the logo, unlike the previous models with an LCD display.
Does the new MacBook Pro have a backlit keyboard?
Yes, every MacBook Pro model has a backlit keyboard that adjusts to the light in the room. It’s the same as Apple’s Magic Keyboard, with Touch ID and full-height function keys. You can change the brightness or turn off the backlight in Control Center.
Does the new MacBook Pro have a fan?
Yes, the MacBook Pro has fans, unlike the fanless MacBook Air. However, the thermal design of the PROLED XDR model is different from that of the regular mini-LED version. The redesigned cooling system keeps the same performance in a thinner body and pushes warm air away from the OLED display.
Apple says that the sustained performance is unchanged, but we will wait for the reviews if you render or export for hours at a time.
Does the new MacBook Pro come with a charger?
In the US, yes. You get a 70W adapter with the 14-inch M5 Pro with a 15-core CPU, a 96W adapter with the 14-inch M5 Pro with an 18-core CPU or M5 Max, and a 140W adapter with every 16-inch model.
In the UK and EU, though, the story is different. Apple sells the power adapter separately, and the box only has the 2m USB-C to MagSafe 3 cable. It charges through MagSafe or any Thunderbolt 5 port, and fast charges to 50 percent in just 30 minutes with a powerful enough adapter.
When does the new MacBook Pro come out, and how much is it?
The new PROLED XDR MacBook Pro ships on Friday, November 6. Preorders are open now in 30 countries and regions. The price for each model is as follows:
- 14-inch with M5 Pro: $2,899
- 16-inch with M5 Pro: $3,399
- 14-inch with M5 Max: $4,499
- 16-inch with M5 Max: $4,799
If there are any further questions, you can email us and we’ll get right to it.
