Apple’s Touchscreen MacBook Could Benefit from Lenovo’s Design Insights

The long-anticipated touchscreen MacBook might finally be unveiled next week, and after testing the Lenovo Yoga 9n with Nvidia’s RTX Spark platform, I can’t help but think it embodies many features I’d love to see in a touchscreen MacBook.

Similar to the Apple silicon found in the latest MacBook Pros, RTX Spark is an Arm-based processor that boasts a powerful integrated GPU and ample unified memory. The Yoga stands out as the most enjoyable RTX Spark laptop to date, thanks to its 16-inch 2-in-1 convertible design and included stylus. While other Nvidia-powered laptops also feature touchscreens, they typically stick to the traditional clamshell format.

The Lenovo Yoga excels in its versatility: it functions as a clamshell laptop, and its hinge can fold all the way back for tent and tablet modes. In tablet mode, you can easily switch between landscape and portrait orientations, making it perfect for watching movies, gaming with a controller, or integrating it into a multi-monitor setup with a keyboard and mouse.

The Yoga 9n comes with a stylus that’s great for note-taking and drawing on its stunning OLED display. You can also use it on the haptic trackpad for a Wacom-like experience, keeping your hand out of the way of the screen. The stylus is magnetic, allowing it to attach to the Yoga’s lid, whether on its own or while in its case. I particularly enjoy using the stylus for photo editing in Lightroom Classic or Photoshop. It’s been ages since I used a stylus for that kind of work, and having one that works on both the screen and trackpad is incredibly handy.

I anticipate that a touchscreen MacBook Pro would support the Apple Pencil, which would definitely encourage me to use a stylus for retouching again. I also hope, like the Lenovo, it would work on the trackpad as well—more options are always better. If a touch-enabled MacBook supports the Apple Pencil, I’d love for it to attach to the laptop for convenience and wireless charging, similar to the iPad Pro. While Lenovo’s stylus charges via USB-C, it’s not as convenient as having it always charged and ready while attached to the laptop.

I don’t expect Apple to simply create a standard convertible laptop after all this time. Just joining the ranks of Windows manufacturers with a 2-in-1 or swapping the MacBook Pro’s Mini LED for a touchscreen OLED wouldn’t feel very Apple-like. I’m hoping for something innovative, perhaps Apple’s own version of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, which cleverly brings the touchscreen forward instead of flipping it back, or something entirely new. There are indications in macOS 27 that Apple is working on updates to make touch functions feel more intuitive, rather than just poking at elements designed for a mouse cursor. While I find 2-in-1 Windows laptops and Chromebooks fun, using those desktop operating systems with a finger or stylus can be cumbersome.

My expectations are high for Apple to impress us, especially since this touchscreen MacBook Pro is likely to come with a hefty price tag. Apple’s recent design choices haven’t been without their flaws. The HomeView’s lack of apps is puzzling, and the iPhone Duo feels a bit chaotic. Current MacBooks are fantastic, making it easy to forget the butterfly keyboard debacle wasn’t too long ago. After all this time without a touchscreen MacBook, Apple needs to ensure it’s worth the wait.