Apple’s long-rumored foldable MacBook is inching closer to reality, with reports suggesting a 2026 or 2027 release. If true, it would mark one of the biggest design shifts in Mac history, potentially blurring the lines between the MacBook and iPad. But while the idea of a Mac that folds sounds futuristic, it raises some big questions. Will it redefine portable computing, or will it just be a super-sized iPad with a keyboard?
Earlier last week we reported on a supply-chain whistleblower leaking details of prominent Apple suppliers working hard on developing hardware for a potential folding iPhone that could launch in 2026. The information also stated that the folding iPhone would merely be a precursor to a larger folding device, which would put Apple on the same level playing field as innovators like Lenovo and their ‘rolling display’ laptop which they showcased at CES 2025.
What Would a Foldable MacBook Even Look Like?
MacBook Folio Concept by Antonio De Rosa
Early leaks point to a 20-inch display, making it the largest foldable device Apple has ever developed. If we follow Apple’s design logic, this wouldn’t just be a laptop with a hinge—it would be a full-screen device, possibly with an on-screen keyboard like Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold. But that brings up an issue: Apple has spent years perfecting the MacBook’s trackpad and keyboard. Would it really abandon them in favor of a software-based alternative?
There’s also the question of performance. If this MacBook launches in 2026, it would likely run on an M6 or even an M7 chip, ensuring it stays ahead of the curve in power efficiency and AI-driven workflows. But cooling could be a challenge. MacBooks already push the limits of fanless designs, and a foldable form factor could make thermal management even trickier. Apple would need to strike a balance between thinness and performance, something it has struggled with in the past (remember the 12-inch MacBook?).
A Touch Bar Revival? Apple Pencil Support?
A foldable MacBook would give Apple an opportunity to rethink how users interact with their devices. The Touch Bar, which Apple quietly phased out, might make a comeback in a different form—maybe as a secondary interface built into the foldable screen. And with a design that mimics an iPad when fully open, Apple Pencil support suddenly seems like a no-brainer. If this device is meant to replace both a MacBook and an iPad Pro, incorporating Apple Pencil functionality would make it a powerful tool for designers and creatives.
Another design possibility? No notch. A foldable display might allow for under-display camera technology, a feature Apple has been exploring for years. Without the traditional MacBook bezel, a full-screen experience would finally be possible—something Apple has yet to achieve with its laptops.
MacOS vs. iPadOS: The Real Battle
If Apple introduces a foldable MacBook, it has to address the elephant in the room: what happens to the iPad Pro? A large touchscreen Mac running macOS would put iPadOS in a tough spot. For years, Apple has tried to keep macOS and iPadOS separate, but this device could force a change. Would macOS get a more touch-friendly interface? Or would Apple try to make iPadOS more desktop-like?
If Apple’s vision for foldables is a device that replaces both the iPad Pro and MacBook, it could mean an eventual merger of the two operating systems. That would be a massive shift for Apple, whose entire product lineup relies on clear distinctions between Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
A Revolutionary MacBook or Just an Expensive Experiment?
A foldable MacBook would undoubtedly push Apple into new territory, but it comes with risks. At a rumored 20 inches, it wouldn’t be as portable as current MacBooks, and the price would likely be astronomical. If it’s just a MacBook with a flexible screen, it may struggle to justify its existence beyond being a futuristic showcase. But if Apple finds a way to seamlessly blend the Mac and iPad experience, this could be the beginning of a new category of devices.
The real question is whether Apple is willing to disrupt its own product lineup to make it happen.
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