Evan Brooks
Tired of Apple's cautious approach? Have you been envisioning a groundbreaking MacBook that transforms into a massive 18.8-inch touchscreen display? Unfortunately, it appears that this pioneering device won't be hitting the market anytime soon.
According to esteemed Apple insider Ming-Chi Kuo, the launch of this futuristic gadget has been postponed from the first half of 2026 to the latter half of 2027 or even 2028. This extended timeline raises doubts about whether such a product will ever see the light of day.
However, Kuo's insights suggest that Apple is indeed working on the device. For instance, he claims that the company has abandoned its initial plan for a larger 20.25-inch design, opting instead for an 18.8-inch display. The latest delay, he attributes to “technical challenges with the display and mechanical components.”
Rumors of a foldable iPad and/or MacBook have been circulating for years, with some speculating that these two devices might be one and the same. A report by The Information in February hinted at Apple's development of multiple foldable devices, including a foldable iPad and iPhone. In March, Kuo predicted that the device would enter mass production in 2027. Meanwhile, analyst Jeff Pu claimed in May that a 20.3-inch foldable hybrid device would start mass production in late 2025.
As for the device's specifications beyond its display size, details remain scarce. Essentially, it would function as a massive touchscreen when unfolded, similar to a large iPad or touchscreen monitor, and as a laptop when partially folded, with the lower section of the display serving as a keyboard. Although such laptops exist – Lenovo, for example, has experimented with this concept – they have yet to gain significant traction.
If this latest report proves accurate, then all previous rumors were overly optimistic. The foldable iPad/MacBook hybrid may have its moment in the future, but that moment may be three years or more away.
