Don't hold your breath for that foldable, all-screen MacBook

Apple's foldable MacBook that turns into a gigantic display probably won't happen soon.
 By 
Stan Schroeder
 on 
Apple logo MacBook
The delay is reportedly due to "technical challenges." Credit: Anadolu/Getty Images

Wishing Apple would do something a bit more adventurous? A MacBook, perhaps, that's all screen and can be turned into a giant, 18.8-inch display? We've got bad news for you: It probably won't happen very soon.

This is according to Apple expert Ming-Chi Kuo, who claims that the device launch was pushed back from the first half of 2026 to the end of 2027 or even 2028.

This is so far in the future that it makes one wonder whether such a gadget will ever happen. But Kuo does have some info about the device that makes it sound like Apple is indeed working on it. For example, he claims that Apple has given up on a larger, 20.25-inch design, and settled on an 18.8-inch display size. He also said that this latest delay was due to "technical challenges with the display and mechanical."


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We've heard many reports about a foldable iPad and/or a foldable MacBook (these two might be the same device, in fact) being in the works over the years. A report from The Information in February claimed that Apple is working on several foldable devices, including a foldable iPad and a foldable iPhone. In March, Kuo said that the device is "expected to enter mass production in 2027." And analyst Jeff Pu said in May that a 20.3-inch foldable hybrid device will enter mass production in late 2025.

As for the device's specs beyond the display size, very little is known at this point. It would essentially be a giant touchscreen when unfolded (think a very large iPad or a touchscreen monitor), and a laptop when partially folded, with the bottom part of the display being used as a keyboard. Such laptops do exist – Lenovo in particular tried its hand at creating something like that – but they haven't gained significant traction.

If this latest report is accurate, then all of the previous rumors were overly optimistic. The foldable iPad/MacBook hybrid might have its moment one day, but this moment may take three years or more to arrive.

Topics Apple

Stan Schroeder
Stan Schroeder
Senior Editor

Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He's got more battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts than you. He writes about the next groundbreaking thing. Typically, this is a phone, a coin, or a car. His ultimate goal is to know something about everything.

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