Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has quashed rumors that a full-on touch screen Mac computer, could be on its way. Senior vice president, Craig Federighi made the remarks in response to reports they have had designs for touchscreen computers for over a decade.
Mac Touchscreen Designs
Apple has had touchscreen computer designs since the days of Steve Jobs according to Tony Fadell, credited for helping in the development of the iPod. The former Apple employee claims that the designs included prototypes for MacBook Pro and a Multi-Touch MacBook Pro.
“The touchscreen MacBook project was basically trying to get touchscreen technology into a Mac to try to compete with Microsoft tablets,” said Mr. Fadell.
The designs came into being on Steve Jobs becoming disgruntled by Microsoft tablets, and wanted to show them how to do it right. The project never saw the light of day after it became clear that so much software and apps would be needed to make the touch screen computers fully operational.
Apple Stance On Touchscreen Macs
Rumors are rife that Apple plans to launch a new product to shake the industry. However, it appears it won’t be a touchscreen MacBook according to Apple senior vice president.
“We don’t think it’s the right interface, honestly,” he said. “Mac is sort of a sit-down experience. We’ve really focused on building the best trackpads we can, something where it feels [like] your postures relaxed,” said Mr. Federighi.
The sentiments are sure to elicit mixed reaction from Mac loyalists who feel Apple is lagging behind as the likes of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) continue to call the shots with one of a kind tablets. The software giant Surface line remains the talk of town having emerged as a formidable rival to the Mac product line.
Apple stock was up by 1.46% in Wednesday’s trading session to end the day at $145.83 a share.
Apple has since launched iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3 devices as it tries to shrug off the threat posed by Microsoft. The iPhone maker has also launched a high definition Retina 5K display iMac and an updated Mac Minicomputer.