Magic Screen turns your MacBook into a touchscreen: here's how the new accessory works

For years, many Mac users have dreamed of being able to touch your MacBook screen as if it were an iPadApple has historically argued that this type of interaction is not comfortable on a traditional laptop, and has avoided the idea even as Windows laptops embraced touchscreens.

Now, before the hypothetical official touchscreen MacBook arrives, a startup proposes an alternative solution: Magic Screen, an accessory that turns the screen into a touchscreen. MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon using a magnetic sheet and a simple USB-C cable. The device has been seen in the CES of Las Vegas and is preparing to launch a Kickstarter campaign.

What is Magic Screen and how does it turn your MacBook into a touchscreen?

Magic Screen is a touch digitizer in the form of a tempered glass sheet which overlaps the MacBook's screen. The piece aligns using magnets built into the laptop itself, the same ones the Mac uses to detect when the lid is closed and activate sleep mode, so it fits securely without the need for adhesives or additional supports.

Once in place, the sheet connects to the computer via a single USB-C portFrom there, it acts as an intermediary layer capable of registering touches and gestures and sending them to the system, allowing macOS to be used as if it were a touch device. According to Intricuit, the company responsible for the product, the accessory is recognized in a basic way without complex configuration and Advanced features can be added through a dedicated application.

The company claims that the screen maintains over 99% transparencyso the MacBook's screen image quality is barely affected. It also includes a protective film that helps safeguard the original screen from bumps or scratches while the accessory is attached.

One practical detail is that Magic Screen is designed to prevent the The MacBook lid closes completely when the sheet is mountedThe system limits the closing angle to reduce the risk of excessive pressure or damage to the hinge, which is important for those who plan to leave the accessory on for long work sessions.

Touch gestures, everyday uses, and app compatibility

The goal of Magic Screen is to bring the interaction we have on our mobile phones or tablets to our laptops. Intricuit explains that the screen allows tap, swipe, drag and zoom directly with your fingers on the MacBook screen, without relying on the trackpad for many everyday tasks.

In practice, this means that it is possible scrolling through web pageszoom in on photos, navigate through documents, or activate interface elements with a single tap. The company claims it also recognizes more complex gestures, such as the multi-finger pinch gesture to launch macOS Launchpad or control certain system functions, bringing the experience closer to that of a native touch device.

In the realm of leisure, the accessory works with "point and click" type games such as Disco Elysiumwhere it's possible to select objects or move the character by directly tapping the desired location. It's not a solution specifically geared towards gamingBut it opens the door to more natural ways of playing in compatible titles.

Another striking aspect is its integration with iPhone MirroringThe feature that allows you to view and control your iPhone from your Mac. Although this feature is not yet available in the European Union, Intricuit maintains that, when used in supported regions, Magic Screen will allow you to interact with iOS apps mirrored on your laptop screen as if it were a giant iPhone, by touching icons, typing, and making gestures directly on the panel.

During demonstrations at CES, the company showcased the accessory in action with applications such as SketchUp, Miro or Resolume, geared towards design, collaboration, and content creation. According to Intricuit, the touch response is precise enough for fine-line drawing and manipulating elements on the canvas.

The digital pen and standalone drawing tablet mode

In addition to finger gestures, Magic Screen includes his own digital stylusThis stylus offers pressure sensitivity and motion detection, making it suitable for drawing, photo retouching, handwritten annotations, or 3D modelingwhere accuracy is often key.

Intricuit claims that the pencil can reach 100 hours of autonomy on a single chargeThis ambitious figure, if confirmed in real-world use, would allow for weeks of work without worrying about plugging it in. It also supports the "hover" function, meaning the Mac recognizes the stylus's position as it passes near the surface without touching it, making it easier to select tools, preview strokes, or work with greater precision.

The system integrates with the standard USI for digital pensTherefore, it should be possible to use other certified styluses that adhere to this specification. For those who already have compatible hardware, this opens the door to reusing existing equipment instead of relying solely on the included stylus.

An interesting detail is that the Magic Screen itself can function as standalone drawing tablet when not attached to the MacBookThe company offers a case or stand that magnetically attaches to the back of the laptop screen and helps stabilize the drawing pad when used for drawing. When removed, the accessory becomes a work surface that can be placed on a table and used as a connected graphics tablet.

This dual use makes it a relatively economical and less bulky alternative to dedicated graphics tablets or even compared to using an iPad for creative tasks, always within the logical limitations of a device of this type.

Compatible models, limitations, and questions to be resolved

Regarding compatibility, Intricuit indicates that Magic Screen is designed for 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with M2 chip or lateras well as for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 chip and laterThat is, essentially the models with Apple Silicon and with the characteristic notch at the top of the screen.

For now, the company does not plan to offer support for MacBooks with Intel processors or older modelsThis may exclude a considerable user base in Europe, where many older generation devices are still in use, but it simplifies the design by focusing on recent screen sizes and formats.

Despite the promises, important technical questions remain unanswered. Intricuit has not provided precise details. What technology does the sheet use to capture tactile interaction?, how the system is calibrated, or what real impact it can have on the brightness, contrast, or color fidelity of the MacBook's original panel.

It's also not entirely clear, beyond the demos, how it will perform in professional color-critical environments or under prolonged use, or whether the system will add anything of noticeable latency when moving the cursor with fingers or stylusAnother point that raises doubts is ergonomic comfort: Apple has always argued that constantly raising your arm towards the screen can be tiring, and it remains to be seen how Magic Screen fits into the daily lives of those who work many hours in front of a laptop.

In any case, Intricuit presents the accessory as an intermediate solution designed primarily for those who need occasional touch, occasional drawing, or greater naturalness in certain applications, rather than as a complete replacement for the MacBook mouse or trackpad.

Price, Kickstarter launch, and availability

Magic Screen is not yet sold through traditional channels. The company plans fund the product through a Kickstarter campaign which, according to their statements, will be launched "soon", without a firm date at the time of writing this article.

The announced entry price for the first sponsors will be $139which, taking the current change as a reference, could be placed around about 120 euros If it does eventually officially arrive in Europe, pending taxes, import duties, and possible variations depending on the country. Intricuit mentions an initial shipment in the first quarter of 2026 and, in other materials, deliveries before the end of March, although the specific schedule will still depend on the success of the campaign and the production process.

As with any crowdfunding project, it's worth remembering that Kickstarter deadlines are not always met to the letter Design changes or technical adjustments may occur before the product reaches the first buyers. In Europe, additional shipping, customs, and warranty costs must also be considered.

Despite these unknowns, the price positioning places Magic Screen as a less expensive option than completely replacing the laptop solely for touch functionality. For those already using a MacBook Air or Pro with relatively recent Apple Silicon, this can be a way to expand its capabilities without switching to another ecosystem.

The context: Apple, touchscreens, and future MacBooks

The launch of Magic Screen comes at a time when rumors about the first MacBook Pro with touchscreen and OLED panel They're gaining momentum again. Analysts like Ming-Chi Kuo and regular Apple leakers suggest that the company is preparing laptops that combine the image quality of OLED technology with a touch system integrated directly into the panel.

According to these reports, Apple could opt for a "in-cell" touch technologyIn this technology, the sensors are integrated into the top layer of the screen instead of adding an extra layer like Magic Screen. This approach, common in smartphones and some tablets, would allow for reduced thickness and improved responsiveness, while maintaining panel quality.

The timeframes being considered place the first MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen between the end of 2026 and the beginning of 2027. If confirmed, it would be a major shift in Apple's strategy, which for years has championed a clear separation between the iPad's touch experience and the traditional use of a keyboard and trackpad on the Mac.

Behind this possible change of course would be the realization that, In certain productivity and creativity scenarios, touch can enhance the user experienceThe behavior of iPad users would have served as a laboratory to observe when a touch control provides real value and when it can hinder the workflow.

Until that future arrives, third-party accessories like Magic Screen are trying to fill the gap for those who They don't want to wait for a new generation of hardwareOr perhaps they simply don't plan to change their laptop in the short term but do see the benefit of adding a touch layer to their current computer.

Based on everything that is known so far, Magic Screen is shaping up to be an intriguing proposition for MacBook Air and Pro users. with Apple Silicon that they miss a touch-sensitive mode for navigating, drawing, or working with creative applicationsPending thorough testing of its comfort, its real impact on image quality and system accuracy, the accessory appears as a compromise solution between the traditional world of laptops and the increasingly widespread realm of touchscreens, especially interesting in Europe for those who want to get a few more years out of their Mac without giving up new forms of interaction.

Related article:

Apple is preparing a MacBook Pro with a touchscreen: here's what we know

Alberto Navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.