AMD has shared some technical details on the new Radeon Pro graphics cards included in the 15-inch MacBook Pro models, giving some insight into their performance and the differences between the three options.
The Radeon Pro 400 Series Graphics are built on AMD's Polaris architecture and are fabricated using the 14nm FinFET process to achieve high performance without sacrificing power efficiency. They offer memory bandwidth of up to 80GB/s.
The Radeon Pro Graphics found in the MacBook Pro feature the latest Polaris architecture with 4th generation Graphics Core Next. Speed through your tasks with up to 16 compute units (1024 stream processors) and 1.86 Teraflops of horsepower. Radeon Pro Graphics on the MacBook accelerate workloads normally reserved for the main processor. It features versatile asynchronous compute, updated shader engines, enhanced memory compression and new geometry capabilities in a compact and efficient package.
The Radeon Pro 460, available as a $200 upgrade in the entry-level 15-inch MacBook Pro and a $100 upgrade in the higher-end 15-inch MacBook Pro, offers 1.86 Teraflops of horsepower and 16 compute units (1024 stream processors).
The Radeon Pro 455, the default option in the higher-end 15-inch MacBook Pro, features 1.3 Teraflops of horsepower and 12 compute units (768 stream processors). The Radeon Pro 450, available in the entry-level 15-inch MacBook Pro as the default option, offers 1 Teraflop of horsepower and 10 compute units (640 stream processors).
According to AMD, the Radeon Pro graphics processors inside the MacBook Pro are thinner than a US penny with a Z-height of 1.5mm but still pack in 3 billion transistors. The Radeon Pro features "advanced power technology" to allow the MacBook Pro to stay cool and quiet even during demanding tasks.
On its MacBook Pro website, Apple says the 15-inch MacBook Pro offers up to 130 percent faster graphics performance (with the Radeon 460) and up to 2.5x more computing power per watt compared to the previous-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro uses integrated graphics instead of discrete graphics, but Apple says the Iris Graphics 550 are up to 103 percent faster than the Iris Graphics 6100 in the previous-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro.
The new MacBook Pro has only been available for purchase for about six hours, but shipping estimates on the machine have already slipped from two to three weeks to three to four weeks, meaning orders placed now won’t deliver until late November or early December (November 25 to December 2).
Three to four week shipping estimates apply to all MacBook Pro models that have a Touch Bar and Touch ID support. At launch, those machines had shipping estimates of two to three weeks and delivery windows from November 17 to November 25. Supplies are likely to continue to dwindle as people place orders for the updated MacBook Pro models.
The new entry-level MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar continues to be available for delivery as soon as October 31 using the fastest shipping method. Apple Store pickup is not yet available for any of the MacBook Pro options, but the standard MacBook Pro should be in stores soon.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with no Touch Bar is priced at $1,499, while 13-inch Touch Bar models start at $1,799. 15-inch models, which all include a Touch Bar, start at $2,399.
Apple is also continuing to sell 2015 MacBook Pro models, which are available at prices starting at $1,299.
Shortly after Apple's October 2016 event, where the company debuted the new 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, Microsoft launched a new promotion aiming to convert unsatisfied MacBook owners to either the Surface Book or Surface Pro 4.
Today, we are announcing a limited-time “trade up” offer to invite more people to experience Surface. If you have a Mac but want to experience the ultimate laptop with on-screen touch, Surface and Microsoft Store are here for you. Starting today, anyone in the U.S. can trade in their MacBook Pro or MacBook Air at a Microsoft Store or online for up to $650 off a Surface Book or Surface Pro.
Microsoft has also launched a website dedicated to letting users appraise their old MacBooks, listing a total of 117 different configurations of eligible MacBooks, MacBook Airs, and MacBook Pros. The range of eligible models goes back to the 2006 MacBook and MacBook Pros.
To be eligible for credit, the MacBook in question must not have a screen with any cracks or dead pixels. The housing must be intact and free of etchings, asset tags, or cracks. The computer must be able to power on and boot all the way to the desktop and all keyboard keys and functions must properly work. Additionally, Microsoft requires that users trade in the computer's charger.
The trade-in offer is good at Microsoft Stores in the U.S. and on Microsoft's website until November 10, 2016. The Surface Pro 4 tablet starts at $899 while the Surface Book starts at $1,499.
Microsoft yesterday announced the new Surface Book with Performance Base. The new hybrid laptop comes with an Intel Core i7 Processor that doubles performance over last year's model and includes 16 hours of battery life. The new Surface Book goes on sale November 10 and starts at $2,399.
Following the launch of the redesigned MacBook Pro, CNET has published an interview with Apple executives Phil Schiller, Jony Ive, and Craig Federighi, highlighting some of the design decisions that went into the new machine.
The contextual OLED Touch Bar on the new MacBook Pro, which is its key feature, has been in development under the direction of Jony Ive for at least two years, and according to Ive, it "marks a beginning" of a "very interesting direction" for future products.
Apple's new MacBook took so long to develop because the company didn't want to "just create a speed bump," aiming instead for something that's a "big, big step forward." Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller says the MacBook Pro will allow Apple to "create many things to come," some of which "we can't envision yet." He also said Apple isn't driven by a calendar, but is instead aiming to create "new innovations" in the Mac line.
Many customers are unhappy with the high price of the new MacBook Pro models, something Schiller addressed in the interview. An entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar costs $1,799, a full $500 more than previous-generation models, and 15-inch models start at $2,399. Schiller says Apple cares about price, but has to design for experience rather than cost.
Affordability is "absolutely something we care about," Schiller says. "But we don't design for price, we design for the experience and the quality people expect from Mac. Sometimes that means we end up at the higher end of the range, but not on purpose, just because that's what it costs."
The MacBook Pro's Touch Bar doesn't signal a future move into touchscreen Macs, something the Apple executives made clear. A Mac with a touchscreen isn't "particularly useful," Ive said, while Schiller said Apple investigated the possibility of converging iOS and Mac devices but decided against it.
"We did spend a great deal of time looking at this a number of years ago and came to the conclusion that to make the best personal computer, you can't try to turn MacOS into an iPhone," Schiller says. "Conversely, you can't turn iOS into a Mac.... So each one is best at what they're meant to be -- and we take what makes sense to add from each, but without fundamentally changing them so they're compromised."
Both Federighi and Schiller believe the laptop is a form factor that's going to be around for a long time. "As far as our eyes can see, there will still be a place for this basic laptop architecture," Schiller said, pointing out that it's been useful for the past 25 years.
Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro model with no Touch Bar is available for purchase starting today and will deliver in just a few days. The new 13 and 15-inch models that do include Touch Bars are available for order, but won't ship until mid-to-late November.
Along with a Touch Bar, Apple's new MacBook Pros feature upgraded processors, new graphics capabilities, improved displays, faster SSDs, Thunderbolt 3 support, and 10 hour battery life.
CNET's full interview, which also focuses on the history of the Mac notebook lineup, is well worth checking out.
Belkin today announced the launch of its Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD, which is designed to work with the USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports on Apple's new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro machines.
Created to be a "complete single-cable docking solution," the Express Dock HD features 40Gb/s data transfer speeds, 85 watts of power delivery for charging, and support for a single 5K monitor or two 4K monitors.
"Belkin has a long-standing history of designing complementary peripherals and accessories for the industry's most innovative hardware products, such as the all-new MacBook Pro," said Steve Malony, vice president and general manager, Belkin. "The new Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock HD and its exceptional single-cable docking solution for notebooks was developed with a deep understanding of consumers' needs for ideal connectivity solutions."
The Express Dock includes Two Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, three USB-A ports, one DisplayPort, a Gigabit Ethernet port, an Audio In/Out port, and a second Audio Out port. Up to five Thunderbolt devices can be daisy-chained from the dock and it includes a 170W power adapter to supply power to attached peripherals while also charging a MacBook Pro.
Belkin is also introducing a USB-C to HDMI adapter and two Thunderbolt 3 cables in 0.5 ($29.95) and 2m ($69.95) sizes. Pricing on the Express Dock and the adapter has not yet been announced.
Belkin's Thunderbolt 3 Express Dock and USB-C to HDMI Adapter will be available soon from the Belkin website and from Apple.com. The Thunderbolt 3 cables are already available from both Belkin and Apple.
Apple hosted its "Hello Again" Mac event this morning, where it debuted a newly redesigned MacBook Pro with an integrated "Touch Bar" panel that supports multi-touch and a range of gestures to unlock new capabilities in apps.
Much of the event was actually spent covering existing features, demoing the Touch Bar, and highlighting Apple TV capabilities, allowing us to condense the full 82 minute presentation into four minutes. If you missed Apple's keynote, our recap is a great way to get caught up without having to invest an hour and a half.
Apple's new MacBook Pro models feature a thinner, lighter body, better battery life, upgraded processors, improved displays, and the aforementioned Touch Bar, but all that innovation comes at a price, which has many customers disappointed. Apple is charging $1,799 in the United States for the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro model with a Touch Bar, and the 15-inch MacBook Pro models start at $2,399.
While the MacBook Pro was the main highlight of the event, Apple also introduced a new Accessibility site, 4K and 5K monitors from LG, a new Apple TV app that serves as a TV guide to help users find what to watch. For a more in-depth look at everything that's new today, make sure to check our full event recap post.
Though the new MacBook Pro models equipped with a Touch Bar won't be in the hands of consumers for at least two more weeks, Apple today updated many of its Mac apps with support for the feature.
In Xcode, the Touch Bar offers up context-specific buttons when in the Xcode editor, commit sheet, navigator, and Interface Builder. The Interface Builder makes it easy for developers to add Touch Bar features to their Mac apps, and the Touch Bar simulator lets them see how their app works with the Touch Bar.
In Numbers, Pages, and Keynote, the Touch Bar can be used to edit text, shapes, tables, and charts, providing quick-access tools depending on what you're working on.
In iMovie, the Touch Bar allows users to quickly add video clips to a movie, or use them to create picture in picture, green screen, and split screen effects. There are also options for using the Touch Bar to play a movie, split a clip, or adjust clip volume.
In GarageBand, the Touch Bar can be used to adjust all Smart Controls on a selected track, adjust volume, or to fine-tune the sound of instruments and effects.
Apple has also released a new version of iTunes, iTunes 12.5.2. The update is not yet available for download and it may be limited to new MacBook Pro models, introducing support for the Touch Bar.
Over the course of the next few weeks, many popular Mac apps from third-party developers will also be updated to support the new Touch Bar in the MacBook Pro. Some apps that will have Touch Bar buttons include Pixelmator, Affinity Photo, Photoshop, Sketch, DaVinci Resolve, Microsoft Office, and more.
Update: iTunes 12.5.2 is now available through Software Update for all compatible devices.
With pre-orders for the new MacBook Pro up today, and a launch expected within the next two to three weeks, Apple has given a number of journalists access to the 13-inch and 15-inch devices so they can share their thoughts with anyone who is interested in the new flagship MacBook Pro line. MacRumors has already rounded up a collection of opinions regarding the newest feature on the MacBook Pro -- the Touch Bar -- so this roundup will be focused on other areas.
Namely, topics covered include the keyboard, trackpad, screen, and overall weight and feel of the device. Opinions on the keyboard appear to differ depending on whether or not the user is acclimated to the 2015 MacBook's Butterfly Enclosure keyboard, but otherwise the new MacBook Pro is getting positive initial reactions to its design, particularly in its ability to pack in powerful specs in such a lightweight enclosure.
Images via Engadget
Many of those who got a chance to touch the new MacBook Pros of course first interacted with the keyboard, and The Verge ended up liking it, while noting that it's essentially the same as the one introduced on the Retina MacBook in 2015, which might cause problems with anyone who hasn't owned one of those MacBooks. It also said that the trackpad is "absolutely massive."
The keyboard is almost identical to the Butterfly keyboard found on the tiny MacBook. That’s going to cause some people to grind their teeth, but I think it’s great and easy to type on — and I do think the keys might have sightly better travel, but don’t hold me to that. In any case, I expect that this will be a sore spot for some people, but my level of sympathy isn't as high as it ought to be, because I think this keyboard is great.
The Trackpad is absolutely massive, so much so that Apple had better make sure it has its palm-rejection software perfect, because your palms are going to be resting on this thing all the time.
Priced at $49, the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter will allow customers who purchased a new MacBook Pro to connect Thunderbolt 2 accessories like hard drives to one of the Thunderbolt 3 ports in the new MacBook Pro.
Because the adapter is bidirectional, it can also be used to connect Thunderbolt 3 devices to a Mac that's equipped with a Thunderbolt or Thunderbolt 2 port.
The new Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter is not yet available in Apple retail stores, but it can be ordered online. Deliveries placed today will ship on November 4 at the earliest using the fastest shipping method.
One of the headline features of Apple's new MacBook Pros is the Touch Bar, a Multi-Touch-enabled strip of glass above the keyboard that provides instant access to tools and commands that change contextually based on the app you are using or system task you are carrying out. It also has Touch ID built in.
Siri and Touch ID (Image: AOL)
The all-new Touch Bar replaces the standard row of function keys on the new MacBook Pros, with system controls like an escape key, power, volume, and brightness still accessible at times. The middle part of the Touch Bar is the Control Strip, which changes automatically based on what you are doing.
Apple provided the media with an opportunity to demo the new Touch Bar following its "Hello Again" event earlier today, and a number of websites have now published early hands-on looks at the new feature. Read ahead for a roundup of Touch Bar first impressions alongside photos of it in action.
Image: Dieter Bohn/The Verge
Dieter Bohn at The Verge noted the Touch Bar has a matte finish, which gives the on-screen controls a little more of a physical feel:
What you might not have gathered from the keynote is that it has a matte finish, which makes the buttons on it somehow feel a little more physical. It’s bright, but not so bright that it distracts — it seems to be about on par with the brightness of the backlit keyboard.
Bohn added that the Touch Bar controls can be rearranged, while you can long-press on buttons to get to functions faster. Tapping and holding on Reply, for example, allows you to slide your finger over to Reply All. There is no haptic feedback when tapping controls, but Bohn said the Touch Bar worked accurately.
Brian Heater at TechCrunch said the Touch Bar is "glossy" but "not quite slick," making it "frictionless enough so as to run a finger across with little effort."
The new Touch Bar is essentially a secondary Retina display that Heater described as "quick and responsive" during his demo:
It’s quick and responsive, reacting to multi-touch and the amount of pressure the user applies. It also adapts quite quickly as you toggle between different apps. It’s a really cool and really versatile new addition – like having a small mobile display embedded directly into the Notebook.
While the Touch Bar is mostly grayscale, it has some color. When using apps such as Messages, for example, you can access a row of frequently used emojis.
Image: Brian Heater/TechCrunch
Michael Gorman at Engadget said Touch ID on the Touch Bar is "considerably faster than typing in a password" to unlock your Mac:
Plus at the right edge of that strip lies a Touch ID sensor, that allows folks to login to their Macs via their fingertips. In the limited time I spent with the new Pro, that sensor worked as it should -- which is to say considerably faster than typing in a password.
Ina Fried at Recode said the Touch Bar "looks like the kind of thing that those who spend all day on a laptop will grow to really love."
After revealing the newest MacBook Pro to everyone today at its "Hello Again" event, Apple has now posted a full video of the presentation on its website, allowing anyone who was too busy to watch it live an easy venue to catch up with the presentation on their own time. As usual, Apple is expected to upload the video to YouTube and iTunes at some point later in the day.
Apple always shares a few commercials during its keynotes as well, and today was no different, with six videos hitting its YouTube channel in the minutes following the event's ending. The videos include a focus on Apple's venture into accessibility, and of course deeper dives into all of the features of the all-new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
In addition to the videos posted online about the MacBook Pro, you can catch up with all of the news out of the Hello Again event by checking out our list of keynote highlights below, which encompass all of MacRumors' event coverage posted today.
Besides plenty of news articles surrounding the MacBook Pro and Touch Bar, as well as the discontinuation of the MacBook Air, there's also pieces about the new "TV" app coming to tvOS and iOS, and gaming-related announcements, like Minecraft launching on the fourth-generation Apple TV.
Apple today released a major update for Final Cut Pro X, its video editing software aimed at professionals. Today's update includes a new look for the software, support for the Touch Bar included in the new MacBook Pro, and a host of other features.
Final Cut Pro X features a revamped interface that's designed to streamline the layout for optimal screen space on the MacBook Pro, plus it includes a darker, flat look for more focus on content. There are customizable workspaces that let users select ideal layout options for organizing, editing, and color grading, even across more than one monitor. Full support for wide color workflows is included.
"This is our biggest update to Final Cut Pro X since we completely redesigned it five years ago," said Susan Prescott, Apple's vice president of Apps Product Marketing. "The new version features a sleek interface and adds powerful new editing features that go far beyond what's possible with traditional, track-based video editing apps; and integration with the revolutionary Touch Bar gives professional video editors a whole new way to interact with Final Cut Pro X."
There's a new Magnetic Timeline to make it easier to see a full film at a glance. Dialogue, music, and effects are all highlighted with custom color coding, and there's now an option to drag and rearrange the vertical layout of a timeline or highlight audio roles during the editing process.
The Final Cut Pro X update also includes support for the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro, introducing dynamic controls that change based on which tool is in use. With the Tool Bar, users can do things like adjust audio levels, trim, navigate through a timeline, initiate playback, and more.
Motion 5.3 and Compressor 5.3 have also been updated with Touch Bar support and a new darker look to match the Final Cut Pro X update. Motion 5.3 includes support for wide color workflows and 3D text enhancements, plus it offers a new Align behavior for quickly connecting separate objects. Compressor 4.3 features wide color support and updates and improvements that make it quicker to deliver packages to the iTunes Store.
During today's event, Apple announced that it has teamed up with LG to create 4K and 5K UltraFine Displays specifically designed to work with the new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro models that debuted this morning.
Priced at $1,299.95, the 27-inch 5K LG UltraFine Display features a 5120 x 2880 resolution and P3 wide color gamut. It uses multi-stream transport so it's powered by a single Thunderbolt 3 cable, which can also charge the MacBook Pro at the same time with up to 85W of power delivery.
Three downstream USB-C ports are built into the back of the display to power additional devices and accessories, and it includes built-in stereo speakers, a camera, and a microphone. The 5K display is only compatible with the new MacBook Pro, as it requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection.
Apple and LG are also offering a 21.5-inch 4K monitor, with a resolution of 4096 x 2304 and P3 wide color gamut for $699.95. It's able to connect to the MacBook Pro or MacBook using a single USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 cable, which can also provide 60W of power for charging.
It too includes three downstream USB-C ports to power additional devices and accessories, plus it includes built-in stereo speakers. Because it doesn't require Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, the 4K LG display works with any Mac that has a USB-C port.
The LG UltraFine 4K Display is currently available for purchase from Apple's website and will ship out in 5 to 6 weeks. The LG UltraFine 5K Display is currently listed as "Unavailable" on Apple's website and cannot yet be purchased. Apple says it will launch in December.
According to the technical specifications listed for the new MacBook Pros, which are equipped with Thunderbolt 3, the 15-inch MacBook Pro can power two 5K displays at one time or four 4K displays. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro can power one 5K display or two 4K displays. All external displays are able to run at 60Hz.
It is not clear what the LG partnership means for the future of Apple-branded displays. Apple discontinued its Thunderbolt Display earlier this year, but there were rumors suggesting a 5K display with an integrated GPU is in the works. It is not clear if the LG monitors have replaced that rumored product, or if Apple is making them available until it can produce a new Apple-branded display.
While new MacBook Pros with faster specs and a Touch Bar launched earlier today, Apple continues to sell base model 2015 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros on its website for the same entry-level prices of $1,299 and $1,999 respectively. Higher-end models with faster specs and more storage are no longer available for purchase.
2015 MacBook Pros should remain a popular option among customers who prefer having access to a broader range of ports, such as MagSafe, two USB-A ports, two Thunderbolt ports, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an SD card reader.
The new MacBook Pros have four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack only. Thunderbolt 3 carries power, USB, DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA video out over a single port. As with the 12-inch MacBook, customers will have to purchase standalone dongles to connect certain devices and accessories.
2015 MacBook Pros, of course, have traditional function keys rather than Apple's new Touch Bar that provides contextual controls based on the app you are working in or system task you are carrying out.
Apple did not update the MacBook Air line as expected today, signaling that it will slowly phase out the MacBook Air machines in favor of the MacBook and MacBook Pro lineups.
While there is no new MacBook Air available for purchase, Apple is continuing to offer the 13-inch MacBook Air models that were last updated in 2015. The 11-inch MacBook Air has been officially discontinued and can no longer be purchased from Apple.
Pricing on the MacBook Air continues to start at $999 for the 1.6GHz/8GB/128GB model, which is likely why Apple has kept it in the lineup for now. At $999, the MacBook Air is $500 cheaper than the new entry-level MacBook Pro and $300 cheaper than the entry-level Retina MacBook.
At today's event, Apple positioned the new entry-level MacBook Pro as a viable MacBook Air replacement, because the MacBook Pro is now nearly as thin and light as the MacBook Air.
Apple's entry-level MacBook Pro features a 2.0GHz processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, Intel Iris Graphics 540, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. It does not include a Touch Bar or Touch ID support, which allows Apple to sell it for $1,499 instead of $1,799, the price of the entry-level MacBook Pro that has those two features.
Apple has discontinued its non-Retina legacy MacBook Pro, the last Mac it sold with a built-in CD/DVD drive. The 13-inch notebook had not been updated since June 2012, but it remained available for purchase on Apple's website for $1,099 until today.
Apple continues to sell a standalone SuperDrive for $79 that connects with a traditional USB cable. As with the 12-inch MacBook, a dongle would be needed to use the SuperDrive with new MacBook Pros that have switched to USB-C ports.
Apple today announced the all-new MacBook Pro, confirming that the new computer will come in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, in both Silver and Space Gray color options. The MacBooks are thinner and lighter than their previous generations, come with a Trackpad that's larger than the ones on the previous MacBooks, and have a redesigned keyboard for better typing.
Apple calls it "the most powerful MacBook Pro ever," and the 13-inch model features a 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz, 8GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage. The 15-inch version has a 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.5 GHz, 16GB of memory and 256GB of flash storage. Both computers reach "up to 2.3 times the graphics performance" of the previous generation.
The 15-inch MacBook Pro features Radeon Pro discrete graphics, while the 13-inch model has Intel Iris Graphics. Each edition includes SSDs with sequential read speeds over 3GBps, and the ability to drive a 5K display through a single Thunderbolt 3 port thanks to the technology's consolidation of data transfer, video bandwidth, and charging abilities.
For the display, that means Apple has created "the brightest, most colorful notebook display" ever, with images that are more vivid and lifelike thanks to the screen's 500 nits of brightness. In total, that means the new screen is now 67 percent brighter than the previous generation MacBook Pro, has 67 percent more contrast, "and is the first Mac notebook display to support a wider color gamut." The company said that none of this negatively affects battery life, because with power saving technology in the MacBook -- including a larger pixel aperture, a variable refresh rate and more power-efficient LEDs -- the display now consumes 30 percent less energy.
“This week marks the 25th anniversary of Apple’s first notebook; through the years each generation has introduced new innovations and capabilities, and it’s fitting that this all-new generation of MacBook Pro is the biggest leap forward yet,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.
“With the groundbreaking new Touch Bar, the convenience of Touch ID, the best Mac display ever, powerful performance, improved audio, blazing fast storage and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity in our thinnest and lightest pro notebook yet, the new MacBook Pro is the most advanced notebook ever made.”
Regarding ports, the MacBook Pro now has four Thunderbolt 3 ports, any of which can be used to charge the laptop, and Apple has officially done away with MagSafe charging on its MacBook Pro line. The enclosure of the MacBook features an entirely new design and all-metal unibody construction, and the 13-inch model is 14.9 mm thin while the 15-inch option is 15.5 mm thin.
In comparison to the last edition of the MacBook Pro, the 13-inch model is 17 percent thinner and has 23 percent less volume, while the 15-inch is 14 percent thinner and 20 percent less volume. In terms of weight, the 13-inch is 3 pounds and the 15-inch is 4 pounds, both devices coming in at nearly half a pound lighter than their previous iterations.
Of course, the biggest addition to the MacBook Pro is the new "Touch Bar," which sits atop the keyboard and officially replaces the function keys on the laptop. As was rumored, Touch Bar is application specific and adapts to what's on screen, be it scrolling through months in Calendar, choosing an album in Photos, selecting emoji in Messages, and many more, including third-party apps like Microsoft Office.
Another advantage is Touch ID, which comes integrated into the power button on the new MacBook Pro. Once a user enrolls their fingerprint into the Touch ID system on MacBook, they can unlock the computer with the simple press of a finger, switch user accounts, and even make purchases with Apple Pay's new integration on the web.
A second generation butterfly mechanism in the keyboard provides more responsive typing. Below the keyboard, Apple expanded the Trackpad to be 50 percent larger in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and twice as large than previous models on the 15-inch MacBook Pro. The speakers got an overhaul, too, with louder, more true-to-life sound that have double the dynamic range and improved bass.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro starts at $1,799, while the 15-inch starts at $2,399, and both devices can be pre-ordered today with a shipping date of 2-3 weeks. Apple has also decided to not create a new "Air" model, instead introducing an entry-level MacBook Pro without a Touch Bar that begins at $1,499, and it's on sale now on Apple.com.
The Apple Store has just come online following today's event, and the three new MacBook Pro models announced this morning are now available for purchase.
Available in Space Gray and Silver in 13 and 15-inch sizes, pricing on the new MacBook Pro starts at $1,499 for the entry-level model with no Touch Bar and goes up to $2,799 for the 15-inch machine.
The entry-level 13-inch machine, available to ship starting today, features a 2.0GHz Core i5 processor, 8GB of 1866MHz RAM, a 256GB SSD, Intel Iris Graphics 540, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports. It is priced at $1,499.
The mid-level 13-inch machine with a Touch Bar features a 2.9GHz Core i5 processor, 8GB of 2133MHz RAM, a 256GB SSD, Intel Iris Graphics 550, four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a Touch Bar and Touch ID. It's priced at $1,799.
The high-end 13-inch machine features the same internals as the mid-level machine, but with a 512GB SSD for $1,999.
As for the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, the entry-level machine starts at $2,399 and includes a 2.6Ghz quad-core processor, 16GB of 2133MHz RAM, a 256GB SSD, a Radeon Pro 450 with 2GB memory, four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a Touch Bar and Touch ID.
The high-end 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro features a 2.7GHz Core i7 processor, 16GB of 2133MHz RAM, a 512GB SSD, a Radeon Pro 455 with 2GB memory, four Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a Touch Bar and Touch ID.
There are also several build-to-order upgrade options available for improving the processor, storage space, and graphics card.
All MacBook Pro models with a Touch Bar and Touch ID ship out in two to three weeks.
