Earlier today Apple revealed the brand new redesigned MacBook Pro with Touch ID sensor and OLED touch bar above the number keys, which will be contextual to what app or service is open.

Tim Cook said on stage;

“The Mac is more than a product to us. It’s a testament to everything we do and create at Apple.”

So, what’s new in the MacBook Pro?

Overall the new MacBook is a timely upgrade to one of the most popular laptops Apple makes, it will be available in two sizes 13-inch and 15-inch like last time and the name has changed back to ‘MacBook Pro’ as since 2012 it’s been called ‘MacBook Pro with Retina Display’ and that’s a mouthful – also the old non-retina MacBook Pro is no longer on sale.

Both models feature the ForceTouch trackpad that debuted on the MacBook in 2015, but it’s now a larger surface area.

 

In terms of weight, Apple has shaved some weight off, the 15-inch model is now four pounds and fourteen percent lighter than the outgoing model. The 13-inch model just over three pounds at 3.02.

Touch Bar

The biggest headlining feature is the new Touch Bar above the number keys. This large OLED bar offers contextual access to app shortcuts, it replaces the space where the function keys are.

 

The Touch Bar will adapt to what app you are using. When you get a FaceTime call the bar will show the options to answer the phone call, decline and who is calling.

 

Touch ID

Another much requested feature is Touch ID for Mac, the new MacBook Pro features the second generation Touch ID sensor, it’s also powered by a new chip the T1.

 

Touch ID allows you to unlock the MacBook, authenticate iTunes and Mac App Store purchases. Also supporting Apple Pay on websites which accept it.

What ports does the new MacBook Pro have?

With the thinner MacBook that Apple launched last year, it ditched a lot of the standard ports in favour of the new USB Type C standard. USB C handles power for charging as well as Thunderbolt 3, USB, DisplayPort, VGA and HDMI data.

Thunderbolt 3 ports are based on the USB C standard, meaning the ports will work at full speed when connecting USB C devices – also older devices will work with adaptors. The MacBook Pro includes four USB C ports and all of them can be used for charging.

Specs – what’s powering the new Macbook Pro?

Apple hasn’t shyed away from packing the new MacBook Pro with tons of power. On the entry level the 13-inch MacBook Pro is 103% faster at gaming than the outgoing model. 76% faster at video editing and 76% faster at 3D graphics.

The 13-inch model comes with dual core Intel Core i5 processors as standard but it can be configured up to a Core i7 variant.

The 15-inch model comes with quad core Intel Core i7 processor – making the new model 2.4% faster overall than the last model. Meaning 60% faster gaming, 57% faster video editing and 130% 3D graphics.

Availability & Pricing

Pre-orders are starting today from apple.com and Apple Stores. Shipments will be in 2-3 weeks.

13-inch MacBook – £1,449.00

  • 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
  • 256GB SSD
  • 8GB RAM
  • Intel Iris Graphics 540
  • Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • this model doesn’t feature the Touch Bar or Touch ID.

The next model up has the same specs as the one above but features a 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 Intel Iris 550 graphics, the Touch Bar, Touch ID and an extra 2 Thunderbolt ports and costs £1,749.00.

The next model up is £1,949.00 and has a 512GB SSD in addition to the above.

15-inch MacBook – £2,349.00

  • 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
  • 16GB RAM
  • 256GB SSD
  • Radeon Pro 450 2GB graphics
  • Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
  • Touch Bar and Touch ID

The next model up is £2,699.00 and has a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 512GB SSD, Radeon Pro 455 2GB graphics.

YouTube Video (Apple)

Gallery

Source: Apple.com & iDownloadblog.com