3099
2016-10-31
We break down the new features that make the 2016 MacBook Pro a must-have machine.
After months of rumours, the new MacBook Pros are here, packing new hardware, a new design, and an undeniably cool OLED panel on the keyboard.
But what exactly has Apple done to make them the most interesting MacBook Pros yet? Here's all you need to know about the 2016 MacBook Pro.
The rumours have been flying around for months, and now it's finally official. Yes, the OLED panel at the top of the keyboard will replace the function keys, in the form of Touch bar.
So, what does it do? Well, it'll do what the function keys did, and more – plus, it's customisable. Firstly, the panel will allow you to change the volume and screen brightness, as well as displaying control buttons for whatever music you're listening to, such as Play/Pause, Forward, and Back.
But it can also adapt to whatever program you happen to be using, making it a whole lot more useful than physical keys. It can display shortcuts to your favourite websites when using Safari, or show browser functions such as 'back'. or 'forward'.
It will also let you do things such as straighten photos using a scale when running photo manipulation software, plus, the panel will show typing suggestions which you can just tap to create preset responses to messages, much like Google's 'suggestions' in Allo. There's support for emojis, too.
And it's not just context-specific functions either. The strip also allows you to use Apple's Touch ID tech, which means you'll now be able to log in to your MacBook Pro, buy stuff online, and switch user accounts using your fingerprint. The future is here!
As expected, Apple has packed some powerful new hardware into its new MacBook Pros. The range now comes equipped with Intel's Skylake processors, a significant improvement over last year's Pros, which came with Broadwell chips.
Specifically, the new machines will come with either a Intel Core i5 or i7 processors. The 13-inch edition gets dual-core chips while the 15-inch will receive quad-core processors with higher clock speeds. That should ensure some seriously speedy performance, especially when paired with the 8GB of RAM in the 13-inch model, and especially with the 16GB of RAM in the 15-inch version.
The 3.1GB/s SSD is also 50% faster, and this time around can be configured up to 2TB. Plus, Tim Cook and his cohorts have crammed upgraded graphics into both Macbooks. Specifically, the 13-inch Pro will pack more powerful Intel Iris graphics, while the 15-inch will feature a dedicated AMD Radeon Pro GPU based around the company's new Polaris architecture.. Apple claims the AMD tech makes the 15-inch model 2.3 times faster than the previous-gen MacBook Pro.
2016 MACBOOK PRO – FINALLY, A REDESIGN
Considering the MacBook Pro's previous design had been the standard for the last four years, it's about time Apple changed things up and thankfully it finally has.
This year, the company has managed to shave some excess millimetres off the case of the MacBook Pro, which now measures just 14.9mm in thickness (13-inch) or 15.5mm (15-inch), and weighs just 3lbs (13-inch) or 4lbs (15-inch) – half a pound less than the previous versions in both cases. This is a very portable laptop.
Elsewhere, the trackpad is twice as big as the trackpad in the previous version and the new MacBooks come in either a silver or space grey finish.
And when it comes to the display, the screen is 67% brighter and has 25% more colours than the previous model.
Ahead of the launch, many speculated that we would finally see the introduction of USB Type-C ports on the MacBook Pro. And now, the rumours have been proven right, with Apple providing four USB Type-C/Thunderbolt connections on its latest machine.
You can pick up the 13-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch Bar for £1,449, while the version with the OLED panel will start at £1,749. If you go for the 15-inch variant, you're looking at a starting price of £2,349.
The machines are available to order as of now, so get to it if you're convinced by the latest MacBook Pro upgrade.
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