Apple has announced a trio of MacBook Pro 2016 models and while it was always known that they will come with upgraded hardware, there are two very unique, and very powerful models that offer much more than rapid-fast computing power. We will be covering all three different models in detail, but first let us go through the regular 13-inch MacBook, which features a regular keyboard layout.
13-inch MacBook
Now, there are two 13-inch MacBook models, but let’s get through with the one that comes with hardware upgrades and a total of two Thunderbolt 3 ports. That is right, Apple has removed the old connectors and ports and now, you only get a total of two Thunderbolt 3 ports that utilize the USB-C interface, much like 12-inch MacBook. However, these USB-C ports will transfer data according to the USB 3.1 Generation 2 standard, which is 10Gbps. To refresh your memory, both the 2015 and 2016 12-inch MacBook are able to transfer data at the USB 3.1 Generation 1 standard, which is 5Gbps.
The advantage here is that you’ll be able to charge the MacBook Pro from any port while using the other port to transfer data or charge other peripherals. The disadvantage here is that you will have to purchase dongles to connect your other hardware because we are sure that none of the hardware that you own will support the new interface. Apple states that you will be able to experience up to 10 hours of battery life while web browsing on all three MacBook Pro models.
As for the hardware, the 13-inch MacBook Pro features a dual-core Core i5 processor running at a speed of 2.0GHz. The Turbo Boost clock speed ups the frequency to 3.10GHz, and you also get 256GB worth of SSD storage and 8GB RAM. There’s no dedicated GPU, but you do get an Intel Iris Graphics 540 iGPU and a very high resolution of 2560 x 1600. There’s also an 802.11ac Wi-Fi adapter, and support for Bluetooth 4.2. The starting price of this configuration will set you back by $1,499.
If you want to take a look at the features not present in this model, then prepare your wallets because the following notebooks are definitely going to cost you a massive chunk of change.
13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 models
The grand prize of Apple’s notebook family comes in the form of its 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 models. What is so special about these new notebook models might you ask. Well, if we were to start off, they are the thinnest and lightest MacBook Pro models ever made by the company, and they use the same scissor keyboard mechanism present on both the 2015 and 2016 12-inch MacBook to provide you with slightly more key travel when you press on it.
However, two features that you’ll gladly take note of is the Touch Bar and Touch ID. Touch Bar is the ‘all important’ display bar that we’ve heard about for quite a long time and it functions exactly the way you’ve heard about it. It has replaced your function keys, giving you more options to carry out commands using the Touch Bar, and the Touch ID sensor not only locks and unlocks your notebook without having to use a password, it is also able to make transactions through Apple Pay using your fingerprint. Now how cool is that?
Instead of two Thunderbolt 3 ports, you get a total of four Thunderbolt 3 ports and just like the regular MacBook Pro, these ports will also be able to transfer data up to 10Gbps. Coming to the hardware, the 13-inch MacBook Pro model features a dual-core Core i5 processor with a clock speed that’s running at 2.9GHz. Thanks to Intel’s Turbo Boost, the clock speed goes up to 3.3GHz. You also get 256GB worth of SSD storage, but you can choose to upgrade it to 512GB, or even 1TB of flash memory if the need ever arises. As for the graphics, you get an Intel Iris Graphics 550, the same 1600p resolution, 802.11ac adapter and support for Bluetooth 4.2. The starting price of the advanced 13-inch MacBook Pro is $1,799.
The 15-inch MacBook Pro are the powerful notebooks that creative professionals will take advantage of because apart from featuring the same Touch Bar and Touch ID sensor, along with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, the upsized laptops also come with quad-core Intel Core i7 processors. The base model is running at 2.6GHz with a Boost Clock speed that goes up to 3.5GHz. You also get 16GB RAM running at 2133MHz and a 256GB PCIe SSD. Only the 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 models come with a dedicated GPU. The first model features an AMD Radeon Pro with 2GB of GDDR5 memory.
The starting price of the 15-inch MacBook Pro 2016 is $2,399, making it one of the most expensive, but uniquely designed and powerful notebooks of 2016. Now that you have heard about all the three MacBook Pro models, which would be yours to upgrade when you finally decide to purchase one?