Apple this morning released new MacBook Pro models. Here’s the highlights starting with the 15″ models:
- 6-core Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.8 GHz
- Up to 32GB of DDR4 memory
- Powerful Radeon Pro discrete graphics with 4GB of video memory in every configuration
- Up to 4TB of SSD storage
- True Tone display technology
- Apple T2 Chip
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
And then for the 13″ models:
- Quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.5 GHz and double the eDRAM
- Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics 655 with 128MB of eDRAM
- Up to 2TB of SSD storage
- True Tone display technology
- Apple T2 Chip
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Now a couple of things that I will point out here:
- You can now FINALLY shove up to 32GB of RAM into one of these notebooks. About time Apple
- The True Tone display will really make a difference to those in the Photoshop/Lightroom space.
- The use of the T2 chip which first made an appearance in the iMac Pro suggests that Apple is embracing hardware encryption for the data on the SSD rather than using software encryption. That’s another “about freaking time” sort of thing as hardware encryption has been widely used on the PC side of the fence for years.
- The use of an i9 processor in the 15″ model is clearly aimed at pro users who really need to crunch numbers or do something that requires a lot of processing power. Though I’ll likely gravitate towards that model as fast processors make everything faster and the bragging rights would be huge.
- The press release noted “an improved third-generation keyboard for quieter typing. ” Could it be that this is a response to #KeyboardGate?
Starting at $1,799 and $2,399 USD, they’re available today. Though I will be waiting for iFixit to do their usual teardown to answer these questions:
- Is the RAM upgradable? Likely not. But you have to ask the question as that will allow you to make a decision in terms of whether you can live with 16GB or RAM or do you have to max the machine out with 32GB right from the start.
- What is different about the keyboard? After all, the main reason why I have not replaced my 2015 model is the keyboard is the fact that the keyboard sucks from a typing perspective. Oh, there’s that #KeyboardGate thing as well. Thus I am curious if this is any better than Apple’s previous attempts at this ultra thin keyboard.
- Whether the SSD is upgradable or not. It was in the more recent models. But I would not be shocked if Apple went away from that because of the use of the T2 chip. If it isn’t, then you have to make a call if you need 512GB or storage, or you have to jump to a terabyte or more.
So, what do you think of Apple’s latest and greatest? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
UPDATE: I just noticed that Apple has stopped selling the base 2015 MacBook Pro. It was there partially because of price point, and partially because there were those who simply didn’t want to live the #DongleLife. Oh yeah, the keyboard was MUCH better than the ones that are part of #KeyboardGate. Now that this machine is gone, it means that you’re going to have to go to USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 and live the #DongleLife. And you’ll have to make do with the new keyboards too.
UPDATE #2: A CNet article notes that the keyboards are quieter, but the have nothing in them to address #KeyboardGate related issues. Thus buyer beware as you might be getting a laptop that develops a keyboard related problem.