Apple fans are rejoicing that the latest MacBook Pro is now official, with promises that issues with its keyboard have been resolved.
The tech giant has said goodbye to the “butterfly” keyboard design that was supposed to make MacBooks thinner and lighter but caused more functionality problems that it solved. Shaped like a pair of butterfly wings, the mechanisms under the keys proved to be cumbersome with keys sticking and malfunctioning easily.
Apple has now brought its “Magic Keyboard” design from the iMac line, which features a “scissor mechanism” under the keys that allows them to “travel” at least 1mm once pressed. Supported by a rubber dome at the bottom, the new MacBook Pro has regained a sturdiness that has already been applauded by many early reviewers.
In addition to being springy and responsive, the keycaps on the new MacBook Pro are replaceable, potentially making the device easy to repair, according to Scott Stein of CNET. Apple has notably not included this new model it the Keyboard Service Program it instated for MacBooks with the butterfly keyboard design. However, AppleCare+ is available for the new MacBook Pro for $379.
Many have also highlighted that Apple has retained the Touch Bar on the top of the keyboard, which is intended to be a shortcut system and a replacement for the Function buttons that usually occupy that space. The Escape key is now positioned to the left of the Touch Bar, while the Touch ID sensor is on the right. The interested T set up for the arrow keys has also returned, which should please many long term MacBook fans.
While the keyboard redesign is definitely a feature highlight of the new MacBook Pro, other aspects, such as its 16-inch Retina display also stand out. While Apple has merely thinned the bezels on the frame of its older 15.4-inch MacBook Pro to create the new model, the 3,072 x 1,920 resolution upgrade is a major plus. However, its overall brightness remains at the 500 nits set on the prior model.
Apple has also put a focus on sound, installing a six-speaker output system and a three-mic noise-canceling set up its claims is comparable to plugin microphones often used for podcasting and vlogging.
Hardware-wise the new MacBook Pro includes 2.6GHz six-core Intel Core i7 and 2.3GHz Intel Core i9 chip options, between 16GB and 64GB DDR4 RAM options, 512GB SSD with expansion up to 8TB, and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M or 5500M graphics options with 4GB GDDR6 memory and expansion up to 8GB. Early benchmarks for the Pro model laptop have largely been favorable.
Powering the whole set up is a 100 watt-hour battery and a 96W USB-C power adapter. Apple has notes it has outfitted the new MacBook Pro with the largest battery allow by TSA carryon standards. The hefty battery has also added some thickness and weight to the laptop. Apple likely hopes its promise of an 11-hour “wireless web” battery life will make up the heaviness.
A minor but still highly coveted feature on the new MacBook Pro is that it retains a headphone jack.
Some gripes noted in first looks point out that the new MacBook Pro does not get any port upgrades, maintaining the four Thunderbolt 3 ports seen on older models. Nor does it include an SD card slot, which would be beneficial for creators and pro-level users. After upgrading the iPhone 11 to Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax connectivity, the new MacBook Pro remains at a more standard 802.11ac.
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is currently available for preorder at a starting price of $2,399. For this price customers can get a configuration with a 6-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5300M graphics chip with 4GB of graphics memory. However, the highest spec configuration is valued at $6,099 with 64GB of RAM, 8TB of internal storage, and an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M graphics chip with 8GB of graphics memory.
The laptop will release to the market on November 15.
