It has been over 25 years since the first Apple MacBook, or ProBook as it was called back then, was launched. Naturally, expectations were high on 2016's lineup of new MacBooks. Like the iPhone 7, though, Apple hasn't changed much on the MacBook Pro, and focused on finer details. So, what exactly has changed? Click next to know more.
New Macbook Lineup
The new MacBook lineup consists of three device. There are two 13-inch variants and one 15-inch variant. Out of these three, the most affordable one does not include the hyped OLED strip. Instead, it carries the same physical keys like previous generation MacBooks. It is priced at Rs. 1,29,900, and the 13-inch variant with the OLED strip is priced at Rs. 1,55,900. Prices for the new 15-inch MacBook Pro begin at Rs. 2,05,900.
OLED strip
The OLED strip is one of the most prominent updates to the MacBook lineup. It replaces the topmost function keys with an OLED strip, which makes the whole strip interactive and makes it an extension of the display. For example, in the Photos app, you can swipe through your images directly from the OLED bar. You can even add filters from the bar.
The Touch Bar is customisable, and you can set it up as per your preference. While almost all Apple apps are supported with the OLED bar, third party applications will be included in the near future.
Fingerprint scanner
This is also the first MacBook to feature a fingerprint scanner, the Touch ID. This is the same sensor that the company uses on the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus.
Bigger touchpad, improved keyboard
Apple claims that it has improved the keyboard on the new MacBook Pro lineup, introducing the second generation butterfly mechanism in the keyboard. The new MacBook Pro has a much larger trackpad now, which sports Apple’s taptic engine-enabled Force Touchpad.
Goodbye MagSafe
One of the finest things on the MacBook was its proprietary charging connector, 'MagSafe'. It was a unique design, which saved a lot of MacBooks from power damage. Unfortunately, it is now dead. Apple has replaced the MagSafe on the MacBook Pro with USB-C ports. There are four of these, and you can charge the device with any of them. A lot would agree, though, that it is not as safe as 'MagSafe'.
Thin and light
Apple has also shaved off some weight and volume on the new MacBook Pros. The new 13-inch model is now 14.9mm thick, and the weight has gone down to 1.37kg. The 15-inch MacBook Pro is also a hair lighter, weighing 1.83kg and measuring just 15.5mm in thickness.
Performance
The non-Touch Bar variant is powered by a low power 2.0GHz Intel Core i5 processor, and the 13-inch OLED strip-enabled variant is powered by a 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 processor, while 15-inch variants use 6th Gen Intel Core i7 processors.
Here is a quick look at the key specifications
MacBook Pro 13 (Without OLED Touch Bar)
Processor: Intel Core i5, 2.0GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
RAM: 8GB, 1866MHz
Storage: 256GB PCIe SSD
Two USB Type-C ports
MacBook Pro 13 (With OLED Touch Bar)
Processor: Intel Core i5, 2.6GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
RAM: 8GB, 2133MHz
Storage: 256/512GB PCIe SSD
Four USB Type-C ports
Price: Rs. 1,55,900 / Rs. 1,72,900
MacBook Pro 15 (With OLED Touch Bar)
Processor: Intel Core i7 (two SKUs)
RAM: 16GB, 2133MHz
Storage: 256/512GB PCIe SSD
Four USB Type-C ports
Price: Rs. 2,05,900 / Rs. 2,41,900
New Display
Apple claims that the new MacBook Pro has a brighter display, measuring 500 nits in brightness. The display has higher contrast ratio, and also produces 25% more colours than before.
More powerful speakers
Apple’s new MacBooks also feature a new set of stereo speakers, which Apple claim will deliver 58% higher volume, twice the dynamic range, and upto 2.5 times louder bass.
New cooling mechanism
To cool the powerful hardware inside the MacBook Pro, Apple has employed an improved fan architecture, providing better thermal cooling.
Headphone jack is not dead, yet
The Cupertino giant may have removed the headphone jack on the new iPhones, but it still survives on the new MacBook Pro.