We’ve been talking for some time now about a series of upgrades coming to the Macs. The MacBook Pro lineup got a much-needed upgrade yesterday, and it will blow your mind!
The iPhone 7 was obviously a big event for Apple and naturally all their energies thus far were dedicated towards it. But now that the iPhone is out of the way, Apple could finally give the Macs the attention they deserve. And god as my witness, this upgrade really seems like science fiction.
Physical Changes
- The 17-inch model is no longer available. The new MacBook Pro comes only in 15” and 13”.
- Both the models have lost half a pound each (about 225 grams). The 13” MacBook is now 3 pounds and the 15” is about pounds.
- They are also thinner and more compact by volume. In comparison to the 13” MacBook Air, the new Mac is 13% thinner and 12% less bulky (by volume).
Hardware Upgrades
- Wide Color gamut display that’s 67% brighter, with 67% higher contrast and 25% more colors.
- Core i7 and i5 6th gen dual-core processors for super fast computing capabilities.
- A dedicated Radion Pro GPU with 4GB VRAM that has improved 3D graphics speed by 130%.
- Super fast SSD come standard with all variants.
- Better speakers
- The trackpad has been completely re-engineered for a better tactile feedback. It also nearly doubles in size. The new trackpad is just HUGE!!
- A bump in battery life by an hour or so.
Connectivity
Apart from the standard Bluetooth, wifi, etc., this time Apple has really changed the way the MacBook connects physically to other devices. As for the ports, there is just one 3.5 mm audio jack and 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports.
There’s no MagSafe power port. You charge the MacBook through the Thunderbolt port. Through any of the Thunderbolt ports!
OLED Touch Bar
The most exciting change, however, has to be the new OLED Touch Bar at the very top of the keyboard. This is where all the magic happens. The new Touch Bar replaces the function keys in placement alone, because, in functionality, it’s in a league of its own.
It’s a strip of multi-touch OLED display that’s integrated into the very heart of the OS. The display changes to assist you with whatever software you’re using. So if you’re on a document, typing something, the Touch Bar will show you formatting options, but the moment you switch to a new programme, say Photoshop, the Touch Bar will also automatically switch to colour pallets, brush tools and blend modes!
Here’s a snapshot of the variety of tasks the Touch Bar can accomplish —
Oh, also, the Touch Bar supports Touch ID as well. So you can now unlock your Mac with your fingerprint, or pay on any website using Apple Pay with just a touch, or secure your Note/documents, or any number of fancy things the new iPhones are capable of, they can all be done on the Mac now!!
No other laptop in the market offers this level of sophistication when it comes to hardware-software integration. We’ve never before seen the hardware morph itself instantaneously to suit the software — it’s the type of groundbreaking innovation that Apple had become famous for! And boy are we glad they have done it again!
And now the time is right for some shockers —
The Price
- The 13” model with Touch Bar starts at $ 1,799. In India, that would be around Rs. 1,35,000.
- The 15” model with touch Bar starts at $ 2,399. In India, that would be around Rs. 1, 80,000.
So essentially, the MacBooks have not only gotten mindblowing upgrades in the specs, they have also got a heart-shattering rise in the prices! Two lakh rupees for a laptop! Seriously!?
While the specs are definitely a big just up from the previous model, it will remain to be seen how well these devices do in India given their price brackets. So once again, Apple woos us with wonderful products but kicks us in the butt with the cost!
But before I take your leave, I would like to fawn over the Touch Bar. Just one last time…
