Apple updates its MacBook Pros with latest Intel processors
What's the story
Apple has quietly updated its top-tier line up of laptops which includes the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Touch bars. The high-end MacBooks now come with the latest Intel processors, True Tone displays, a "quieter" keyboard design and Apple T2 security chip. However, there are no updates for other variants of MacBook or the entry-level MacBook Air. Here's everything you need to know.
Specs
What's new in the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar?
The updated 15-inch MacBook Pro will now come with a 6-core 8th-gen Intel Core i7 or Core i9 processors, clocked up to 2.9GHz and with Turbo Boost, up to 4.8GHz. These MacBooks now also support up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, up to 4TB of storage (SSD) and support Radeon Pro discrete graphics with 4GB of video RAM (in every configuration).
Do you know?
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro: At a glance
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro gets the latest 8th-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 and Core i7 processors (clocked up to 2.7GHz, with Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz). Other updates include Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics 655 with 128MB of eDRAM and up to 2TB SSD.
Other features
Both MacBook models also get True Tone displays
Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBooks get new Retina displays with True Tone technology, which allows the screen to change its color temperature based on the lighting in the room. Moreover, the Touch Bar on these laptops will now also support True Tone. The new models now offer 500-nits of peak brightness and support for the P3 wide color gamut.
The new add-ons
These updated MacBooks also get 'Hey Siri', Apple T2 chip
On its updated MacBooks, Apple has also introduced its T2 security chip, which was first seen on the iMac Pro. The special chip is designed to enhance system security and support storage encryption. Moreover, these new MacBooks also get 'Hey Siri' feature which is used to summon Apple's digital assistant - something that was exclusive to iPhones and iPads until now.
Sshhh!
Let's talk about the "quieter" redesigned keyboards on the MacBooks
With the updated MacBooks, Apple has also introduced the third-generation of its butterfly-keyboards. The redesigned keyboard is touted to be "quieter" than the previous generation but that's not what several users were hoping for. Notably, Apple's buttery keyboards have a tendency to fail entirely when they come in contact with dust and the tech giant now offers a repair program for this issue.
Apple = Premium
Apple has also introduced new leather sleeves for its MacBooks
Apple has also unveiled new leather sleeves for the refreshed MacBook Pro models. These sleeves, made with high-quality leather and micro-fiber lining, will be offered in Saddle Brown, Midnight Blue, and Black colors. The sleeves for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros cost Rs. 16,900 and Rs. 18,900 respectively. For the 12-inch MacBook, the sleeves are priced at Rs. 13,900.
Information
Price and Availability of the new MacBooks
The updated MacBooks will start at Rs. 1,49,900 and Rs. 1,99,900 for the 13-inch MacBook and the 15-inch models, respectively. Further, these new MacBooks will available in India later this month via select Apple Authorized Resellers.