Apple MacBook Pro 2016: release date, and best new features

Apple has finally launched a new MacBook Pro which comes in three sizes: 15-inch, a thick 13-inch and a thin 13-inch.The new MacBook Pros feature a completely new design, faster components, and an innovative multi-touch screen-cum-controller. 13-inch and 15-inch models are set to be available within three weeks in the US, starting at $1799 and $2399. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar and Touch ID will be priced starting at Rs. 1,55,900 while the 15-inch model will start at Rs. 2,05,900.

Having released the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus alongside a new Apple Watch 2 in September, the Cupertino giant tonight revealed a host of surprises, including a new Touch Bar, TouchID for the laptop that is compatible with Apple Pay, and the replacement of the traditional USB port with USB-C.

The new MacBook Pro lineup features an 

across-the-board external and internal refresh,

ditching the iconic MacBook Pro design in 

favor of something a little sleeker, a little more 

streamlined. All three new notebooks are 

missing the glowing plastic Apple logo, and 

instead feature a glossy, metal engraving on 

the back of the screen. It is a premium look at a

premium price.

All three are currently on the Apple Store, 

so their specs and features are all laid bare for 

your perusal. The 13-inch MacBook Pro, 

without the fancy Touch Bar, is meant to 

replace the 13-inch MacBook Air and is 

reportedly smaller, thinner, and lighter than it.

The internal hardware also received a refresh, 

with Apple rolling out sixth-generation Skylake

processors to the entire lineup, along with 

some expanded internal storage and RAM 

offerings. All three can be upgraded up to suit 

your needs, but given their introductory prices, 

you might be thinking twice about adding a 

little extra RAM.

The three MacBook Pros share some common 

features, including a much bigger trackpad, 

which Apple claims is a new-and-improved 

Apple has finally launched a new MacBook Pro 

which comes in three sizes: a 15-inch, a thick13-inch 

and a thin 13-inch.version of the previous Force 

Touch trackpad,offering up a more responsive 

experience. The keyboard also got a refresh,with 

new butterfly switches for a better typing 

experience and a greater sense of key travel.

The most innovative feature is of course the multi-touch control strip which replaces the Fn key row. Apple has named it Touch Bar, and it is fully interactive and context-sensitive. It shows simple system-side commands including a dedicated Siri shortcut, but adapts to different apps and workflows within them. Demonstrations on stage at the event showed dozens of possible uses, including word autocomplete suggestions when typing, email composition and filing tools, Photoshop tool selection and manipulation controls, DJ scratching and mixing, and scrubbing a timeline while editing video.

Applications can show content full-screen while controls are moved to the Touch Bar. Multi-touch gestures mean that things such as a waveform or timeline can be manipulated directly. For those who need the traditional Fn keys, they are still available too. For those who need the traditional keys or find the new models too expensive, there is also a 13-inch model without the Touch Bar, starting at $1499 or Rs. 1,29,900 in India.

The new MacBook Pro models also feature Touch ID sensors integrated into the power button. Apple detailed a new chassis design which actually makes the 13-inch MacBook Pro smaller and thinner than the 13-inch MacBook Air.

Common minimum specifications include 6th-gen Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs, 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSDs. The 13-inch model's screen has a resolution of 2560x1600, and it uses integrated Intel Iris 540 graphics. The 15-inch model has a native 2880x1800 resolution and features AMD Radeon Pro graphics.

The models with Touch Bar feature four USB Type-C ports which support Thunderbolt 3 as well as USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds, while the one without Touch Bar has only two ports. Apple also detailed a new Thunderbolt 3 5K monitor developed in partnership with LG, which will work as a dock to charge a MacBook Pro while also featuring breakout ports for other devices, plus a webcam, speakers and mic array.

At a glance | MacBook Pro

Key things to know

Sizes: Available in 13-inch or 15-inch. They are “the thinnest ever MacBook”, around 20 per cent smaller in volume than previous models
Best new features: Touch Bar, TouchID and USB-C ports
Battery life: up to 10 hours
Colours: silver and space grey
RAM: 8GB - 16GB
Cost: starts from $1799 for the 13-inch MacBook Pro
Key dates: pre-order immediately, shipping in early-mid November

Touch Bar

Touch Bar is a screen that replaces the function keys at the top of the keyboard. The buttons on the new strip change depending on what program you're using at any given time.
For example, when you’re in Safari it will display shortcuts to your favourite websites. It can also be used to adjust brightness and change the volume of a song, as well as straighten a picture in Photos or suggest words while you’re typing.

USB-C

Instead of a standard USB port, the MacBook Pro has four USB-C ports. All four sockets can be used to charge the laptop or attach USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI and USB connectors. You’ll need an adapter of course, but these can be purchased for less than $25 online.