To say things got off to a rocky start is putting it mildly. If anything, the expensive add-on option for one of Intel's new six-core Core i9 processors would appeal to pro-level users, such as video editors and 3D artists, who may be starting to feel that Apple isn't keeping up with their ever-expanding needs for high-end gear. At the same time, the slim unibody aluminum design would remain unchanged since its last design overhaul in late 2016, keeping features both loved (the giant track pad) and not-so-loved (the slim-travel keyboard, the USB-C-only connections). Apple's 13-inch and 15-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro models would get new eighth-gen Intel processors, more storage and RAM options, a color-temperature-sensing True Tone screen and other tweaks - all nice improvements over a ho-hum 2017 update.
#2018 mac pro laptop full#
Stay tuned for our full reviews.On paper, it looked like an impressive, if predictable, set of internal component upgrades. The internal upgrades should make a big difference in everyday performance but especially with intensive workloads, whether you're batch-editing photos or compiling code.īut at $1,799 and $2,399, these are steep starting prices, so we'll have to see if the speed boost is worth the premium. Outlookĭespite not changing much on the outside, the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro represent more than just a refresh from Apple. I would have liked to see at least a microSD card slot for photographers. Unsurprisingly, Apple is sticking to its guns when it comes to ports there are still four Thunderbolt 3 ports on both the 13-inch Pro with Touch Bar and 15-inch Pros. Nor are there any new color options for the aluminum chassis it's still just Space Gray and Silver. Apple also didn't shrink the bezels around the display, which would have helped modernize the design more. Having quieter keys is nice, but I would have liked to see Apple add more key travel to the MacBook Pro keyboards. Once you plug the Blackmagic eGPU in, it will deliver up to 2.8 times faster performance to the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and up to eight times the performance for the 13-inch Pro. This device can stand vertically to save space and comes with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB 3 ports and one HDMI port. If you want even more graphics might, Apple has worked with Blackmagic on an eGPU that packs an AMD Radeon Pro 580 card with 8GB of memory for $699. This chip also adds dedicated storage encryption and secure boot capabilities for the MacBooks. Want to talk to Siri without pressing a button? The new MacBooks pack a dedicated Apple T2 chip that enables you to say "Hey, Siri" and just speak your commands or queries. However, the rated battery life for the new MacBook Pros remains the same as before. The 15-inch model now has 7.6 more watt-hours, which helps compensate for the more power-hungry DDR4 RAM. Bigger BatteriesĪpple is adding bigger batteries to the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros.
#2018 mac pro laptop software#
Apple hasn't made any other changes to the Touch Bar, but the upcoming macOS Mojave will add some software improvements. Plus, the Touch Bar itself supports True Tone to match the screen. Apple instituted a repair program recently to help those affected and said it was "a small percentage of keyboards." True Tone Display and Touch Barīoth the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBooks also come with True Tone displays for the first time, which means you'll get more natural-looking colors in response to ambient light, thanks to a new dedicated color-temperature sensor. I had only a few minutes to play with the 13-inch and 15-inch models, and I did notice a slight improvement in the typing experience, but I'll need more time with the machines to render a verdict.Īpple isn't making any claims about increased durability on the new MacBook Pro keyboards, despite some users complaining about (and even suing over) failing keyboards on existing MacBook Pros. What about the keyboard? The new MacBooks for 2018 have a third-generation butterfly keyboard with the same low travel as their predecessors, but Apple has worked to make them quieter. And it's staying at the same relatively high $1,299 starting price. Alas, Apple is not upgrading the 13-inch MacBook without Touch Bar.