Apple has announced its 2018 MacBook Pro range of laptops, continuing the incremental improvements we are used to from the company. In terms of aesthetics, the new MacBook pro looks the same as the 2017 model. As for specs, the new device is a faster performer and gets some new features.
Back to the design, while Apple has not changed anything the MacBook Pro remains a sleek device with a high-end look and feel. The company has also expanded the range, so there are now two 15-inch models and four 13-inch models.
Apple is calling the device the “most advanced Mac notebook ever,” which is probably true. Last year, the company innovated with the Touch Bar, a small strip of HD screen sitting above the keyboard. The Touch Bar is back for the 2018 MacBook Pro and still performs an array of core features within apps.
In its announcement today, Phil Schiller, senior vice-president of Worldwide Marketing at Apple said:
“The latest generation MacBook Pro is the fastest and most powerful notebook we’ve ever made. Now with 8th-generation 6-core processors, up to 32GB of system memory, up to 4TB of super-fast SSD storage, new True Tone technology in its Retina display and Touch Bar, the Apple T2 chip for enhanced security and a third-generation quieter keyboard packed into its thin and light aluminium design with all-day battery life, it’s the best notebook for pro users.”
Leveraging its new T2 chip from the iMac Pro, the new MacBook Pro gets improved security capabilities. Apple says the device supports on-the-move drive encryption and secure boot.
The specs for the 15-inch MacBook Pro are:
- 6-core Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.8 GHz
- Up to 32GB of DDR4 memory
- Powerful Radeon Pro discrete graphics with 4GB of video memory in every configuration
- Up to 4TB of SSD storage
- True Tone display technology
- Apple T2 Chip
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
The 13-inch MacBook Pro specs include:
- Quad-core Intel Core i5 and i7 processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost up to 4.5 GHz and double the eDRAM
- Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics 655 with 128MB of eDRAM
- Up to 2TB of SSD storage
- True Tone display technology
- Apple T2 Chip
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Cost and Availability
As we expect with Apple products, the new MacBook Pro range is expensive. Indeed, the range costs between $1,799 and $2,799 before you even add upgrade. Speaking of which, if you buy the top-end MacBook Pro and configure it fully with all available software and hardware additions will cost a cool $7,198.98.
