The MacBook Pro You’ve Been Waiting For Is Here In Apple’s Latest 2017 Models


Apple has finally made an important upgrade to its MacBook Pro line. During the Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), it was revealed that the MacBook Pro will be carrying new processors, and will receive a speed boost. As noted by TechRadar, Apple’s 2017 edition is an incremental upgrade compared to 2016’s fundamental shift.

“With major updates to iMac, and a refresh of our MacBook and MacBook Pro lines, the Mac is stronger than ever,” said John Ternus, Apple’s vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Today, iMac gets a huge graphics performance increase, faster CPU performance, Thunderbolt 3 and a brighter Retina display with support for 1 billion colors. We’re also increasing CPU and SSD speed on MacBook, adding faster processors and making faster graphics standard on our 15-inch MacBook Pro.”

The MacBook Pro 2017 line is now armed with Kaby Lake processors, Intel’s seventh-generation processor. Previously, the MacBook Pro line carried the sixth-generation Skylake processors. With the Kaby Lake, the 13-inch MacBook Pro now runs on 3.5 GHz Core i7 with Turbo Boost of up to 4.0 GHz. The 15-inch boasts of 3.1 GHz Core i7 with Turbo Boost of up to 4.1 GHz.

The 2017 line also received up to 50 percent faster SSD, and supports up to twice the memory. The memory now operates at 2,133MHz frequency, compared to the entry level MacBook Pro of 2016, which came with 1,866MHz RAM. The only drawback is that the memory capacity can only accommodate up to 16GB.

[Image by Apple]

The latest processors also come with integrated graphics that makes for a flawless 4K media streaming, plus video editing and creation. The 15-inch MacBook Pro has an upgraded Intel HD Graphics 630, a jump from its previous Intel HD Graphics 530. It now also has higher-end discrete graphics, with either the 2GB AMD Radeon Pro 555 or the 4GB Radeon Pro 560.

The display of the 13-inch model is at 227 ppi with screen at 2,500 x 1,600 resolution. On the other hand, the 15-inch MacBook Pro is slightly down in sharpness at 220 ppi, with 2,880 x 1,800 pixels.

Apple still claims a 10-hour battery run, as with its previous iterations. But according to TechRadar, with the Kaby Lake processor, it should afford a longer battery life.

Design-wise, nothing has changed in the new MacBook Pro. The thin and light 13-in MacBook Pro is 0.59 inches (1.49 cm) thick at 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg). Meanwhile, the 15-inch version, though considerably larger, is still thin at 0.61 inches (1.55cm) and fairly light for its size at 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg).

The new MacBook Pro line still carries the Touch Bar with Touch ID, and comes with 500-nit Retina display. It is also capable of Thunderbolt 3 connection.

[Image by Sean Gallup/Getty Images]

Probably the best news is the 13-inch non-touch bar model is modestly priced at just $1,299. However, it comes with only 128 GB of storage, which is only half of the data capacity found in the lowest priced MacBook Pro 2016 model. The 15-inch version is still at $2,399.

Meanwhile, when Apple introduced a thinner and lighter MacBook Pro last year, many assumed that the Cupertino-based company would be killing off its MacBook Air line at last. But as it turns out, the Pro, though now roughly as heavy as the MacBook Air, is still more expensive, which is why Apple fans still love the MacBook Air.

Together with Apple’s other products, which are getting an upgrade, it looks like the MacBook Air is also receiving a better CPU. But that’s it, so customers would do well not to expect retina display, additional storage or RAM. Apple might not have killed the MacBook Air line, but according to Tech Crunch, it is on life support. However, with the 13-inch MacBook Pro now priced at just $1,299, loyal MacBook Air supporters might very well skip this slightly upgraded version, and send it to its grave.

[Featured Image by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]

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