The MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.7 15-Inch (Late 2016 Retina Display, Touch Bar, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) features a 14 nm, 6th Generation “Skylake” 2.7 GHz Intel “Core i7” processor (6700HQ), with four independent processor “cores” on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared level 3 cache, 16 GB of onboard 2133 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM , 512 GB of PCIe-based flash storage, and dual graphics processors — an AMD Radeon Pro 450 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 graphics processor that shares memory with the system. This notebook also has an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a thin, backlit “second generation” butterfly mechanism keyboard with an integrated new “Touch Bar” that replaces the traditional function keys with a touch-sensitive control that adapts for different applications and provides Touch ID login support, and a gigantic “Force Touch” trackpad.
- 16GB Ram | 512GB SSD
- Intel "Core i7" processor (6700HQ)
The Apple MacBook Pro 15 is the largest, highest-performance Mac laptop that you can buy. It has a Retina display and can be configured to maximize computing power and specifications. It’s also the most expensive Mac laptop, but if you have a demanding workload that requires a lot of processing power this is the best computer to get.
This version of the MacBook Pro is essentially the same as last year, except for some minor changes to software and a new color option. The main thing that has changed is the keyboard, which now features a new design with a different key shape and more keys. While this doesn’t resolve all the issues with the butterfly keys – which have become a point of contention among many MacBook users because of their low travel and high failure rate – it does make them a little less uncomfortable to use for long periods of time.
Another big change is the addition of True Tone to the display, which automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen based on ambient lighting. This is a great feature, and one we’re glad to see Apple implement on its higher-end laptops, although it may be a bit of a distraction for creative professionals who need to focus on the work at hand.
Both the 13-inch and the 15-inch models now come with a 4K display, which is an important upgrade for anyone who plans to do heavy graphics or video editing on their laptop. The resolution isn’t quite as sharp as a 5K monitor, but it’s still a massive improvement over the standard 1,920 x 1,600 resolution on most laptops. The displays are backlit and have a wide color gamut for displaying more accurate colors, which is important for creative professionals.
The Touch Bar is a thin strip of glass that sits above the keyboard and displays context-sensitive buttons that can be used to perform quick shortcuts for specific tasks. It’s a really neat feature that’s starting to see more adoption in third-party apps. Some that already have it include djay Pro, Pixelmator, OmniGraffle and 1Password. There’s also support in the works for Photoshop, dBase and Day One, so the list of compatible apps should continue to grow.
While it’s unfortunate that the Touch Bar isn’t available on a cheaper MacBook, it’s a worthwhile upgrade if you’re planning to use your MacBook for heavy graphics or video editing. The other big drawback to the MacBook Pro is its limited port selection, with only four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a single headphone jack. This has been a source of frustration for some professionals, but we’ve seen the industry adapt over time and most peripherals now offer USB-C connections.
The MacBook Pro is an outstanding laptop that should appeal to most Mac users. Its build quality is second to none, and there’s no other laptop on the market that feels as rigid and solid as this. However, the ongoing keyboard problems are a real concern and should keep some potential buyers away. For the most part, though, this is an excellent laptop with a fantastic display and enough power for most workflows.
(as of June 14, 2023, 5:43 – Details)
