Apple Hello Again Event Roundup: New MacBook Pro Models, the 11.6” MacBook Air is Dead + More!
By Simon Hung
October 27, 2016The iPhone and iPad reign supreme in Apple’s product strategy, so much so that their ubiquitous MacBook laptops have been somewhat neglected for the past few years, with incremental spec bumps and no major hardware revamps to their MacBook Pro line since 2012.
That changed today during Apple’s Hello Again Event, where they introduced three new MacBook Pro notebooks, right in time for the holiday season. The new products borrow several cues from the single-port MacBook introduced in 2015, including the butterfly keyboard and all-metal design, while adding some new tricks like Touch ID.
We’ve listed some of the notable features for the new MacBook Pro below along with some other tidbits from the keynote.
Product updates and Apple TV
The keynote began with Apple tooting their own horn, with updates on the success of the iPhone 7 and iOS 10, Apple Pay’s launch in Japan and a new website dedicated to accessibility.
Apple TV was the first product to be featured, with the announcement of Minecraft coming soon along with interactive NFL livestreams through Twitter, though the latter is irrelevant to Canadians (thanks, Rogers).
A new TV app was also demoed, with the ability to consolidate video from your media apps into a single interface, with curated suggestions and Siri functionality to provide what Apple calls a “unified TV experience.” The app is also available on iOS and will be available later this year via a free update in the United States with no mention of a Canadian release.
Mac
Apple’s three new MacBook Pro laptops were unveiled next, with a new design, some interesting omissions and an obligatory video narrated by Jony Ive. We’ve listed the key features and prices for each one below along with more details about the biggest new upgrades afterwards.
13.3” MacBook Pro with Traditional Function Keys (Starting at $1899.00)
- All-metal design with Retina Display (2560 x 1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch)
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack
- 17% thinner than the previous generation
- Butterfly mechanism keyboard with larger Force Touch trackpad and improved speakers
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD and integrated Intel Iris graphics
13.3” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Starting at $2299.00)
- All-metal design with Retina Display (2560 x 1600 resolution at 227 pixels per inch)
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack
- 17% thinner than the previous generation
- Butterfly mechanism keyboard with larger Force Touch trackpad and improved speakers
- Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB SSD and integrated Intel Iris graphics
15.4” MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (Starting at $2999.00)
- All-metal design with Retina Display (2880 x 1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch)
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack
- 14% thinner than the previous generation
- Butterfly mechanism keyboard with larger Force Touch trackpad and improved speakers
- Intel Core i7 processors, 16GB RAM, up to 2TB SSD and discrete AMD Radeon Pro with integrated Intel HD 530 graphics
That Touch Bar
The biggest change was the long-rumoured removal of the function keys for the new Touch Bar. Apple stated that they chose to replace antiquated function keys with an input method that can dynamically change depending on the app.
The Touch Bar can display things such as system controls, typing suggestions and more, depending on the program and usage scenario. You can display the function and escape keys on the Touch Bar if needed and the entry-level MacBook Pro includes traditional physical function keys.
Touch ID is also integrated on the right side of the Touch Bar, which serves as the power button and as a method to quickly switch user accounts or pay for items using Apple Pay.
The Ports (or lack thereof)
The new MacBook Pro includes up to four Thunderbolt 3 ports (via a USB Type-C connector) and a headphone jack. While Thunderbolt 3 is versatile and can be used for power (any of the ports can be used for charging), display output and more, the new model loses the magnetic MagSafe power connector, standard USB ports, native HDMI output and SD card reader found in the previous generation and owners will likely need adapters to use accessories.
You’ll need a dongle to charge an iPhone. You’ll need a dongle to access a USB hard drive. You’ll need a dongle to plug in an SD card. You’ll need a dongle to use an external display. You’ll need a dongle to get wired internet. You’ll need a dongle to use a mouse. You’ll need a dongle to use a USB hub so you can charge an iPhone, access a USB hard drive, plug in an SD card and use a mouse at the same time.
It’s a messy solution to solve problems that really shouldn’t exist with a product at this price, but it’s a route that Apple has unequivocally taken with their products in recent years.
No MacBook Air updates
Much to the disappointment of average consumers and college students, Apple made no updates to their cheapest and most popular laptop, the MacBook Air. Instead, they chose to quietly discontinue the 11.6” MacBook Air and made a mention of positioning the new entry-level MacBook Pro alongside the 13.3” MacBook Air, despite the $700.00 price difference.
Apple will only carry the 13.3” MacBook Air moving forward, retaining the same design, last-generation processors and lacklustre 1440 x 900 display.
With the announcement of the new MacBook Pro models, expect to see modest discounts on 2015 MacBook Pro hardware as well as the 11.6” MacBook Air during the upcoming holiday shopping season as retailers try to clear excess inventory. While steep discounts are unlikely, be sure to keep your eyes open if you’ve been in the market for a MacBook Pro or if you just want a MacBook laptop that includes standard USB ports.
Excited to see a new MacBook design? Disappointed in the announcement? Wished there was a MacBook Air update? Sick of needing a million dongles? Let us know how you feel about the new MacBook Pro or if you plan to get one!
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View allIt kind of stopped working since 2012 I think. I did not upgrade to Sierra because I could not backup my 2013 MPR. I kiiled the process after 36 hours, and there was only 17GB to backup