Apple’s Entry-Level 13-Inch MacBook Pro Gets Quad-Core CPU & Touch Bar
by Anton Shilov on July 9, 2019 3:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Laptops
- Mac
- Apple
- MacBook Pro
- MacBook
- Notebooks
- Coffee Lake
Apple on Tuesday introduced a new version of its entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro notebook, which has not seen an update since mid-2017. The new model continues to feature the renowned form-factor along with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, but it now comes with a quad-core CPU, a True Tone Retina display, a Touch Bar and Touch ID. The upgraded versions will replace existing cheap MBPs and therefore Apple will no longer offer its latest MacBook Pros without a Touch Bar.
The mid-2019 entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro is based on Intel’s 8th Generation quad-core Core i5/i7 processor with Iris Plus Graphics 645 integrated GPU. It is accompanied by 8 or 16 GB of LPDDR3 memory as well as an SSD offering 128 GB – 2 TB capacity. These machines are placed between the more advanced MacBook Pros with four Thunderbolt 3 connectors and the new MacBook Airs (introduced earlier today). The more expensive 13-inch MBP models introduced earlier this year come with considerably faster quad-core processors equipped with Iris Plus Graphics 655, whereas the cheaper MacBook Air notebooks feature dual-core CPUs along with UHD Graphics 617.
Unlike the previous-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro laptops, these new models have the same features as the higher-end SKUs, as they are equipped with Touch Bar, Touch ID fingerprint reader, and the Apple T2 Security Chip. Essentially, all new MacBook Pro machines will now have a Touch Bar (and no function keys), an indicator that the device turned out to be popular with software developers. Of course it remains to be seen whether Apple’s customers will be satisfied with such a design choice as many still need F keys for various special-purpose software (e.g., specific Windows programs).
| MacBook Pro 13-Inch 2019 (Base Models) | ||||
| Model | 2019 13-Inch Higher-End |
2018 13-Inch Entry-Level |
||
| CPU | 2.4 GHz/4.1 GHz Core i5-8???U 4 CPU Cores (Coffee Lake) |
1.4 GHz/3.9 GHz Core i5-8???U 4 CPU Cores (Coffee Lake) |
||
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus 655 (128MB eDRAM) |
Intel Iris Plus 645 (? eDRAM) |
||
| Display | 13" 2560 x 1600 IPS LCD DCI-P3 Gamut True Tone |
|||
| Memory | 8 GB LPDDR3-2133 | |||
| SSD | 256 GB PCIe SSD | 128 GB PCIe SSD | ||
| Touch Bar | Yes | |||
| I/O | 4x Thunderbolt 3 (supports DP1.2 & USB 3.1 Gen 2 modes), 3.5mm Audio |
2x Thunderbolt 3 (supports DP1.2 & USB 3.1 Gen 2 modes), 3.5mm Audio |
||
| Battery Capacity | 58 Wh | 58.2 Wh | ||
| Battery Life | 10 Hours | |||
| Dimensions | 1.49 cm x 30.41 cm x 21.24 cm | |||
| Weight | 3.02 lbs (1.37 kg) | |||
| Price | $1799 | $1299 | ||
When it comes to I/O capabilities, the new reasonably-priced 13-inch MacBook Pro notebooks also have the same features as the fully-fledged models (with the exception of two TB3 ports vs. four TB3 ports), including 802.11ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0, a 720p HD webcam, a 3.5-mm headset jack, stereo speakers, a large touchpad.
Since cheaper versions of Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro laptops use the same chassis as other notebooks in the series, they feature the same weight and thickness (i.e., 1.37 kilograms and 1.49 cm). The machines are outfitted with a 58.2 Wh battery that enables up to 10 hours of operation on one charge.
Apple’s new entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro notebooks with two Thunderbolt 3 ports are available today directly from Apple for $1,299 and $1,499 depending on the configuration. College students in the US can get a new MacBook Pro starting at $1,199.
Related Reading:
- Apple Refreshes 13 & 15-Inch MacBook Pros for 2019: Adds 8-Core Intel CPUs & Revised Keyboard
- Apple Updates MacBook Pro Family for 2018: More CPU Cores, DDR4, & Same Form Factors
- Apple Refreshes Mac Laptops: Pro, Vanilla, & Air All Get New CPUs
Source: Apple
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Rookierookie - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
Well, the 256GB Surface Pro is the same price as the cheaper model, type cover included. The price for the more expensive model will buy you the 16GB/512GB version of the Surface Pro 6.Sttm - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
I'm not to favorable of the Surface Pro's RAM either, but at least the Surface Pro is a tablet with a stylus and serves that professional use case for a niche market. Where as a plain Laptop like MBP should really offer a solid 16gb of RAM to run demanding professional software well.TETRONG - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
..and no GPU either!Thanks for making that decision for everyone Apple. Great for Pro's, and who needs an 8750H... when this piddly-little 4 core 28 watt bullshit part will pad your margins. Asshats
PeachNCream - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
It'll work well in a coffee shop or collecting dust on a desk in a spare office room that no one in the family uses. Don't get wrapped up too much around the "pro" label. It's just another branding thing that's gotten as meaningless as slapping "gamer" on anything inside a desktop PC case. Apple is just appealing to a certain less aware population segment using misconceptions about how little a certain term actually means.not_anton - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
Apple’s professional machines never costed $1200. Take a $3000 budget and you would buy an excellent working companion.For $1200 you will get an excellent screen and good performance in non-demanding apps.
znd125 - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
Isn't the higher end's i5 the i5-8279U?bji - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
That's too bad. I will never buy a laptop with a ridiculous touchpad taking the place of real keys, so I suppose I'll be stuck on my 2012 retina Macbook Pro forever ... or at least until Apple comes to their senses or sheds their hubris. Who am I kidding, that will never happen ...Skeptical123 - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
Can people like you hear themselves? (Apologies if this is a satirical post. In regards to flat earth / no earthers )bji - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link
Are you kidding? You are comparing me to flat earthers because I prefer real keys to flat LCD touch pads and am expressing my opinion about that both in this post and by buying only products that meet my requirements?plewis00 - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link
I don’t blame you. Horrendous totally integrated PCBs on the latest MacBook Pro’s and a butterfly-switch keyboard that is destined to fail in normal use. It’s as though they want these to break quickly and be disposable...