MacBook Pro 2016

At long last, here it is: the new MacBook Pro, available in Silver and Space Gray configurations, refreshed for the first time since May 2015. It's available with either a 13- or 15-inch display featuring a touch bar, simply called Touch Bar, replacing the row of function keys.

The Touch Bar was initially evidenced by a set of product photos leaked by Apple itself ahead of an official announcement and, in turn, discovered by MacRumors. Like the iPhone 7 before it, some rumors even suggested the death of the 3.5mm headphone jack, which was debunked on the Apple Campus stage.

MacBook Pro 2016 release date

While the non-Touch Bar, 13-inch MacBook released on October 27, both Touch Bar models were confirmed to ship "2 - 3 weeks" after their reveal.

We originally expected to see the new MacBook Pro 2016 at Apple's annual developer event, WWDC, this June. However, as reports had previously suggested, this year's conference focused primarily on introducing new software updates rather than hardware. New MacBook Pros took a backseat to macOS Sierra and iOS 10.

More recently, Apple's iPhone 7 event took place on September 7, the next candidate for a pair of new MacBooks to be announced. While there were no computers in sight at the iPhone event, shortly thereafter Apple CEO Tim Cook suggested we "stay tuned" for Mac developments.

The MacBook Pro 2016 was finally unveiled on October 27 at an Apple Special Event on the Apple Campus stage. The 15-inch version is 20% smaller than the previous model and weighs only four pounds. 

MacBook Pro 2016 price

There will be three different variants of the MacBook Pro 2016: 13-inch without a Touch Bar, 13-inch with a Touch Bar and a 15-inch model also with a Touch Bar. The vanilla 13-inch model will set you back $1,499 (£1,449, AU$2,199) while the touch bar-equipped model is priced at $1,799 (£1,749, AU$2,699).

The 15-inch MacBook Pro complete with discrete graphics runs for $2,399 (£2,349, AU$3,599). 

The 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro, tucked away apologetically at the foot of Apple's product page, surely wasn't long for this world; now after the updates only the older Retina 13-inch models stand in its wake. 

The 2015 editions of the 13- and 15-inch are still available for $1,299 (£1,249, AU$1,999) and $1,999 (£1,899, AU$2,999).

MacBook Pro 2016: Hello Thunderbolt 3, goodbye USB  ports

Apple has confirmed, in line with some rumors leading into the October event, up to four USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 ports will be present in place of traditional USB ports. 

Apple isn't sentimental about removing supposedly must-have features it deems redundant - the MacBook Pro lost its SuperDrive years ago - so it was only natural for the company to drop the MacBook Pro's other ports in favor of the newer standard. 

Not only that, but any of the four Thunderbolt 3 ports can be used to charge the device as well.

Fortunately, for analog audio fans, the headphone jack is still present despite the presence of two-to-four USB-C ports (depending on your configuration) and Bluetooth serving as alternatives.

MacBook Pro 2016: The magic of Touch Bar

One of the most interesting MacBook Pro rumors was that it would get a touchscreen and perhaps a detachable keyboard too. That's expecting a little much from Apple. 

Instead, there's a OLED Touch Bar that's essentially a long and skinny iPhone screen grafted onto the MacBook. Measuring  60 pixels high and 2,170 pixels wide, it grants quick-access to virtual controls while integrating a TouchID sensor for logging in and authenticating Apple Pay. 

What's more, it brings and adaptive control element to the tried-and-true MacBook formula that can also be used to navigate color swatches in Adobe Photoshop and embeds DJ controls for audio applications.

Apple has positioned the Touch Bar as an enticing compromise for those in pursuit of the classic MacBook Pro experience as well as those craving a touch-control interface seen on many Windows-powered 2-in-1 laptops.