Apple 13-Inch MacBook Pro Adds Magic Keyboard, Falls Short Of Full Ice Lake CPU Makeover
The biggest change, however, is the move to Apple's Magic Keyboard, which uses butterfly-style switches instead of the hated and failure-prone scissor switches that the company first introduced back in 2015. This update means that all of Apple’s MacBooks -- starting with last year’s 16-inch MacBook Pro, and then proceeding to the refreshed MacBook Air -- now have the new Magic Keyboard design. All versions of the 13-inch MacBook Pro also now feature the Touch Bar along with a physical escape key.
One of the big changes rumored to be coming with this MacBook Pro refresh that didn't materialize is a larger display. It was widely expected that the MacBook Pro's display would increase in size from 13 inches to 14 inches, similar to how its larger sibling went from 15 inches to 16 inches last year. Instead, we get the same 13-inch display with a resolution of 2560x1600 and a 500 nits brightness rating.
And while Apple has introduced Intel's 10th generation Ice Lake-based processors with this refresh, it's not an across-the-board upgrade. Entry-level and mid-range systems will still come with 8th generation Core processors and miss out on the CPU and GPU improvements found in Intel's 10th generation offerings. It's not until you get to the high-end model (which starts at $1,799) that you've offered a 10th generation 2GHz Core i5 processor. A 2.3GHz Core i7 is offered as a standalone $200 option.
Standard storage has been doubled from a 128GB to 256GB SSD, while you can configure system with up to 4TB. 8GB of memory is standard, while opting for 16GB adds $100. However doubling memory again to 32GB is a $400 upgrade. Fully decked out with the Core i7 CPU upgrade, 32GB of RAM and 4TB SSD, the 13-inch MacBook Pro will cost you $3,599. Even at that price, you're still only getting Wi-Fi 5, instead of the now commonplace Wi-Fi 6.
Apple's new 13-inch MacBook Pro family is available to purchase today starting at $1,299.
