All articles tagged with #touch bar
Apple's "Scary Fast" event showcased the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, an updated iMac with the M3 chip, and the discontinuation of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar. The benchmark results for the M3 chip showed significant CPU performance improvements, and a buyer's guide was provided for those interested in purchasing the new MacBook Pro or iMac models.
Apple has fully discontinued the Touch Bar on all new MacBooks, marking the end of its seven-year run. The Touch Bar, introduced in 2016, was part of a controversial redesign that removed physical function and Esc keys. Despite initial hype, the Touch Bar was not popular enough to stick around. It was gradually phased out, with the final model, the 13-inch MacBook Pro, now discontinued. The Touch Bar may still be found on refurbished models, but there is no firm evidence of its return in the future.
Apple has unveiled the new 14" and 16" MacBook Pro models featuring the M3 chips. The entry-level 14" model replaces the 13" M1 MacBook Pro and removes the Touch Bar. The laptops come in a Space Black color option and offer improved battery life. The 14" model features a notch, Liquid Retina XDR display, and AV1 decode. All models include Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, SD card reader, and MagSafe connector. Prices start at $1,599 for the base model and pre-orders are now available.
Apple has added the 2017 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar to its list of "Vintage Products," meaning it may no longer have parts available for repair. This comes after Apple confirmed that the model will not receive macOS 14. The 2017 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is now considered vintage, while the version without Touch Bar still has another year before it makes the list. These laptops will only receive security patches going forward. The only MacBook with a Touch Bar currently available is the 13-inch version with the M2 chip.
Apple is reportedly planning to release an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro alongside other new Macs, including a larger 15-inch MacBook Air, a new 24-inch iMac, and a Mac Pro tower powered by Apple silicon. The next 13-inch MacBook Pro is expected to be powered by Apple's M3 chip, but it's unclear if it will receive any external design changes or if it will remain the last new Mac that Apple sells with the Touch Bar. Updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips are expected to be released in the first half of 2024.