Apple refreshes MacBook Pro with six-core processors, 32GB of RAM

Posted:
in macOS edited July 2018
Apple's MacBook Pro refresh features up to six-core processors, a 32GB of RAM option, a True Tone display on some models, and a new quieter third-generation keyboard.




Apple has updated the MacBook Pro with faster performance and new pro features. The new MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar feature 8th-generation Intel Core processors, with six-core on the 15-inch model for what Apple claims is up to 70 percent faster performance.

Also in the refresh are quad-core options for the 13-inch model for up to two times faster performance. Additional updates include support for up to 32GB of memory, a True Tone display and an improved third-generation keyboard for quieter typing.

"The latest generation MacBook Pro is the fastest and most powerful notebook we've ever made," said Phil Schiller, Apple's Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. "Now with eighth-generation 6-core processors, up to 32GB of system memory, up to 4TB of super fast SSD storage, new True Tone technology in its Retina display and Touch Bar, the Apple T2 chip for enhanced security and a third-generation quieter keyboard packed into its thin and light aluminum design with all-day battery life, it's the best notebook for pro users."




Also new to the MacBook Pro is the Apple T2 chip, first introduced in iMac Pro. With the Apple T2 chip, the MacBook Pro now has enhanced system security with support for secure boot and on-the-fly encrypted storage, and also brings "Hey Siri" to the Mac for the first time.

Apple notes that the new keyboard is quieter, but the key travel has not changed. However, it has at present said nothing about reliability, which was a major sticking point for the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models.

Prices for the 13-inch model with a 2.3 GHz dual-core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage remain at $1299 for the 13-inch MacBook Pro with function keys. The function key models were not updated at all.

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Touch Bar now have Bluetooth 5.0.

Apple is retaining LPDDR3 RAM on the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It has shifted to DDR4 RAM on the 15-inch MacBook Pro refresh, to accommodate the new 32GB model. It isn't clear at this time what that will do to battery life.

Intel has still yet to ship a processor suitable for the MacBook Pro with LPDDR 4 compatibility.

The battery on the 13-inch model has increased to 58.0 watt-hours, with the 15-inch growing to 83.6 watt-hours likely to accommodate the more power-hungry DDR4 RAM -- but Apple has not changed the estimates for battery life as of yet.




The updated 2.3GHz quad-core i5 Touch Bar-equipped 13-inch MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage retails for $1799.

Two new base models of the 15-inch MacBook Pro are available, with the 2.8GHz quad-core i7 model with 256GB of storage and the Radeon Pro 555X GPU selling for $2399, and one with a 2.9GHz processor, 512GB of storage, and the Radeon Pro 560X GPU selling for $2799.

Maxed out with a 2.6GHz six-core processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 4TB SSD, the 15-inch MacBook Pro retails for $6699.

The function key-equipped 13-inch models remain available for pickup at Apple stores as soon as Thursday afternoon. The rest of the configurations are shipping in one to three business days.

Those looking to save on the new 2018 MacBook Pro can also take advantage of sales tax incentives at various Apple authorized resellers. B&H, which collects sales tax only in New York and New Jersey*, is currently accepting pre-orders for all new MacBook Pros. Pricing and availability can be found in our 2018 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar Price Guide and Mid 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro Price Guide.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 236
    Awesome!  Now bring on the Mac Mini refresh!
    netmagewilliamlondonravnorodomlarz2112mike54Alex1Nbala1234
  • Reply 2 of 236
    DuhSesameDuhSesame Posts: 1,278member
    Finally.  How’s the keyboard?
    williamlondon
  • Reply 3 of 236
    vukasikavukasika Posts: 102member
    So glad I held out for the update rather than buy a new MacBook Pro last week. I am very pleased with this update. I’m actually a fan on the low travel keyboard and touch bar. So the typical issues folks have are not frustrating me in the least. 
    chiaSoliemoellerjony0patchythepirateAvieshekwatto_cobrachasm
  • Reply 4 of 236
    blastdoorblastdoor Posts: 3,239member
    NICE!
    Avieshek
  • Reply 5 of 236
    slurpyslurpy Posts: 5,382member
    Woah, out of nowhere! Awesome update.
    lamboaudi4watto_cobraAlex1Npscooter63
  • Reply 6 of 236
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    I wonder what the difference between the Radeon 560X and previous generation 560 is?
    Avieshekwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 236
    pmb01pmb01 Posts: 25member
    Completely out of nowhere!
    Avieshekwatto_cobradoozydozen
  • Reply 8 of 236
    DuhSesameDuhSesame Posts: 1,278member
    Sounds like all of our bragging finally worth something, thank god.  If there’s no huge issue in keyboard then I think it’s finally back on track.
    williamlondonAvieshekwatto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 236
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,837administrator
    ascii said:
    I wonder what the difference between the Radeon 560X and previous generation 560 is?
    We don't know either, we're trying to find out.
    Avieshekwatto_cobraAlex1Ndoozydozen
  • Reply 10 of 236
    revenantrevenant Posts: 621member
    nice update, i just wish we saw face id come in it. dada needs a new computer.
    arlomediaclaire1bloggerblogwatto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 236
    larryjwlarryjw Posts: 1,031member
    The announcement and this product doesn't appear on the Apple site yet. Not really available?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 12 of 236
    Damn you Apple. Why did you put in 32GB? What will all the pretend haters who claim they run multiple VMs whine about now?
    chabiglkruppbrucemcchiaSoliRayz2016bshanksteven n.netmagewilliamlondon
  • Reply 13 of 236
    chabigchabig Posts: 641member
    Damn you Apple. Why did you put in 32GB? What will all the pretend haters who claim they run multiple VMs whine about now?
    It’s 2018 now. Everyone knows a machine can’t be “Pro” unless it ships with 64GB.
    bkkcanuckstompybrucemcgeorgie01chiaSolilamboaudi4dws-2steven n.netmage
  • Reply 14 of 236
    asciiascii Posts: 5,936member
    larryjw said:
    The announcement and this product doesn't appear on the Apple site yet. Not really available?
    It's there but you have to click right through to the "buy" page.
    watto_cobraAlex1N
  • Reply 15 of 236
    DuhSesameDuhSesame Posts: 1,278member
    chabig said:
    Damn you Apple. Why did you put in 32GB? What will all the pretend haters who claim they run multiple VMs whine about now?
    It’s 2018 now. Everyone knows a machine can’t be “Pro” unless it ships with 64GB.
    Hey, most custom build PC I know have less than 32GiB.
    watto_cobraAlex1N
  • Reply 16 of 236
    arcanineguyarcanineguy Posts: 7unconfirmed, member
    They did not update the non-touch bar 13 models... Kind of ridiculous to keep selling intel 7th gen and 8th gen models side-by-side. Well at least its saving me the urge to spend $1300. Better luck next year.
    edited July 2018 williamlondonaylk
  • Reply 17 of 236
    lkrupplkrupp Posts: 10,557member
    rhinotuff said:
    Awesome!  Now bring on the Mac Mini refresh!
    It’s coming but you won’t like it.
    lamboaudi4aylkwizard69Avieshekclaire1jony0Alex1Npscooter63doozydozen
  • Reply 18 of 236
    jimh2jimh2 Posts: 606member
    Damn you Apple. Why did you put in 32GB? What will all the pretend haters who claim they run multiple VMs whine about now?
    I do run multiple VM's and am not a hater. I have had pent up demand for 32GB for the last two years. I'd like to have seen some ports returned, but that is not that big a deal.
    williamlondonblastdoorandrewj5790AvieshekAlex1N
  • Reply 19 of 236
    DuhSesameDuhSesame Posts: 1,278member
    They did not update the non-touch bar 13 models... Kind of ridiculous to keep selling intel 7th gen and 8th gen models side-by-side. Well at least its saving me the urge to spend $1300. Better luck next year.
    It’s Tim.
    williamlondon
  • Reply 20 of 236
    DuhSesameDuhSesame Posts: 1,278member
    Looks like the Touch Bar didn’t change much other than swiping the button right way.  The escape key will still be taking away if you open something else.

    At least that means all my efforts in BetterTouchTool haven’t gone to waste, that’s not bad.
    edited July 2018 aylk
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