MacBook Pro

Here’s another clue that Apple might be launching new Macs at WWDC

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 30, 2017

Shipping times for Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar have slipped from same day to 3-5 business days in many countries. Deliveries have been conveniently pushed to June 6 or later in the United States, just a day after Apple's WWDC keynote, indicating refreshed models might be unveiled during the keynote.

Delivery estimates for the 15-inch MacBook Pro models have slipped to June 6 or later in other markets, too, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Singapore and Spain.

Shipping times for the 13-inch MacBook Pro models have not changed, MacRumors reports.

Bloomberg recently reported that Apple could upgrade its Mac notebook lineup at WWDC next month with faster Intel chips and updated internal architecture.

Intel in January unveiled new Kaby Lake processors that could be appropriate for the 13-inch MacBook Pro models. Earlier today at Computex in Taipei, the chip giant announced a new Core X chip brand, including a new Core i9 desktop processor line with up to 18 cores and 36 threads of power.

Bloomberg: upgraded MacBook lineup coming at WWDC next month

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 16, 2017

Upgraded MacBook Pro models along with a second-generation twelve-inch MacBook Air with a faster Intel chip and possibly a refreshed MacBook Air are all reportedly coming at Apple's annual conference for app developers next month.

Bloomberg claimed Tuesday that MacBook Pro will get a faster Intel Kaby Lake processor. A new version of the current twelve-inch MacBook would pack in a faster Intel chip, too.

It should be noted that the Mac maker hasn’t announced new hardware at WWDC since 2013, when it launched Mac Pro and updated MacBook Air.

Apple and Intel declined to comment.

Here's a brief overview of the rumored MacBook upgrades:

MacBook Pro—The same looks as the latest model, but with Intel's faster Kaby Lake chips and updated internal architecture. It's unclear if Apple's rumored internally designed ARM-based chip for managing low-power mode is part of the new models. 12-inch MacBook—Last updated in spring 2016 with a rose gold color option, the ultra-thin machine will get a faster Intel chip. MacBook Air—Apple's cheapest laptop has not received a speed boost since 2015, but its sales remain “surprisingly strong”. The company “has considered updating” the MacBook Air notebook with a new processor.

Fun fact: it's been almost seven years since Apple last redesigned the popular Air.

In the March quarter, Apple sold 4.2 million Mac desktops and notebooks, generating fourteen percent more revenue on these systems than in the year-ago quarter.

Previously, it pledged to release a modular Mac Pro system, all-new pro displays, refreshed Mac mini models and major upgrades to its all-in-one iMac desktop with better specifications.

As mentioned, the upgraded Mac notebook lineup may be announced during Apple's WWDC keynote, which takes place on Monday, June 5, at 10am Pacific Time.

Asides from previews of the next major versions of iOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS, Tim Cook & Co. may provide other updates during the keynote address, including announcements related to the company's rumored AI-driven Siri smart speaker, 10.5-inch iPad Pro model, 4K-capable Apple TV and the discontinuation of the iPad mini lineup.

How to navigate Safari tabs with your Mac keyboard

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated January 29, 2025

Master your Safari experience on Mac by learning how to switch between your multiple open tabs using keyboard shortcuts.

Satechi’s new hub gives your MacBook Pro ports for USB, 4K HDMI, SD/microSD & more

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2017

Popular Apple accessory maker Satechi today launched a sleek and compact hub that adds a bunch of missing ports to your MacBook Pro (late-2016 model), including two USB 3.0 ports (so you can charge your iOS devices without having to purchase a new cable), an HDMI port with support for 4K video output, a pair of SD/microSD memory card readers and more.

The hub has two Thunderbolt 3 dongles that take up both USB-C ports of the new MacBook Pros with Touch Bar (don't worry, you also have an additional passthrough Thunderbolt 3 port).

Here's a quick overview of all the ports on this hub:

Thunderbolt 3 (1x)—Data transfer speeds up to 40 Gb/s are supported. In addition, the port supports a single 5K display or two 4K external displays at 60Hz with passthrough charging for 13 (61W) and 15-inch (87W) MacBook Pro models HDMI (1x)—Video output in 1080p at 60Hz or 4K at 30Hz is supported USB 3.0 (2x) and USB-C (1x)—Transfer speeds of up to 5 GB/s are supported SD/microSD (1x)—Transfer speeds of up to 104 MB/s are supported

And now, watch Satechi's promotional video for the device.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTq9PorggHY

Priced at $100, the aluminum-clad Type-C Pro Hub is compatible with both Touch Bar and non-Touch bar MacBook Pro models. As a bonus, Satechi is offering these in two finishes, Silver and Space Gray, to complement your notebook.

You can buy the new Type-C Pro Hub starting today on Amazon..

Apple apparently working on additional MacBook Pro models without Touch Bar

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 13, 2017

Thom Holwerda, managing editor of OSnews, heard from “people and sources who know their stuff” that Apple's been working on additional MacBook Pro models without TouchBar. Sources claim the decision to develop new MacBook Pros sans Touch Bar was made because Apple was taken aback by harsh criticism that professional users leveled at the latest MacBook Pro models.

Now that Apple has stopped discounting USB-C accessories, check out these cheaper alternatives

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 1, 2017

It was fun while it lasted: the age of Apple's discounted USB-C adapters and dongles is over as of today. But don't you worry as we just updated our roundups of cheaper USB-C adapters and USB-C cables from third-party vendors that you may need for your new MacBook Pro.

Following complaints from customers regarding the need for various dongles, Apple temporarily discounted many USB-C peripherals sold in its stores as a way to assuage their concerns. The limited-time deals were supposed to end on December 31, 2016 but the company extended the price cuts until March 31, 2017.

Apple wants to zero in on ‘Pro’ segment, but what about the large majority?

Steffen Reich ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

In a statement warmly welcomed by us internet folk, Tim Cook recently proclaimed "you will see us do more in the pro area." In our circles, this is unquestionably good news, as we all foster an insatiable appetite for new innovations, be that on a hardware or software level. More pro is great, however I invariably had to spare a thought for the average, not-so techy Apple customer.

I’m talking about the type of customer that after owning their iPhone 6S for more than a year, still has little concept of what 3D Touch does. Or how about the one that loves their new MacBook, but will gaze at you with a stunned expression when you introduce them to Force Touch on their trackpad. This is by no means meant to sound snarky or patronizing, because as a matter of fact, I don’t blame them for not knowing - I blame Apple for failing to take everyone along for the ride due to poor communication.

Shifting up the ‘Pro’ a notch in the future sounds great, that said how do you straddle the line between pleasing us tech-warriors and not entirely overwhelming a large majority of users, a majority already only privity to roughly half of the juicy features on their devices? Apple needs to find some cogent answers to this issue, and rather than creating a two-tier system in their hardware sold (labelling only some products 'Pro'), I contend that software could be the key.

The Mujjo Sleeve looks classy and keeps your Mac notebook safe as you travel

Anthony Bouchard ∙ February 10, 2017

If you bring your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with you everywhere you go, then you should consider protecting your expensive investment with some kind of sleeve.

Because the outside world can be a lot rougher than the comfort and safety of your home computer desk, Mujjo makes classy protective sleeves that will fit every one of Apple’s notebooks. In this review, we’ll be showing you the Mujjo Sleeve for the 15” MacBook Pro.

Microsoft previews Touch Bar support in Office for Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 8, 2017

Microsoft was one of the companies mentioned during Apple's “Hello again” Mac event last October as working on implementing support for Touch Bar shortcuts in their productivity apps.

Today, the Windows maker launched a preview of Touch Bar shortcuts on the new MacBook Pro available across its suite of Office apps. Beginning this week, users on Microsoft's beta program, dubbed Office Insider, will be able to test the new Touch Bar support across Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook for Mac.

References to next-generation MacBook Pros with Kaby Lake chips found in Sierra code

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2017

A developer-only preview of what would become the macOS Sierra 10.12.4 software update references a total of eight next-generation MacBook Pro models with the latest Kaby Lake processors from Intel. First discovered by the Apple-centric blog named Pike’s Universum, the code strings in question point to unused IDs for three motherboard identifiers. Aside from other improvements, the Kaby Lake platform enables lower power consumption while possibly bringing support for 32GB RAM.

How to turn on and use Touch Bar zoom

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 16, 2018

Visually impaired users who own Apple's MacBook Pro with Touch Bar may be pleased to learn that macOS provides a set of specialized Accessibility features that help people who are blind or have low vision enjoy the compelling features of Touch Bar. If you have difficulty seeing items in your Touch Bar, turning this feature on renders a larger Touch Bar on the main display. Other users should check out Touch Bar zoom, too.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to turn Touch Bar zoom on, increase or decrease the zoom level, select or split-tap an item on Touch Bar and use other specialized gestures.

Apple could slash prices of 13″ MacBook Pros without Touch Bar, replacing MacBook Air

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 17, 2017

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has called for updated MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks this year with Intel's latest Kaby Lake processors and a 32-gigabyte RAM option on 15-inch Pros. According to a Chinese-language Economic Daily News report cited by DigiTimes, Apple is likely to slash prices of 13-inch Pros without Touch Bar to increase its overall shipments in 2017.

Industry sources also claim that these more affordable 13-inch MacBook Pros without Touch Bar will eventually replace the 13-inch MacBook Air in Apple's notebook lineup.