MacBook Pro

This is how you turn the new MacBook Pro on and off

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 27, 2016

Apple today refreshed its Mac notebook lineup with all-new 13 and 15-inch models that have Touch Bar and Touch ID in place of the hardware function keys row, among other new features. It's a stellar feature that I can't wait to use.

According to Apple, the Touch Bar is meant to replace the function keys “that have long occupied the top of your keyboard with something much more versatile and capable.” I'm sold on the new Touch Bar, but where did the dedicated Power button go and how exactly do you turn this thing on now?

Watch the videos from Apple’s ‘hello again’ event

Cody Lee ∙ October 27, 2016

Apple has posted various videos shown during today’s 'hello again' Mac event to its YouTube channel. Included are clips highlighting Apple's commitment to Accessibility features and various MacBook Pro demos and promotional spots.

Of course you can watch a replay of the entire event, so folks that completely missed the keynote this morning may want to do that. But if you just want to get to the meat of the big announcements, these videos are a great starting point.

New MacBook Pro starts at $1,499, some models available today

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple just announced pricing and availability information for its shiny new MacBook Pro. Apparently it will come in 3 models, starting at $1,499, and you can order them all today. Shipping times are different, however, depending on which model you're after.

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro is essentially a MacBook Air replacement. It shares the slimmer design and various internals with the new MacBook Pro, but it comes with physical Function keys instead of the Touch Bar, and doesn't have Touch ID.

No Escape key on your MacBook Pro? Sierra lets you remap its function to a modifier key

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 6, 2020

With less than 24 hours away until Apple's “Hello again” Mac event, images of an unreleased MacBook Pro found in the latest macOS Sierra 10.12.1 update have all but confirmed a rumored OLED touch bar replacing the row with hardware function keys.

The Internet immediately complained about the apparent loss of the hardware Escape key that seems to have fallen victim to these programmable OLED keys. While the OLED Bar could display a soft-Escape key in the left corner, users can now assign its function to one of the hardware modifier keys.

As Jeff Geerling first noted yesterday, the latest macOS 10.12.1 Sierra update now conveniently lets you remap an Escape action to a Caps Lock, Control, Option or Command modifier key—which wasn't possible in earlier macOS editions.

First look at the new MacBook Pro with Magic Toolbar and Touch ID

Cody Lee ∙ October 25, 2016

Here are the first pictures of Apple's new MacBook Pro. MacRumors spotted the images of what is believed to be the company's new laptop hidden within the just-released macOS Sierra 10.12.1 update, and we have no reason to believe otherwise.

The images appear to confirm the rumors that the refreshed MacBook Pro will feature an OLED touch bar, in place of the function keys, and Touch ID. The above photo shows how to use Touch ID to authenticate an online purchase via Apple Pay.

One more hint that the next MacBook Pro will have OLED touch bar

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 25, 2016

If you need another “proof” that the next MacBook Pro will indeed feature an OLED touch bar in place of the function key row, feel free to comb through system resources in the macOS Sierra 10.12.1 software update which released yesterday.

As first discovered by MacRumors reader Gabriel Lorin, the System Preferences assets for the Mac's virtual keyboard now come with refreshed image assets depicting an updated keyboard layout which no longer shows the standard row of function keys.

KGI: new MacBook Pros and 13″ MacBook next week, iMacs & 5K Cinema Display in 2017

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 22, 2016

According to revered Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, Apple's media event next Thursday will serve as a launchpad for a long-awaited update to the aging MacBook Pro notebook lineup, which will see “many” noteworthy upgrades.

Apple will also announce a brand new model of the new MacBook with a screen measuring thirteen inches diagonally, Kuo wrote in a note to clients.

Some observers think this machine is actually a thirteen-inch MacBook Air with new USB-C ports. As you know, the current Retina MacBook has a 12-inch Retina display.

Next-generation iMacs, as well as a rumored 5K resolution display won't be unveiled at the event because they're apparently not ready yet.

What Automatic Graphics Switching is on your MacBook Pro and how to use it

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 16, 2022

Depending on the model of MacBook Pro you have, you may be able to physically choose whether your computer uses the high-power discreet graphics card for better performance or the low-power integrated graphics chip for better battery life by using an option known as Automatic Graphics Switching.

The feature is only available on MacBook Pros which have two Graphics Processing Units (GPU). The reason it only exists on certain models of the MacBook Pro is not all Macs have dual GPUs. And desktop Macs don’t need this as they don’t rely on batteries and are connected to a power source all the time.

Here's more about Automatic Graphics Switching and how to enable it on your Mac.

Will Apple call next-gen MacBook Pro’s rumored OLED strip “Magic Toolbar”?

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 20, 2016

Apple is holding a media event on October 27 to unveil new Macs. Everyone is expecting the company to announce a next-generation MacBook Pro with a rumored OLED strip that would replace the physical function keys at the top of the keyboard with programmable shortcuts which would change from one app to another. But what could Apple call that rumored OLED touch bar?

According to trademark agent Brian Conroy who was able to uncover a trademark application that a shell company quite likely filed for on behalf for Apple, the feature could be marketed as “Magic Toolbar.”

Report: Apple planning to hold new Mac event October 27

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple will introduce new Macs at an event on October 27, reports Recode. Citing sources familiar with the company's plans, the outlet says that the event will likely take place at or near Apple's Cupertino campus, rather than its typical venue in San Francisco.

Recode doesn't specify exactly which Mac products we'll see, but most of Apple's laptop and desktop lines are due for an update. A report from Japanese blog Mac Otakara yesterday called for new 13" and 15" MacBook Pro models, and a refreshed 13-inch Air.

Report: new MacBook Pros, USB-C MacBook Airs coming this month

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

New MacBook Pros are still on for October, reports the often accurate Japanese site Mac Otakara. Citing a reliable source within Apple's supply chain, the outlet says the long-awaited refresh of the premium notebook line is still on schedule for this month.

In addition to the MacBook pro update, the site also says that the MacBook Air line is also getting a refresh. It expects Apple to drop the 11-inch model, to focus on the larger 13-inch version, and it will include USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 ports.

How to disable the fake clicking sound for MacBook trackpads

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated February 21, 2023

MacBook equipped with a Force Touch trackpad produces an audible ‘click’ sound in order to simulate the sound you would hear on a Mac without a Force Touch trackpad. It has no down travel and all you’re hearing is an audible sound when you click it. In this tutorial, we’ll talk about how to disable that fake clicking sound.