16-Inch MacBook Pro Returns to Pre-2016 Arrow Key Layout, Sticks With 720p Webcam and 802.11ac Wi-Fi

[lilkwarrior]

Clearly this is not a redesign, just a revision of the things Apple got wrong in the first place. I admit I desire the physical escape key, but it’s not enticing enough to merit an upgrade. I will hang onto my 2016 model until the new wi fi spec is introduced and I will wait to see how that micro led rumor turns out.

For recent Macbook owners, it makes no sense to upgrade to this until Wifi6 + the long-awaited super-retina upgrade of the Macbook (Miniled would be a bummer since it's beyond doubtful it'll be worth it or have enough zones to warrant not having an OLED option recent dark mode changes to the OS was tailored for)

 

[x-evil-x]

Without OLED or 120HZ Display, user experience basically will be the same as on previous MacBooks. What’s taking them so long?

You should know the answer. What gets people buying this model to buy another one in two years? It’s how a tech company works. Even if the product is ready releasing everything at once is bad for business.

 

[flexiboy1912]

No support for WIFI6 is pretty poor

 

[ersan191]

WiFi 6 would've been nice - don't care about the camera.

 

[lcseds]

I hope Apple will apply the same updates to the 13. I can't bring myself to drop over $2k to update my 2012 Macbook Pro 13 to a 16 just to get a reliable keyboard. I don't need a 16 and I refuse to drop $2k.

From a 2012 13" to a 2019 16" and the keyboard is all you think is better for your $2K?

 

[NoIdentity]

Yes. LOTS of people were

To be honest I much prefer the 2016 arrow key layout. I hated the small keys before and still do. I understand the cramming of up and down key it helps for the rest of the keyboard to be comfortable, but having the left and right full height made them, in my view, nicer to use. And I also find it more aesthetically pleasing, which is anyway of less importance.

I do however welcome the physical escape key, it was one of the things that I thought will have to be returned. And they did it!

 

[brofkand]

So glad to see them go back to a traditional keyboard. I wish they'd go back to F-keys though. I don't care for the touch bar at all, it is completely inefficient for me.
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From a 2012 13" to a 2019 16" and the keyboard is all you think is better for your $2K?

Many people who buy Macs nowadays could be just as well off with a Chromebook, so yeah.

 

[HarryWild]

Is the entire screen size increase coming from the smaller bezels or did they make the laptop slightly larger physically? I'm hoping they kept it the same size, because the 15" Macbook Pro is the perfect size already for me!

Apple increase the size slightly like 3/8” longer and 1/8” thicker for the 16” model!

 

[audiomatt]

I'm suuuuper excited here. 8 cores? That'll be amazing.

I just wish we had function keys... AND A TOUCH BAR. That would be pro heaven..

 

[dynamojoe]

Order placed. Woohoo!

 

[Plutonius]

I'm suuuuper excited here. 8 cores? That'll be amazing.

I'm waiting for all the threads now on thermal throttling in the 16" .

There are only so many ways to dissipate heat in the Macbook Pro form factor.

 

[mannyvel]

There is an Ethernet port, right?

Nope, usb-c and wifi only. There hasn't been a full-sized ethernet port on a macbook pro in years.

 

[GtrDude]

It's beyond lame to force the Touch Bar on us.
All in the name of saving a few dollars just so they can have one model in the production lines.
I will never get an Apple laptop with the Touch Bar.
When my trusty 2014 MB Air is done I'll just go to Windows machines this is ridiculous.

Well, at least with these new non-scissor keyboards we're back to the imprecise typing again.

 

[code-m]

Doesn't make sense that the 13-inch retains the wider bezels and now looks older in comparison. Why not launch a 14-inch along with the 16-inch is beyond me.

The 14” model will be released sometime in 2020. This is not the first time Apple has staggered display sizes in the past by a few months. Something tells me that is possibly due to components and a lot of new hardware being released so close to each other a issue Apple may or may not have control over.

Wifi 6 may be unlocked via a firmware update this is something Apple has also done in the past, only one was to confirm is once it is taken apart and confirmed.

Solid update IMHO, n out a fan of the TB but it is not the end of the world either, hopefully Apple gets enlightened and reintroduces a SDXC slot and possibly an innovative MagSafe USB-C port. Once that happens Apple is back to where it should have been in 2016. Higher refresh rate would be nice but whatever make it an option along with the Nano coating of the Display XDR. Almost perfect, looking to pick up a 14” in 2020.

 

[HarryWild]

EDIT: Rep was confused about my return eligibility. I actually missed the window haha. Oh well, I'll hang on to this one for a few years and then upgrade.

Today's my last day to return the 15" I bought. I didn't want to wait for the 16" since the price was expected to be significantly higher. Is it worth the exchange or should I just hang on to the 15"?

16” alot better in every way!

 

[mistasopz]

720p?? My Chromebook has a better camera at a small fraction of the price.

 

[myscrnnm]

Totally disagree. I have no idea why the moved away from the inverted-T layout to begin with. For blind-typing, the inverted-T is much easier to navigate to quickly. Glad they realized the error of their ways and corrected this.

The arrow keys are in the corner of the keyboard. It’s not that hard to find blind.🙄

 

[Plutonius]

I wish they'd go back to F-keys though.

I agree.

I also wish they would go back to floppy drives.

 

[MacD]

• Unsurprisingly, given its new scissor mechanism keyboard, TechCrunch's Matthew Panzarino notes that the 16-inch MacBook Pro is not included in Apple's repair program for Macs with butterfly keyboards. Hopefully this means Apple is confident the keyboard is truly more reliable.

Unsurprisingly, given its not an iMac, it will not be covered by the iMac repair program from 2014.

I sometimes wonder why some things are noteworthy while other things are not.

 

[Peza19]

Not a bad update, and at least they kept the starting price the same. It’s impressive it can have 8 TB of storage too. WiFi 6 would have been nice though, I wonder if the next iPad Pro refresh will beat it to WiFi 6?

 

[liberte1776]

They could make them touch-physical keys with displays on them to vary the function...

So glad to see them go back to a traditional keyboard. I wish they'd go back to F-keys though. I don't care for the touch bar at all, it is completely inefficient for me.
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Many people who buy Macs nowadays could be just as well off with a Chromebook, so yeah.

 

[GtrDude]

Pretty decent update considering previous ones. Would have liked:

-120hz+ refresh rate
-More powerful GPU
-Better thermals (although re-designed they look insignficant, we'll see)
-Even thinner bezels
-No touch bar
-Better webcam
-Wifi 6
-FaceID

YES. To all you said. Especially the No Touch Bar

 

[HarryWild]

512gb SSD in the base 16" is VERY generous of Apple for once

These are fazing out the lower capacities like 120, 256 GB SSDs. Apple has to offer the cheapest and 522GB is dirty cheap $100 wholesale and for Apple, $50 for a M.2 NVMe SSD!

 

[ksec]

Questions,

Are these the exact same Magic Keyboard and Scissors used in the iMac Pro Magic Keyboard?

Are the Touch Bar exactly the same ( apart from Touch ID and ESC Key ) or are there any improvements, in terms of reliability and responsiveness.

Does Navi Support Metal Compute?

 

[jterp7]

YES. To all you said. Especially the No Touch Bar

lack of a true display update but i suppose theyre saving that for next gen. Either oled (or better contrast led) or 120hz wouldve been nice also