Hands-On With the New July 2019 13-Inch MacBook Pro

[MacRumors]

Apple earlier this month introduced a surprise update to its MacBook Pro line, overhauling the entry-level 13-inch machine to bring it in line with more expensive models that were updated back in May.

We went hands-on with the new MacBook Pro to take a look at the new features, including a Touch Bar, an updated processor, a new keyboard, and more.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

Prior to the update, the entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro hadn't been refreshed since 2017, so it was the last remaining MacBook Pro still using older keyboard technology that retained a row of function keys.

The new model replaces that row of function keys with a Touch Bar, bringing it in line with the rest of the MacBook Pro models. Other than that, physically, the new MacBook Pro looks much like the older model.

There is, however, an updated third-generation butterfly keyboard identical to the updated third-generation keyboard used in the May MacBook Pro refresh and the new 2019 MacBook Air.

This keyboard is made from updated materials with a new membrane that Apple says will cut down on failure rates that impact other earlier butterfly keyboards. MacBook Pro users should see fewer repeating and stuck keys, but the problem isn't entirely solved so these machines are already covered under Apple's keyboard repair program.

Internally, the new MacBook Pro is equipped with a 1.4GHz quad-core 8th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, a 128GB SSD, and it continues to offer two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left side of the machine rather than the four found in the more expensive MacBook Pro models.

At first glance, the 1.4GHz processor looks like it might be slower than the earlier models that were available, but in practice, it's speedier because of the newer technology and the fact that it's using a four-core chip rather than a two-core chip.

Our tests found that it's faster than the earlier equivalent MacBook Pro models and quicker than some of the older 15-inch MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar. It's not even too far off some of the current 15-inch MacBook Pros. The video in this article, which is 4K and about five minutes in length, took approximately 4 minutes to export.

The entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro promises 10 hour battery life, which seemed accurate in our testing. That number is, of course, going to drop for processor intensive tasks like video editing.

Price wise, the new MacBook Pro is the most affordable notebook in the MacBook Pro line, with pricing starting at $1,299. What do you think of the new entry-level MacBook Pro models? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Hands-On With the New July 2019 13-Inch MacBook Pro

 

[cult hero]

I think I really want to see what they do with the 16" model, haha. Because this refresh is only remarkable for the entry-level one anyway, it's "meh." The drop in storage prices are welcome and I am clearly not in the "oh no, I need function keys!" camp so... meh.

My hope is the next overhaul is similar to the Mac Pro in the sense that I think Apple might be getting the message that the MacBook Pro should not just be a glorified MacBook Air. While I really like my laptop, that's what it is—especially when compared to my wife's 2018 MacBook Air!

 

[AppleHaterLover]

Because this refresh is only remarkable for the entry-level one anyway, it's "meh." !

Which is the one most people are buying

 

[thadoggfather]

Even tho it’s a stop gap before redesign I think it’s pretty nice for the price + being apple

 

[BWhaler]

Same junk keyboard. But faster.


(That’s a hands-on review. What Macrumors wrote was a re-hash of the product spec, revealing nothing new.)

 

[1050792]

Same junk keyboard. But faster.


(That’s a hands-on review. What Macrumors wrote was a re-hash of the product spec, revealing nothing new.)

What makes you hate the keyboard so much?

 

[majinbatusaix]

Anyone run Blackmagic to test the SSD speed on these yet?

If you spec it out to 512gb SSD and 16GB ram it comes out to $1900 which sounds much better than $2200 for the slightly faster 2.4 i5 model, though you get an additional two thunderbolt 3 ports with that model. Thoughts?

 

[sundog925]

does anyone else besides Matt make videos for MR?

 

[apolloa]

A nice laptop upgrade, but that keyboard..... can’t be trusted at the moment...

 

[NickName99]

The keyboard has a 4 year warranty on it, which is longer than I’d keep any laptop, so I don’t see why people are still fussing over it. If it has a problem in a few years, Apple replaces the entire top case including the battery, so it’s a win.

 

[1146331]

What makes you hate the keyboard so much?

You're kidding right?

Apple makes nothing but **** keyboards now. Once they ditch the crap butterfly design they might have a computer worth buying.

 

[cardfan]

Thought about upgrading my early 2015 mpb. Heck I’m wondering what mine would go for since it has the better kb, glowing logo, MagSafe, etc. and that’s about when I get less enthused about it.

 

[lambertjohn]

You're kidding right?

Apple makes nothing but **** keyboards now. Once they ditch the crap butterfly design they might have a computer worth buying.

In my circle of professional writers, the butterfly keyboard is praised for its speed and accuracy. Personally, I love it. I can type 100 WPM without breaking a sweat. But in the beginning, I really hated it; it took a while to get used to it. Now, I wouldn't type on anything else...except maybe a ThinkPad.

 

[psymac]

Anyone run Blackmagic to test the SSD speed on these yet?

If you spec it out to 512gb SSD and 16GB ram it comes out to $1900 which sounds much better than $2200 for the slightly faster 2.4 i5 model, though you get an additional two thunderbolt 3 ports with that model. Thoughts?

Also dual fans rather than one.

 

[Envo]

Ok, everyone does the same tests boring synthetic tests, and that's all?

C'mon guys, grow some imagination...

Where is some pro audio test? (with or without Logic)

Where is some light gaming test?

Where is some heat test after that?

 

[BarredOwl]

I love the 2019 Butteryfly Keyboard. I’ll be sad to see it go if Apple starts using those really tall keys again. I can’t stand it when the darn keys are tall enough to to throw off my typing.

There’s no new Intel processors coming soon, so I just bought a maxed out 15” MBP to get me through the inevitable redesign problems with the fabled 16”. If the 16” ends up being the answer to everyone’s prayers, then I’ll buy it too.

 

[chucker23n1]

The keyboard has a 4 year warranty on it, which is longer than I’d keep any laptop, so I don’t see why people are still fussing over it.

Because you have to actually use it. (I don't know quite how bad it is — because of its reputation, I've been holding off on upgrading.)

Are you going to hand it in for repair the first time a key gets stuck or types double? No, because that means being without a $1k-$4k laptop for at least days, possibly two weeks. The repair program changes the cost equation and at least erases (hopefully?) the debate over whether it's your fault, but getting anything repaired is still a massive inconvenience. It's not like they can pop the faulty key off and replace it right at the Genius Bar.

If it has a problem in a few years, Apple replaces the entire top case including the battery, so it’s a win.

That's true, but it's silver lining at best.
[doublepost=1563837747][/doublepost]

Anyone run Blackmagic to test the SSD speed on these yet?

If you spec it out to 512gb SSD and 16GB ram it comes out to $1900 which sounds much better than $2200 for the slightly faster 2.4 i5 model, though you get an additional two thunderbolt 3 ports with that model. Thoughts?

That's a different model which hasn't actually been updated in July. The chassis, CPU class, ports, … are completely different.

 

[macfan57]

I'm not buying another MacBook Pro until they get rid of these damned butterfly keyboards and go back to scissors keyboards. I need a keyboard that is comfortable to type on (the butterfly keyboards are like typing on a piece of concrete) and reliable. It's not good enough that they've implemented a new keyboard repair program. I use my current 2015 MBP for my business and I can't afford to be down for a couple of days just because of a completely avoidable keyboard problem. This is 2019. We shouldn't have to fret over keyboards. Get a clue Apple!

 

[erinsarah]

The keyboard has a 4 year warranty on it, which is longer than I’d keep any laptop, so I don’t see why people are still fussing over it. If it has a problem in a few years, Apple replaces the entire top case including the battery, so it’s a win.

Just bought one (with the 500gb hard drive) this week for the daughter en route to college this fall. So yeah..that 4-year keyboard warranty is definitely a win since it will obviously last her through college.

So far no complaints, excepting of course the whole USB-C + Donglemania thing. But it's fast, good battery life, the touchID is a definite win, and I can see her really liking the touchbar.

On a related note anyone wanna buy a pair of Beats headphones? She really wanted AirPods.

 

[Jimmy James]

Same junk keyboard. But faster.

(That’s a hands-on review. What Macrumors wrote was a re-hash of the product spec, revealing nothing new.)

And still high price, even if cheaper.

 

[QCassidy352]

Everyone wants to talk about the keyboard, but I’m far more bothered by 128 gb on a $1300 laptop in 2019.

 

[Jimmy James]

What makes you hate the keyboard so much?

I dislike it because I don’t believe a high percentage of them will last for many years.

 

[1050792]

You're kidding right?

Apple makes nothing but **** keyboards now. Once they ditch the crap butterfly design they might have a computer worth buying.

I own a 2018 MBP 15" since release and the keyboard is amazing, the MBP has been drown in water, still working 100%...

 

[Gutwrench]

We went hands-on with the new MacBook Pro to take a look at the new features, including a Touch Bar, an updated processor, a new keyboard, and more.

Can we please add “hands-on” to ‘price point’ and ‘form factor’ as nauseating cliches and include them in the site’s word filter?

 

[randyhudson]

You're kidding right?

Apple makes nothing but **** keyboards now. Once they ditch the crap butterfly design they might have a computer worth buying.

Besides the mechanism being crap, the space between the keys is so much smaller it is harder to feel the edges of keys, making it easier to get off center or onto another key.