After what felt like an incredibly long wait, Apple today officially unveiled its new MacBook lineup. While Apple was once known for simplicity, its latest MacBook lineup is just a tad confusing. In addition to new MacBook Pros with the oft-rumored Touch Bar, Apple also introduced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro and killed off the 11-inch model of the MacBook Air. Head below as we breakdown price points, specs, and more across Apple’s MacBook lineup…
MacBook Air
As expected, Apple today officially killed the 11-inch MacBook Air model. This means that, to get your foot in the door with a MacBook, your cheapest option is the entry-level MacBook Air, which comes in at $999. Here’s how the models breakdown:
Size:
- 2.96 pounds
- .68 inches thick at thicket point
Display
- 13.3-inch 1440 x 900
- One 3840 x 2160 external display
$999 MacBook Air
- 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
- Intel HD Graphics 6000
- 8GB memory
- 128GB PCIe-based flash storage
$1199 MacBook Air
- 1.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
- Intel HD Graphics 6000
- 8GB memory
- 256GB PCIe-based flash storage
Build-to-order upgrades:
- +$150 for bump to 2.2GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor (either tier)
- +$200 for increase to 512GB storage ($1199 tier only)
This means that the cheapest MacBook on the market is now the 13-inch MacBook Air. Previously, you could get an 11-inch MacBook Air for $899.
- Entry level price – $999
- Max-out price – $1549
12-inch MacBook
Apple’s 12-inch MacBook went untouched during today’s event, which was to be expected seeing that it was updated already earlier this year. Nevertheless, the models start at $1299:
Size:
- 2.03 pounds
- .51 inches thick at thickest point
Display
- 12-inch 2304 x 1440
- Supports one 3840 x 2160 external display at 30Hz
$1299 MacBook
- 256GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage1
- 1.1GHz dual-core
- Intel Core m3 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 2.2GHz
- 8GB memory
- Intel HD Graphics 515
$1599 MacBook
- 512GB PCIe-based onboard flash storage1
- 1.2GHz dual-core
- Intel Core m5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz
- 8GB memory
- Intel HD Graphics 515
Apple’s 12-inch MacBook lineup is relatively simple in comparison to its others, but you’re still paying a premium for that ultra-slim design. Some have questioned that the new 13-inch MacBook Pro might be a better and more reasonable option…
13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar
Somewhat interestingly, Apple is offering a 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new, slimmer design but without the Touch Bar technology. Presumably, Apple is doing this in order to offer budget-focused customers a somewhat more affordable machine that still offers modern specs.
Size
- 3.02 pounds
- .59-inches thick
Display
- 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600
- Supports one 5K external display or two simultaneous 4K internal displays
$1499 MacBook Pro
- 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
- 8GB 1866MHz memory
- 256GB PCIe-based SSD
- Intel Iris Graphics 540
- Backlit Keyboard (English) & User’s Guide
- Two Thunderbolt 3 ports
Build-to-order upgrades
- + $300 for 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
- + $200 for 16GB RAM
- + $200 for 512GB SSD or $600 for 1TB SSD
The 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar offers a more affordable option for budget-focused consumers, but it can get pricey quickly depending on the upgrades you make.
- Entry level price: $1499
- Max-out price: $2599
13-inch MacBook Pro (2015)
Sticking around is the last-generation MacBook Pro at its same price point. This model offers the most affordable way to get a MacBook with the “Pro” moniker.
$1299 MacBook Pro
- 2.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz
- 8GB 1866MHz memory
- 128GB PCIe-based SSD
- Intel Iris Graphics 6100
- Backlit Keyboard (English) & User’s Guide
- Two Thunderbolt 2 ports
Build-to-order upgrades
- + $100 for 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
- + $200 for 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz
- + $200 for 16GB of RAM
- + $200 for 256GB SSD
- + $400 for 512GB SSD
- + $800 for 1TB SSD
Like most of the Mac lineup, the price gets more pricey as you add more specs…
- Entry level price – $1299
- Max out price – $2599
13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
The star of the show is without a doubt the new MacBook Pros with Touch Bar. The Touch Bar replaces the transitional function row keys in favor of a new touchscreen that displays commonly used quick actions. Apple’s MacBook Pros are pricier than last time, though, so you’re certainly paying for that Touch Bar:
Size
- 3.02 pounds
- .59-inches thick
Display
- 13.3-inch 2560 x 1600
- Supports one 5K external display or two simultaneous 4K internal displays
$1799 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
- 8GB 2133MHz memory
- 256GB PCIe-based SSD1
- Intel Iris Graphics 550
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Build-to-order upgrades
- + $100 for 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
- + $200 for 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
- + $200 for 16GB RAM
$1999 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz
- 8GB 2133MHz memory
- 512GB PCIe-based SSD
- Intel Iris Graphics 550
- Backlit Keyboard (English) & User’s Guide
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Build-to-order upgrades
- + $100 for 3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
- + $200 for 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
- + $200 for 16GB RAM
- + $400 for 1TB SSD
You’re certainly paying for the Touch Bar and for storage with the 13-inch MacBook Pro, but it packs a lot of punch for its size and is Apple’s most powerful 13-inch option.
- Entry level price: $1799
- Max-out price: $2899
15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
The 15-inch MacBook Pro is the same story as the 13-inch model, but its larger size gets you dedicated graphics and more power overall, but also a higher price.
Size
- 4.02 pounds
- .61 inches thick
Display
- 15.4-inch 2880 x 1800 display
- Supports up to two 5K displays simultaneously or four 4K displays
$2399 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
- 16GB 2133MHz memory
- 256GB PCIe-based SSD1
- Radeon Pro 450 with 2GB memory
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Build-to-order upgrades:
- + $300 for 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
- + $200 for 512GB SSD
- + $600 for 1TB SSD
- + $1400 for 2TB SSD
- + $200 for Radeon Pro 460 with 4GB memory
$2799 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
- 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
- Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz
- 16GB 2133MHz memory
- 512GB PCIe-based SSD1
- Radeon Pro 455 with 2GB memory
- Four Thunderbolt 3 ports
- Touch Bar and Touch ID
Build-to-order upgrades:
- + $200 for 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
- + $400 for 1TB SSD
- + $1200 for 2TB SSD
- + $100 for Radeon Pro 460 with 4GB memory
The 15-inch MacBook Pro quickly becomes one of the most powerful laptops you can get on the market, but as you can see, it also quickly becomes one of the most expensive laptops on the market.
- Entry level price: $2399
- Max-out price: $4299
Wrap up
Apple’s new MacBook lineup is certainly more complex than it has been in a while, but there seems to be something that pleases everyone. Unless, of course, you’re looking for a machine under $1000, which is only available in the 13-inch MacBook Air at this point.
Nevertheless, the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros take design cues from the 12-inch model, add the Touch Bar, and add some serious power on the inside. It gets pricey fast, but you get a decent amount of power for that price.
What MacBook did you buy today? Let us know in our poll here.
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