The lineup of 13-inch MacBook Pro has been given a refresh, with Apple unveiling updates overnight. Adding double the storage, faster graphics, new processors, faster memory, and more. But they also gain the new Magic Keyboard offering a more enjoyable and reliable typing experience.
Apple has been updating its lineup of notebook computers over the past number of months. Beginning with the unveiling of a 16-inch MacBook Pro (replacing the 15-inch). More recently, updating the MacBook Air with new features and lower pricing. And now, updates to the 13-inch MacBook Pro lineup.
“Whether you’re a college student, a developer, or a creative pro, the 13-inch MacBook Pro delivers powerful performance, a stunning Retina display, and all-day battery life in our most portable pro notebook. Today we’re adding the new Magic Keyboard, doubling the standard storage, and boosting performance, making the 13-inch MacBook Pro an even better value for our customers,”
Tom Boger, Apple’s senior director of Mac and iPad Product Marketing.
Many of the additions are internal hardware, with no major changes to design other than the new Magic Keyboard. All models get the new keyboard and still feature a 13-inch Retina Display, Touch Bar and Touch ID and so on. However, standard configurations now come with double storage. While some models feature 10th-generation processors for up to 80% faster graphics performance.
Changes
A summary of changes and additions includes:
- double the storage of the previous generation, with standard storage starting at 256GB up to 1TB, configurable up to 4TB!
- up to 10th-generation quad-core Intel Core processors with Turbo Boost speeds of up to 4.1GHz
- integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics deliver up to 80% faster performance over the previous generation 13-inch MacBook Pro for 4K video editing, faster rendering, and smoother gameplay
- 16GB of faster 3733MHz memory on selected models. Configurable up to 32GB of memory
- Retina display with more than 4 million pixels and millions of colours, 500 nits of brightness, and support for the P3 wide colour gamut
New Magic Keyboard
Perhaps the most significant and biggest visual change is the keyboard, with Apple implementing the new Magic Keyboard. This type of keyboard features a redesigned scissor mechanism with 1mm of key travel for a comfortable and stable key feel. While the new inverted-“T” arrangement for the arrow keys makes them easier to find.
Magic Keyboard also features a physical Escape key, along with Touch Bar and Touch ID. Enabling secure authentication and payments with Apple Pay.
Pricing and Release
In Australia, 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020-release) models are priced starting at a Recommended Retail Price of A$1,999. University students and teachers of all educational institutes can save even more with pricing starting at just A$1,849. Special educational pricing is available from Apple online store for Education.
Recommended Retail Pricing on all standard configurations is as follows:
| Configuration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1.4GHz quad-core processor Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz, 256GB storage, Touch Bar and Touch ID | A$1,999 |
| 1.4GHz quad-core processor Turbo Boost up to 3.9GHz, 512GB storage, Touch Bar and Touch ID | A$2,299 |
| 2.0GHz quad-core processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, 512GB storage, Touch Bar and Touch ID | A$2,999 |
| 2.0GHz quad-core processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz, 1TB storage, Touch Bar and Touch ID | A$3,299 |
All standard and configurable configurations can be ordered from Apple’s online store. All orders include fast, free delivery and 14-day returns.
