That sales boost was partially due to the pandemic. Even before Apple released its new MacBook Pros, sales were up nearly 33% annually over that period. Since Apple began to update its laptops with new keyboards and chips, the Mac division has been on a roll, selling $26 billion worth in the most recent three quarters, which Apple CEO Tim Cook says is the company's 'three best quarters ever' in the Mac's nearly 40-year history. While the ultimate laptop processor speed crown is contested, it's clear that Apple's chips are good enough to send emails, browse the web, and even get some light gaming in.īut users who care less about the guts and specs inside their computers may find the new design - which does not depend on technological improvements over the past half decade - to be more convincing reasons to upgrade than the number of transistors in the M1 Max (57 billion, for the record). They use Apple's own M1 chips, either in 'Pro' or 'Max' configurations, instead of the same Intel or AMD chips Windows PCs use.Īpple's chips have led to improved battery life in computers they've shipped in, like the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air. The biggest advancement from Apple's perspective is the chip inside the new 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pros. It's replaced by traditional function keys that can control screen brightness, media playback, and a big escape key, which is important for programmers. The new design also has feet to prop up the laptop and improve airflow. Apple is no longer using Intel chips in its newest laptops, instead opting for its own silicon, which is designed to be power-efficient and not waste energy by giving off heat.

They use Apple's Magic Keyboard, which is a more traditional design that's deeper and has garnered positive reviews.It now uses a magnetic MagSafe connector to charge.

But the three Thunderbolt USB-C ports also have an HDMI port alongside them for connecting monitors, and a SD Card slot for downloading photos from a professional camera.

The new MacBook Pro models still use USB-C connectors, which have become an industry standard.

The laptops that Apple announced on Monday look more like the pre-2016 MacBook Pro:

Users and developers never embraced the Touch Bar, and touch typists complained you needed to look at it in order to pick a button.

The Intel chips insider Apple's MacBook Pros ran hot, making them uncomfortable to use on your lap.

Apple is still repairing butterfly keyboards for free, and even faced a class action lawsuit over them.

The butterfly keyboard was unreliable, with keys getting stuck due to crumbs or dust.

Users complained they needed pricey adapters to plug in mice or thumb drives, and missed Apple's older MagSafe connector, which ingeniously disconnected if someone tripped over the power cord.

Macbook pro 2017 13 inch recall