Macbook pro with to uch bar

Long-term verdict

Is this the Pro upgrade you’re waiting for?

$1,799 Manufacturer Apple, apple.com Features 2.9GHz dual-core Intel processor, Intel Iris 550 graphics, 8GB RAM, 256GB flash storage, 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports, Touch Bar

The last redesign of the MacBook Pro was four years ago, to accompany the addition of the Retina display. We had been anticipating another big refresh after this much time, and a similar new feature to match. The Touch Bar, a touchscreen along the top of the keyboard, replacing the Function keys, is definitely a flashy addition – and the range has got thinner and lighter again. But as an upgrade, is it up to the standard of the huge leap forward that Retina represented?

The 13-inch MacBook Pro we’re looking at here is the $1,799 model with Touch Bar, which includes a 2.9GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Graphics 550 graphics chip, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of flash storage, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports (as well as a headphone jack). There’s also a $1,999 model, but the only difference is that the more expensive model comes with 512GB of storage.

Let’s get straight into the Touch Bar. The adaptable strip changes to show different options depending on what you’re currently doing. In Finder, with a file selected, it shows options such as adding tags or invoking Quick Look. Switch to Pages and it shows formatting options when you select some text. Create a new table in your document, and it gives you options to add new rows or columns. When a system dialog appears, the options display on the Touch Bar, so you don’t need to reach for the trackpad. Every app can, and should, use it differently. Physically, it feels great to use. It has a supersmooth matt finish that’s different to the iPhone or Apple Watch’s glass. It’s great at resisting reflections to stay clear, though the screen quality is actually a little disappointing compared to the Apple Watch’s similar OLED screen. The pixels seem to sit quite deeply under the surface of the Touch