Macbook Pro Touch Bar Apps
The MacBook Pro's Touch Bar is a fascinating feature that allows you to interact with your MacBook like never before. To take the tool to a fun new level, consider one of the many third-party Touch Bar apps on the market. 1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = 1 trillion bytes; actual formatted capacity less. Testing conducted by Apple in April 2019 using preproduction 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5-based 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD; and preproduction 2.3GHz 8-core Intel Core i9-based 15-inch MacBook Pro systems with 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD. The MacBook Pro's Touch Bar isn't going anywhere, it seems. Dan Ackerman/CNET The MacBook Pro's Touch Bar can be a useful feature that puts common tasks opening a new tab in Safari at your fingertips.
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today released some interesting details about the upcoming MacBook Pro. Kuo describes this as the first major redesign of the laptop in five years, and will represent a significant upgrade over even the latest 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. The new MacBook Pro will feature 14-inch and 16-inch sizes and feature ARM Apple silicon instead of Intel CPUs.
However, Kuo shares some much more surprising tidbits, namely that the Touch Bar will be gone in favor of physical function keys, the MagSafe charging connector returns along with more built-in IO ports that mean most users will not need to purchase additional dongles according to Kuo …
The new chassis design is said to feature squared-off sides in both the top and bottom halves of the machine, joining the flat edge design trend started with the 2018 iPad Pro and adopted in the 2020 iPhone 12 series. (The new MacBook Pro series will of course feature Apple ARM CPUs, but Kuo does not share specifics about how the chip will fare performance-wise in today’s report.)
The Touch Bar is apparently entirely removed, with the new MacBook Pro simply offering a physical row of function keys. This is interesting in light of the fact that the low-end 13-inch M1 MacBook Pro was released last fall, and did come with a Touch Bar, although all of the first M1 Macs essentially featured identical hardware designs compared to the previous generation.
Apple heralded the Touch Bar as the future of the Mac input method when the 2016 MacBook Pro was unveiled, but the feature never really caught on or lived up to its potential. Many Mac users simply want physical keys they can feel with their fingers without looking down at a touch screen. Five years since its introduction, it seems Apple is listening to that feedback and the Touch Bar will be phased out from the MacBook lineup.
Kuo does not specify exactly what IO ports will be offered. The current high-end 13-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models feature four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, two on each side. For context, the pre-2016 models offered a SD card slot, HDMI and USB-A ports. USB-C ports are technically superior and can carry data at much higher bandwidth, but the fact the current MacBook Pro features USB-C exclusively typically means users have to buy and carry an array of dongles. Things like the SD card slot are much more elegant being built in.
Macbook Pro Touch Bar Application
One major advantage of the all-USB-C design was that customers can connect to power and charge their MacBook Pro with any port on either side of the machine. Kuo says that a MagSafe power connector is returning but does not mention if this means the ability to charge on the left or right will be lost. Note that the report explicitly specifies the return of MagSafe is via a magnetic power connector like MacBooks of old, and not some wireless inductive charging system like the iPhone 12’s “MagSafe”.
In summary, it sounds like Apple will be satisfying the demands of customers who miss — or maybe still use — the 2015 MacBook Pro with the return of more traditional IO ports, physical function keys and MagSafe for power. This traditional feature set will be encased in all-new external design, and of course the machines will be powered by blazing fast Apple-designed ARM chips. The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro is expected to debut in the third quarter of 2021.
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Touch Bar MacBook Pro FAQ @ EveryMac.com
Update Published December 12, 2020
Also see: MacBook Pro Specs | All Mac Q&As
EveryMac.com's 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro Q&A answers questions about the 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 MacBook Pro models that are crafted from a single piece of aluminum, have a 13-Inch, 15-Inch, or 16-Inch display, and have Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Most 13-Inch models (A1706, A1989, A2159, A2251, and A2289); all 15-Inch models (A1707, A1990); and all 16-Inch models (A2141); have a 'Touch Bar' that replaces the traditional function keys with a touch-sensitive control that adapts for different applications and provides Touch ID login support.
Even though early entry-level 13-Inch models (A1708) do not have a 'Touch Bar' -- and instead have traditional function keys -- EveryMac.com has grouped this model with the 'Touch Bar' line for the sake of Q&A reader convenience.
Questions range from 'What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models and the models replaced?' to 'How do you upgrade the storage in the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible?' and include everything in between.
Please note that 13-Inch '4 TB 3 2020' MacBook Pro and 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models are currently shipping. All other models have been discontinued, but this Q&A also covers them in detail.
The earlier 'Retina' MacBook Pro models do not have a name on the display bezel (they only say 'MacBook Pro' on the bottom of the notebook). They also have a full complement of ports.
These 13' and 15' notebooks are model numbers A1398, A1425 and A1502.
Later 13' MacBook Pro models (2020+) look practically identical, but use a completely different internal architecture. They can be identified by the A2338 model number.
EveryMac.com offers a separate 'Retina' MacBook Pro Q&A and Apple Silicon MacBook Pro Q&A that cover these earlier and later models, respectively.
Additionally, EveryMac.com has a separate 'Unibody' MacBook Q&A, 'Unibody' MacBook Pro Q&A and Original MacBook Pro Q&A, that cover even earlier models.
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Most Frequently Asked Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&As:
What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models and the 15-Inch '2019' models replaced?
How fast are the MacBook Pro 16-Inch '2019' models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?
What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models?
What are the major differences between the Intel MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models? Which is ideal for my needs?
Should I Get Touch Bar On Macbook Pro
What SSD storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch (2020) and 16-Inch (2019) MacBook Pro models? Which is best suited for my needs?
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?
What is Thunderbolt 3? What is the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3? What Thunderbolt 3 adapters and docks are available?
What type of power connector do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models use? Is it compatible with 'MagSafe' power connectors? Are third-party options available?
What is an eGPU? What is the advantage of an eGPU? Do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models support one? Which is best for me?
Software Compatibility Q&As:
What version of macOS is pre-installed on the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?
How do you install software on the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro without an optical drive?
How do you transfer data from an older Mac to a 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? Are adapters requred?
How do you restore the operating system on the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?
Can the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro run iPad apps?
Can the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro run Windows or Linux?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Current):
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models and the '2019' models replaced?
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch (2020) and 16-Inch (2019) MacBook Pro models? Which is best suited for my needs?
How fast are the 13-Inch '2020' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the 13-Inch models replaced?
What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models?
What are all the differences between the 16-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models and the 15-Inch '2019' models replaced?
How fast are the MacBook Pro 16-Inch '2019' models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?
What are the major differences between the Retina MacBook and 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?
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What are the major differences between the Intel MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models? Which is ideal for my needs?
What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (2019 - Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch '2019' MacBook Pro models?
What are all the differences between the '2019' MacBook Pro models and the 'Mid-2018' models replaced?
How fast are the '2019' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?
What are the major differences between the Retina MacBook and 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?
What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2018 - Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch 'Mid-2018' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the 'Mid-2018' MacBook Pro models and the 'Mid-2017' models replaced?
How fast are the 'Mid-2018' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?
What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Mid-2017 - Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch 'Mid-2017' MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?
What are all the differences between the 'Mid-2017' MacBook Pro models and the 'Late 2016' models replaced?
How fast are the 'Mid-2017' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced? How fast are they compared to the non-Pro MacBook?
What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?
Comparison & Performance Q&As (Late 2016 - Discontinued):
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models?
What are all the differences between the 13-Inch 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models? What are the differences between these models and the 'Early 2015' models replaced?
What are all the differences between the 15-Inch 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models? What are the differences between these models and the 'Mid-2015' models replaced?
How fast are the 'Late 2016' MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models replaced?
What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?
Upgrades & Expansion Q&As:
What custom processor options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Do they have a processor that can be upgraded?
What type of RAM do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models use? Which RAM upgrade options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the RAM?
What SSD storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?
What external storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? Are adapters required?
What is an eGPU? What is the advantage of an eGPU? Do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models support one? Which is best for me?
Battery, Power & Connectivity Q&As:
What is the 'real-world' battery life of the 'Late 2016' Touch Bar MacBook Pro models? How does the battery life compare to the models replaced?
What is the 'real-world' battery life of the 'Mid-2017' Touch Bar MacBook Pro models? How does the battery life compare to the models replaced?
How do you replace the battery in the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is it even possible?
What is Thunderbolt 3? What is the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3? What Thunderbolt 3 adapters and docks are available?
What type of power connector do the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models use? Is it compatible with 'MagSafe' power connectors? Are third-party options available?
What external storage options are available for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? Are adapters required?
How do you use an SD card with the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro? What is the best option?
How do you connect the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro to a wired Ethernet network? Is it even possible?
Design, Configuration, & Purchasing Q&As:
Who designed the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro?
Where can I buy a 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro?
What are the custom configuration options for the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models?
What are the 'pros and cons' of the 'Touch Bar' MacBook Pro models? Is one right for me?
Macbook Pro Touch Bar Apps
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