When Apple unveiled the 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, the tech world collectively breathed a sigh of relief that Apple had finally updated its outdated premiere notebook. But despite this, there has also been some backlash on the unit, especially when it is compared to its competitors. So what are the drawbacks and benefits to the unit?
One definite reason not to get the device, as noted by Engadget, is that the 2016 MacBook Pro has several parts that are irreplaceable. The publication goes on to say that it has fewer replaceable parts that its predecessors. What this basically means is that if even just one part of the notebook is broken, the entire thing virtually becomes unuseable.
Apparently, the solid state drive is embedded directly into the motherboard of the 2016 MacBook Pro and the Touch Bar will undoubtedly be difficult to replace. And because Apple included a fingerprint scanner onto the power button, fixing the same will prove to be burdensome as well. The button itself is tied to a chip on the motherboard as well.
It is because of this design as well that users will never be able to tinker with the device should they ever decide to. Granted, not many people would probably want to alter the SSD, but the publication makes the argument that with the system of the 2016 MacBook Pro, this option is ruled out entirely.
To the contrary, The Verge has reported on some compelling reasons as to why the 2016 MacBook pro is a great investment. Of course, the entire argument primarily lies on the Touch Bar, which provides users with specific features and buttons that morph depending on the application currently in use. As the publication discussed, the idea of the Touch Bar is not new. The technology itself has been in the market for quite a while. However, Apple's new device is the first major laptop to make use of it.
The point of the Touch Bar is essentially to provide users with a new Mac experience. And with most applications that it is currently compatible with, Apple definitely delivers. The technology allows a quickness that was not there before and an ease that is definitely welcome. On the other hand, it does not yet work for some applications - at least not as well in comparison. There are times when the Touch Bar on the 2016 MacBook Pro is pretty much useless or too complicated to actually use.
The new notebook definitely has more to offer than just the Touch Bar, as Apple included various other updates to its specifications. The 15 inch 2016 MacBook Pro has a display resolution of 2,880 x 1,800 and is as much as 67 percent brighter than the units before it. It is just 15.5mm at its thickest point, which makes it 14 percent thinner as well. All in all, it weighs just 4 pounds and takes up 20 percent less space from its predecessor.
It also comes with four Thunderbolt 3 ports, which all use a USB Type C standard. That's it, this is the new quality for charging - which means that the MagSafe power connection is a thing of the past. The 15 inch version of the 2016 MacBook Pro is priced at US$2,399.
