Apple MacBook Pro 2016 review: Lack of Touch Bar in 13-inch basic doesn’t undermine its speed & performance

Apple’s new baby, the MacBook Pro 2016, is sure to impress its fans. The 13-inch basic MacBook Pro is a beautiful-looking device, in its space gray or silver colours. It’s lightweight, slim and sturdy. Its build gives a feel that it would replace the MacBook Air for portability. The entry-level device does not have the Touch Bar or the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The other new 13-inch or 15-inch models do have the Touch Bar though. The basic MacBook Pro 13-inch has two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports. These are expected to become the new industry standard. Uploading photos and videos will be a breeze as these ports allow data transfer speeds of up to 40 billion bits per second, reports Brisbane Times.

Charging is also done via these ports though the MagSafe connector is missing. Apple has included a larger touchpad for more gesture-based commands. The Retina Display screen has high contrast, making images sharper and colours brighter. The 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 has some awesome speakers that produce some very high-quality sound.

The speakers deliver enough bass and the sound is powerful and clear. People who want a small Apple laptop can very well go for this 13-inch MacBook Pro 2016 basic model. It costs $2,199. According to TIME, even though the newly-introduced Touch Bar is an intriguing concept, it’s occasionally helpful. Hence, many may not find justifiable to spend an extra $300 on the Touch Bar.

Tech enthusiasts have praised the Apple MacBook Pro 2016 13-inch basic version’s balance of power and portability. The flatter, larger keys with less travel distance are a pleasure to use. Users however need to carry more converter cables for USB sticks and other devices. At 1.37 kg, the MacBook Pro 2016 13-inch basic model could be one’s perfect travel companion.

Stay tuned on IBT AU for more updates on Apple MacBook Pro 2016 models.