The new 13-inch MacBook Pro: bye-bye, butterfly
Apple has fixed its keyboard problem and created a promising device. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro features the new Magic Keyboard and impressive specs.
The words «best ever» have been spoken. This time Apple, Apple uses the almost satirical term to describe the keyboard of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro. The Butterfly keyboard has been replaced by the Magic Keyboard.
But it's that's not all that's new. Apple has doubled the memory capacity of all standard versions of the Pro, equipped the devices with new 10th generation processors and a 13-inch diagonal retina display – unfortunately with touch bar, but also with touch ID and separate ESC button.
The thing about the keyboard
Up to the 16-inch MacBook Pro from last year, Apple relied fully on the Butterfly Keyboard. In the context of laptop keyboards, it wasn't that bad, but it never managed to convince the masses. Friendly critics said it wasn't «clicky» enough and produced loads of typos. More annoyed critics said the Butterfly Keyboard wasn't reliable and often broke. Apple was even faced with a class action because of the keyboard. Yet, they held on to the Butterfly Keyboard for a long time, even revised it several times, leading to creative arguments about the Butterfly's typos.
Since the next generation 16-inch MacBook Pro, that's over. This device features the Magic Keyboard. It’s a completely different keyboard technology and a new feeling when typing. Is it better? Yes, absolutely. The Magic Keyboard is probably the best laptop keyboard on the market. It’s definitely my favourite. But it's still a laptop keyboard, it won’t ever come close to a mechanical keyboard.
Apple has equipped the Butterfly Keyboard with an ESC button. Those who use the mouse for everything can use it to send the command «Cancel» to their computer. Just like «Enter» is generally accepted by error messages, warnings and the system as «OK». This might seem like a tiny change, but it makes a huge difference in everyday life.
However, the touch bar is still there. It’s been given a separate power button that doubles as a fingerprint sensor. If Apple wants to fix another thing, may I ask to have the F keys back? The touch bar might come in handy every now and then, but a quick keyboard command can do everything (and more) than the touch bar.
The keyboard of any laptop is a big deal. On a PC, you can replace the keyboard in seconds, but if you want a portable device, you’re stuck with the keyboard it has. In the case of the 13-inch MacBook Pro 2020, that's good news.
Hey Siri, welcome to the ecosystem
Little has changed on the software side: the MacBook Pro still runs on macOS. Behind the scenes, however, a lot has changed. If you choose Apple's ecosystem, you’re choosing the best-functioning ecosystem of any manufacturer to date. Apple's devices work together almost seamlessly.
Here's an example: if you call me, but my iPhone is in my bedroom, while I'm staring into my MacBook and writing this article, I can see in the top right corner of my MacBook that you're calling. I can either sprint into the bedroom or answer the call on my MacBook. Or I can use an iPhone without a SIM card, which I've registered on with my Apple ID. This device will also ring. If I have enough of chatting with the iPhone, I can send the call to my iPad and use the iPad as a speaker with a strong microphone.
This may sound like a gimmick at first, but once you've experienced it, it quickly becomes a habit that you won't be willing to give up again.
Finally, figures
Apple is known for not stating specific figures. Their new devices are always «26% faster» or «17% better» that the previous ones, which was also 31% better or faster. This might serve marketing purposes, but actual figures are only published on Apple's official website. This too is over. The new 13-inch notebook boasts a 10th generation Intel Core CPU with a maximum performance of 4.1 GHz. 8th generation processors are also still fitted. What's more, Apple writes that the upgrade from a Dual Core Architecture to Quad Core will deliver 2.8 times faster performance. Plus, the new Iris Plus graphics card delivers 80 percent more graphics performance.
This doesn't sound very useful in everyday life, as YouTube and co. worked well with Dual Core and old graphics. But then Apple mentions something interesting: 4K video editing. Thank you!
Apparently, gaming isn’t a problem, either. Alright. However, as Apple claims, the new MacBook is fully compatible with the Apple Pro Display XDR, which means that it offers smooth 6K resolution.
To ensure that everything runs smoothly behind the graphics, Apple has installed 8 GB or 16 GB RAM as default. 32 GB is the maximum possible. This is supposed to speed up Virtual Machines – was that ever a problem? Not for me – and deliver «50% better performance» in Photoshop.
Let's come to a conclusion. You want a MacBook? Get this year's version. The oldest model you should consider is the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The new 13-inch MacBook Pro delivers a lot at first glance and features a really good keyboard. It's been a pleasure writing this article on it.
Journalist. Author. Hacker. A storyteller searching for boundaries, secrets and taboos – putting the world to paper. Not because I can but because I can’t not.