Upgraded MacBook Pro 13: better keyboard, dual memory, more power

Apple recently unveiled a new version of the 13-inch MacBook Air with a new keyboard and a proven scissor mechanism in place of the error-prone butterfly mechanism of the keys, as well as dual memory and more speed (see mid-message March). Now the MacBook Pro has been improved in the same way.

The MacBook Pro (2020) comes with the new keyboard and again has a physical escape key. Variants of the model are now delivered with dual memory and also have more modern processors for higher performance.

Updated with a new Magic Keyboard, the 13 ″ MacBook Pro doubles storage capacity and faster graphics performance. This is all in an aluminum case on the «Unibody design» with a weight of 1.36 kg.

While this is good news for Mac users, all of these improvements were expected to be on a slightly larger 14-inch model. This 14-inch model would replace the 13-inch models, as was the case in November 2019 when the 15-inch model was replaced by the new 16-inch MacBook Pro (see message). As a reminder, the new 16-inch case is only slightly larger than previously common 15-inch notebooks with a larger screen size thanks to the reduced screen frame.

The MacBook Pro 13 (2020) is still available in two different cases. The cheapest one only has two combo interfaces made of Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.1 Gen2 in the form of USB-C ports. After all, the most expensive have its four ports. These two or four interfaces are required for all types of peripheral devices (eg USB sticks, external storage, monitors, scanners, printers), the LAN, and the power supply.

Details on the new or updated MBPro 13

Apple has 13 ″ Macbook pro with the new, updated Magic Keyboard and doubled storage space in all standard configurations. The new product line also offers 10th generation processors for up to 80 percent faster graphics performance and makes standard 3733MHz memory 16GB faster for select configurations. With powerful quad-core processors, the 13 ″ Retina display, Touch Bar and Touch ID, stereo speakers, all-day battery life, and macOS performance in one Portable design.

The Apple MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with Retina display, here with Affinity Photo image editing program, is not only extremely mobile, but also packed with performance and advanced technologies and offerings battery life all day.

New keyboard: The updated MBP13 is now equipped with the new Magic Keyboard, which was first integrated into the aforementioned 16-inch MacBook and has also been installed on the MacBook Air since March 2020. The Magic Keyboard has a newly designed scissor mechanism. with a 1mm keystroke for a comfortable and stable feel of the key, while the new reversed “T” arrow key layout is easy to find, regardless of whether the user is browsing or playing through spreadsheets. The top of the Magic Keyboard has a Touch Bar and Touch ID, as well as a physical escape key.

Apple has installed the new Magic Keyboard on the MacBook Pro 13 with the proven scissor key mechanism instead of the error-prone butterfly mechanism of recent years. A physical escape key is integrated again. There’s also the touch bar with context-sensitive virtual buttons.

Double mass storage: The MacBook Pro 13 now offers twice as much storage space as the previous generation, with standard storage starting at 256GB and extending to 1TB. So users can save even more photos, videos and files. For users who need even more storage capacity for large photo libraries and video projects, there is now optionally up to 4TB SSD storage. Fast SSDs also offer sequential read speeds of up to 3.0 GB / s.

MacBook Pro 13 (2020) with Final Cut Pro video editor: With standard 256GB storage capacities up to 1TB, users of the 13 ″ MacBook Pro can save even more photos, videos, and files. Maximum configuration now extends to 32GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage

Faster and more RAM: Faster 16GB 3733MHz RAM is now offered as standard on select models. For the first time, users can choose a 32GB storage option with a 13-inch laptop, which is particularly useful when working with RAM-intensive applications such as editing gigapixel-sized photo files, p . With high-resolution photos and multi-level montages, up to 50 percent faster performance is guaranteed.

Better performance: MacBook Pro 13 ″ models now offer tenth-generation quad-core Intel Core processors with Turbo Boost speeds of up to 4.1 GHz. Users upgrading to a 13 ″ MacBook Pro with dual-core processor will find up to 2.8 times more performance. Fast.1 Integrated Intel Iris Plus graphics deliver up to 80 percent faster performance than the previous generation MBP13 for 4K Video Editing, faster rendering, and smoother gameplay. The new graphics also allow users to connect to the Pro Display XDR in full 6K resolution.

MacBook Pro has a Retina display with over 4 million pixels and millions of colors, 500 nits of brightness and support for the large P3 color space. There is still no option for a screen (no matte surface.

Pricing and availability

The new MacBook Pro 13 (2020) can be ordered today (2020-05-04) at a base price of CHF 1499, including VAT on apple.com and in the Apple Store app. According to Apple, it will be available to customers later this week (week 19) and will be available at select Apple stores and authorized Apple retailers.

More information

Apple MacBook Pro 13 (product page)

Apple Switzerland (manufacturer website)