Apple on Monday announced the launch of a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with updated 10th-generation processors for high-end machines and new scissor switch Magic Keyboards across the lineup.
We picked one up to check out what’s new and see how it compares to other machines in Apple’s notebook lineup. Read on to see what we thought and whether it’s worth buying.
Design-wise, the 13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro is identical to the 2019 model as Apple hasn’t made any external changes aside from the new keyboard. It continues to use the same 13.3-inch sized chassis, which is disappointing as it was rumored to swap to an updated 14.1-inch design.
That 14.1-inch MacBook Pro could still arrive at some point in the future, but for now, Apple is going to sell the same old 13.3-inch model alongside the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
We bought the base model machine, which means it’s still using Intel’s 8th-generation processor. The higher-end 13-inch MacBook Pro model, which starts at $1,799, is faster and has a newer 10th-generation processor.
Based on benchmarks, the $1,799 MacBook Pro with a 2.0GHz Core i5 10th-generation Intel chip is about 16.5 percent faster than the $1,299 base model we have here, which has a 1.4GHz quad-core Core i5 8th-generation processor.
Apple added support for up to 32GB of RAM and a 4TB SSD in the 2020 MacBook Pro refresh, but again, those features are limited to the most expensive machines. The base model can only be upgraded to 16GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD.
So basically, what’s new on the base model MacBook Pro is the keyboard. It now has the same Magic Keyboard that Apple first introduced in the 16-inch MacBook Pro. The Magic Keyboard uses scissor-style switches instead of the old butterfly-style switches, which were notoriously unreliable and unpopular with users.
Apple’s Butterfly keyboards initiated a massive repair program, and although Apple tried repeatedly to fix the Butterfly keyboard with various Band-Aid methods, nothing worked, and the only way to get a more reliable keyboard was to go back. Scissor switch design.
The Magic Keyboard on the 13-inch MacBook Pro should be much more reliable than keyboards on previous models that still had butterfly switches. With the release of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, Apple has now officially dropped the butterfly keyboard from its entire notebook lineup.
Design-wise, the Magic Keyboard has a physical escape key and inverted T arrow key, but it also features a Touch Bar and Touch ID for biometric authentication. When it comes to feel, the Magic Keyboard isn’t too far off from the butterfly keyboard it’s replacing with better key travel and a solid feel under the fingers.
It’s worth noting that higher-end MacBook Pro models with four Thunderbolt 3 ports can now support 6K Pro Display XDR, but lower-end models with only two Thunderbolt 3 ports are limited to one 5K or two 4K displays.
Unless you’re planning on spending at least $1,799 for a new 13-inch MacBook Pro, this refresh is a bit of a disappointment as the more affordable, lower-end models get nothing more than a refreshed keyboard design. At a starting price of $1,799 and up to $3,500 for upgrades, some users may be better off checking out one of the 16-inch MacBook Pro models unless size is a concern.
Those interested in portability and the lower-end specs of the more affordable MacBook Pro will want to take a closer look at the MacBook Air, which may be a better value.
