Apple Announces New 16-Inch MacBook Pro with Redesigned Keyboard, up to 80% Faster Performance, Audio Improvements, and Thinner Bezels

Apple has today announced the launch of a new 16-inch model MacBook Pro that features a redesigned ‘scissor’ keyboard, thinner display bezels, and 9th generation Intel Core i7 and i9 processors. The new model replaces the existing 15-inch MacBook Pro at a similar price point.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro features the latest 6- and 8-core 9th-generation processors with Turbo Boost speeds up to 5.0 GHz, which deliver up to 2.1 times faster performance than the quad-core 15-inch MacBook Pro.

The new MacBook Pro doubles the SSD storage of the previous 15-inch model to 512GB and 1TB on standard configurations. If you need more storage, up to 8TB is available as a custom configuration.

The base models come with 16GB of faster DDR4 RAM, and can now be configured with up to 64GB.

Probably the most significant change in the new model, however, is Apple switching away from the ‘butterfly’ keyboard design which has been problematic and unpopular since it was first introduced by Apple in 2015.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro features a new Magic Keyboard with a refined scissor mechanism that delivers 1mm of key travel and a stable key feel, as well as an Apple-designed rubber dome that stores more potential energy for a responsive key press.

The new Magic Keyboard also features a physical Escape key and an inverted-“T” arrangement for the arrow keys, along with Touch Bar and Touch ID.

Elsewhere, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro gains improved audio performance:

The 16-inch MacBook Pro introduces a completely redesigned six-speaker, high-fidelity sound system designed to bring musicians, podcasters and video editors the most advanced audio experience ever in a notebook. New Apple-patented force-canceling woofers use dual opposed speaker drivers to reduce unwanted vibrations that distort sound. As a result, music sounds more clear and natural than ever before, and the bass can go half an octave deeper. An upgraded high-performance mic array delivers a 40 percent reduction in hiss and an improved signal-to-noise ratio that rivals that of popular professional-grade digital microphones, delivering super-clean recordings that capture even the quietest details.

The battery has been boosted as well, to a 100 watt-hour unit. Apple claims that this will provide users an additional hour of battery life, delivering up to 11 hours of wireless web browsing or Apple TV app video playback.

According to Mac Stories, the new 16-inch MacBook Pro is almost identical in size to the 15-inch MacBook Pro:

which is 0.59 inches (1.49 cm) tall, 11.97 inches (30.41 cm) wide, and 8.36 inches (21.24 cm) deep. In contrast, the new 16-inch model is .64 inches (1.62 cm) tall, 14.09 inches (35.79 cm) wide, and 9.68 inches (24.59 cm) deep. The new MacBook Pro is also heavier, weighing in at 4.3 pounds (2.0 kg) compared to the 15-inch laptop, which is 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg).

Like the 15-inch model it replaces, the new MacBook Pro has four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports (two on each side) and a headphone jack.

Here are some of the early reviews of the new 16-inch MacBook Pro:

• Daring Fireball: 16-Inch MacBook Pro First Impressions: Great Keyboard, Outstanding Speakers
• MacWorld: 16-inch MacBook Pro hands-on: Faster, prettier, and all-around better (especially the keyboard)
• Six Colours: Key upgrade: A first look at the 16-inch MacBook Pro
• Marco Arment: The 16-inch MacBook Pro

Pricing for the 16-inch MacBook Pro starts at US$2399. It is available to order online now and available from Apple Stores beginning Friday.

Apple also today announced that the all-new Mac Pro and Apple Pro Display XDR will be available in December.