After a year and a half, Apple has finally updated the 13″ MacBook Pro, dropping “with Retina Display” from its name and finally discontinuing the last non-Retina 13″ MacBook Pro, which has been with us since April 2012.
There are now two 13″ MacBook Pro models in the line, which is bound to add some confusion among buyers. The entry-level model does not have the new Touch Bar that is found on the higher-end 13″ MacBook Pro and the new 15″ MacBook Pro.
There are enough differences between the two 13″ MacBook Pro models that we have created separate pages for each. This page covers the version with tradition function keys, not the one with the Touch Bar.
Slower or Faster?
Compared to the Early 2015″ Retina model, the new model appears to have a much less powerful dual-core i5 CPU with a nominal 2.0 GHz clock speed vs. 2.7 GHz for its predecessor. However, when it comes to Turbo Boost, both the Early 2015 and Late 2016 models achieve 3.1 GHz, and the new 13″ MacBook Pro has a larger (4 MB) L3 cache, so you’d expect the new model to hold its own.
The “better” version now includes a 2.4 GHz dual-core i7 capable of 3.4 GHz with Turbo Boost, which compares favorably with the 2.9 GHz i5 topping out at 3.3 GHz in the previous “better” 13-incher.
Keep in mind that the Late 2016 model uses Intel’s newer Skylake architecture, and very early Geekbench score postings show the following results:
- 2.0 GHz i5, 3577 single-core, 6976 multi-core
The new 2.0 GHz i5 outperforms the 2.7 GHz entry-level Early 2015 13-incher, which scores 3436 on single-core and 6490 on multi-core benchmarks. For those on a budget, the remaining inventory of 2.7 GHz Early 2015 13-inchers is available while inventory lasts at $200 less than the new entry-level model.
We do not yet have benchmark results for the 2.4 GHz version.
Other Features
The biggest change in the new MacBook Pro models it the elimination of almost all legacy ports. There is no MagSafe, no SD card slot, and no traditional style USB port. Instead this marks Apple’s migration to 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 3 and 10 Gbps USB 3.1 Gen 2 using the USB-C connector introduced with the 12″ MacBook in March 2015.
One difference between this 13″ MacBook Pro and the model with the Touch Bar is that is one has two USB-C ports while the Touch Bar versions has four (two on each side).
Unlike the iPhone 7, the new MacBook Pro models retain the traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
Finally, the new MacBook Pro comes in either silver or space gray.
Battery life is claimed to be 10 hours of wireless productivity.
This model ships with macOS 10.12 Sierra and supports all later versions, which are free updates.
Closed Lid Mode: All Intel ‘Books support “lid closed” (or clamshell) mode, which leaves the built-in display off and dedicates all video RAM to an external display. To used closed lid mode, your ‘Book must be plugged into the AC adapter and connected to an external display and a USB or Bluetooth mouse and keyboard (you might also want to consider external speakers). Power up your ‘Book until the desktop appears on the external display and then close the lid. Your ‘Book will go to sleep, but you can wake it by moving the mouse or using the keyboard. The built-in display will remain off, and the external monitor will become your only display.
To resume use of the internal display, you need to disconnect the external display, put the computer to sleep, and then open the lid. This will wake up your ‘Book and restore use of the built-in display.
Details
- introduced 2016.10.27 at US$1,499 (2.0 GHz Skylake dual-core i5, 256 GB SSD). 2.4 GHz dual-core i7 available as a $300 build-to-order option
- Part no.:
- Model no.:
- Identifier: MacBook13,1
Mac OS
- Requires macOS 10.12.1 Sierra or later
Core System
- CPU: 2.0 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5-6360U (3.1 GHz Turbo Boost), 2.4 GHz dual-core i7 (3.4 GHz Turbo Boost) build-to-order option
- Level 3 cache: 4 MB shared cache
- Bus: 1866 MHz
- RAM: 8 or 16 GB from factory, no future upgrades
- Performance, Geekbench 4
- 2.0 GHz: 3577 single-core, 6976 multi-core
- 2.4 GHz: unknown
Video
- GPU: Intel Iris Graphics 540
- VRAM: uses 1 GB of system RAM
- Video out: Thunderbolt (VGA, DVI, HDMI, and DisplayPort supported with optional adapters)
- resolution to 5120 x 2880 on a single display
- resolution to 4096 x 2304 on two displays
- display: 13.3″ glossy 2560 x 1600 227 ppi LED-backlit with IPS and “millions of colors”
- supports 2560 x 1600, 1680 x 1050, 1440 x 900, and 1024 x 640
- allows mirroring to external display or extended desktop mode
Drives
- Hard drive: 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB SSD
- optical drive: external only
- drive bus: PCIe 2.0 x2 (over 700 MBps real world read and write speeds – 200-300 MBps faster than SATA Rev. 3)
Expansion
- Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C: 2 ports
- USB: 2 USB-C ports
- FireWire 400: via Thunderbolt adapter
- FireWire 800: via Thunderbolt adapter
- Ethernet: via Thunderbolt adapter
- WiFi: 802.11ac
- Modem: no longer offered by Apple
- Bluetooth: BT 4.2 built in
- ExpressCard/34: none
- SD Card Slot: none
- expansion bays: none
Power
- battery: 54.5 Watt-hour
- AC adapter: 61W USB-C Power Adapter
Physical
- size: 8.36 x 11.97 x 0.59″ (212.4 x 304.1 x 14.9 mm)
- Weight: 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg)
Online Resources
- Protect your notebook against loss, theft, data loss, and security breaches, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2009.08.25. 10 percent of laptops are lost or stolen every year. Tips on preventing theft, securing your data, and recovering from a lost, stolen, or broken notebook.
- Optimized Software Builds Bring Out the Best in Your Mac, Dan Knight, Low End Mac’s Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.30. Applications compiled for your Mac’s CPU can load more quickly and run faster than ones compiled for universal use.
- Low-end MacBook Pros: SD Card and FireWire in, ExpressCard out, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2009.06.16. The new 13″ and 15″ MacBook Pro have FireWire 800 and SD Card slots, but ExpressCard is gone, left for the 17″ MacBook Pro.
- Low End Mac’s Safe Sleep FAQ, Dan Knight, Online Tech Journal, 2009.06.15. What is Safe Sleep mode? Which Macs support it? How can you enable or disable it? And more.
- The Safe Sleep Mailbag, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2009.06.15. Safe Sleep mode is enabled by default on modern MacBooks. How it works, and how to change how it works.
- Mac ‘Book Power Management Adventures, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2009.05.19. If your ‘Book won’t power up, shuts down while your working, or has other power issues, resetting its internal power manager may clear things up.
- Ubuntu Linux and Boot Camp make it easy to create a triple boot Mac, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.12.24. Boot Camp makes it easy to install Windows on Intel Macs, and Ubuntu now makes it easy to install Linux to a virtual Windows drive.
- Notebooks and blackouts, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.12.23. When the power goes out, a notebook computer with long-lasting batteries lets you keep working for hours and hours.
- Why DisplayPort is the video connector for the future, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.12.23. DisplayPort supports multiple displays, combines audio and video on one cable, and costs nothing to use.
- New MacBook trackpad takes some getting used to, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2008.12.22. The large glass trackpad is a joy to use in many ways, but it can be frustrating for longtime notebook users and has issues with Boot Camp.
- The ‘Better Safe Than Sorry’ Guide to Installing Mac OS X Updates, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.12.16. Most users encounter no problems using Software Update, but some preflight work and using the Combo updater means far less chance of trouble.
- Why You Should Partition Your Mac’s Hard Drive, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.12.11. “At the very least, it makes sense to have a second partition with a bootable version of the Mac OS, so if you have problems with your work partition, you can boot from the ’emergency’ partition to run Disk Utility and other diagnostics.”
- Software to keep your MacBook cool, Phil Herlihy, The Usefulness Equation, 2008.11.25. Heat is the enemy of long hardware life. Two programs to keep your MacBook running cooler.
- DisplayPort copy protection, trackpad update, netbooks not to be taken lightly, and more, The ‘Book Review, 2008.11.21. Also Apple set for record sales, 4-finger gestures on original MacBook Air, MacBook Apple’s best consumer notebook to date, Cricket laptop stand, bargain ‘Books from $490 to $2,299, and more.
- Kensington Ci95m Wireless Mouse: Great battery life, smooth performance, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.11.13. Kensington’s slim wireless mouse is well built, works smoothly, has great battery life, and avoids Bluetooth pairing and wake-up issues.
- One OS to rule them all, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.10.29. With Fusion or Parallels letting you run Windows at full speed, Mac OS X gives you the best of both worlds.
- How to clone Mac OS X to a new hard drive, Simon Royal, Tech Spectrum, 2008.10.07. Whether you want to put a bigger, faster drive in your Mac or clone OS X for use in another Mac, here’s the simple process.
- Apple Trumps Microsoft in Making the 64-bit Transition Transparent to Users, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 2008.09.18. To use more than 4 GB of RAM under Windows, you need a 64-bit PC and the 64-bit version of Windows. On the Mac, OS X 10.4 and later already support it.
- Does running OS X system maintenance routines really do any good?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2008.08.26. Mac OS X is designed to run certain maintenance routines daily, weekly, and monthly – but can’t if your Mac is off or asleep.
- Tricking out your notebook for superior desktop duty, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.07.29. For desktop use, you don’t need to be limited by the built-in trackpad, keyboard, and display or a notebook’s compromised ergonomics.
- Free VirtualBox for Mac now a virtual contender, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.07.21. A year ago, the Mac version of VirtualBox lacked some essential features. Over the past year, it’s grown into a very useful tool.
- Win the depreciation game by buying on the low end, Charles W Moore, ‘Book Value, 2008.06.24. The worst depreciation afflicts high-end models. By buying a less powerful version, choosing certified refurbished, or picking up a used computer, you’ll come out ahead.
- 16:9 computer displays: Let’s not go there, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.06.17. “…there’s no reason our computer displays should match the proportions of our television displays.”
- SheepShaver brings Classic Mac OS to Intel Macs and Leopard, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2008.05.20. Mac OS X 10.5 doesn’t support Classic Mode. Neither does Leopard. But SheepShaver lets you emulate a PowerPC Mac and run the Classic Mac OS.
- Windows on Macs: Three paths for integration, Jason Packer, Macs in the Enterprise, 2008.05.14. Mac users have three routes for running Windows apps: Run Windows using Boot Camp or virtualization, or use a compatibility layer such as WINE.
- Restore stability to a troubled Mac with a clean system install, Keith Winston, Linux to Mac, 2008.01.15. If your Mac is misbehaving, the best fix just might be a fresh reinstallation of Mac OS X – don’t forget to backup first.
- We need more than 2 USB ports in MacBooks, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2008.01.14. There’s something wrong when you can’t plug a flash drive, mouse, and printer into a notebook computer at the same time.
- Does a college freshman need to run Windows on a MacBook?, Al Poulin, My Turn, 2007.07.24. While you can run Windows on today’s Intel-based Macs, is there any reason most college students would want to or need to?
- 1 core, 2 cores, 4 cores, 8: How Much Difference Does It Make?, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2007.04.10. Geekbench scores make it possible to compare the newest 3 GHz 8-core Mac Pro with the 1.5 GHz Core Solo Mac mini – and all the models in between.
- Simple ergonomics for the road warrior, Ed Eubanks Jr, The Efficient Mac User, 2007.01.16. The benefits of external keyboards and mice, laptop stands, typing gloves, and anti-RSI software for notebook users.
- To AppleCare or not to AppleCare?, Charles W Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 2006.11.20. Consumer Reports, which generally recommends against extended warranties, says AppleCare makes sense. But does it?
- Better laptop performance: What’s the best upgrade?, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.10.09. Memory, CPU, bus speed, and hard drives all impact performance and battery life. Which upgrades will give you the most up time in the field?
- Drive matters, Dan Knight, Mac Musings, 2006.06.14. There’s more to picking the right hard drive than size, spindle speed, buffer size, and price. But how can a 5400 rpm drive ever outperform a 7200 rpm drive?
- Power strategies for using your ‘Book in the field: Batteries and AC adapters, Andrew J Fishkin, The Mobile Mac, 2006.06.05. One or two extra batteries and at least one spare AC adapter can be essential when you’re traveling and need to get hours and hours of use from your ‘Book.
- MacBook Pro Technical Specifications, Apple
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