Apple claims faster, refreshed MacBook fixes keyboard issues

Hopefully the MacBook Pro's keyboard reliability bug have finally been solved

MacBook Pro 2019

Apple has announced a refresh to its top-tier MacBook Pro beyond both the xv-inch and 13-inch version, bringing faster Intel processors and changes to Pro'southward keyboard design.

The 15-inch MacBook Pro is getting an Intel 9th-generation 'Coffee Lake' processor. Further, the base level version of the laptop now starts at a 6-core 2.6Ghz i7 processor, with turbo boost upwards to 4.5GHz. The next 15-inch Pro comes in at an 8-core 2.3GHz i9 processor, with turbo boost up to 4.8GHz — a start for Apple tree'due south MacBook line.

The top level 15-inch MacBook Pro features an 8-core i9 2.4GHz processor, with turbo boost up to five.0GHz. Apple claims that this is the fastest MacBook the tech giant has ever released, according to a recent press release.

Apple'due south 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar is also getting an update, with the base model at present featuring a 2.4Ghz eighth-generation quad-core i5 processor with turbo boost up to 4.1GHz. In that location is also an additional configuration that equips the laptop with a quad-core i7 processor, with turbo heave up to 4.7GHz.

The tech giant isn't upgrading whatsoever other MacBook Pro models, including the popular 13-inch MacBook Pro that doesn't feature a Touch Bar — sometimes called the 'MacBook Escape') — merely like the MacBook Pro (2018) refresh from last year.

This means that the MacBook Pro without a Touchbar is unfortunately however equipped with a speedily ageing dual-core 7th-generation Intel processor. Apple has also confirmed that it hasn't changed how the company's laptops handle thermals, which proved to be at least initially be an result last year with the highest-end, i9 fifteen-inch MacBook Pro (2018).

Regarding design, the biggest modify to these upgraded laptops is that Apple claims to have updated the Pro's keyboard components to solve reliable issues many users accept experienced with the kickoff, second and fifty-fifty 3rd-generation Butterfly keyboards. Apple says that function of the Butterfly mechanism is now manufactured with a new material that should solve this problem.

That said, the visitor besides states that beyond than this subtle pattern shift, the keyboard features the same as the third-generation Butterfly keyboard included in the 2018 MacBook Pro. As it stands right now it remains unclear if this new Butterfly mechanism design actually solves the Pro'due south keyboard reliability issues.

Third, information technology is improving repair times at stores and replacing third gen membrane keyboards with the new keyboards. pic.twitter.com/0khzQ0rHVP

— Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) May 21, 2019

Further, The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has expanded its keyboard repair program to include the MacBook Pro (2018) and MacBook Air (2018).

While this is a skillful move on the tech giant'southward part, TechCrunch editor-in-chief Matthew Panzarino (@panzer) recently tweeted that all first and second-generation keyboard repairs are replaced with third-generation keyboards. This means that the keyboard reliability problem won't actually be completely solved post-obit the repair.

The new xiii-inch MacBook Pro starts at $2,399 CAD, with the 15-inch version coming in at $three,199.

Source: The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch