Apple on Tuesday introduced a new version of its entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro notebook, which has not seen an update since mid-2017. The new model continues to feature the renowned form-factor along with two Thunderbolt 3 ports, but it now comes with a quad-core CPU, a True Tone Retina display, a Touch Bar and Touch ID. The upgraded versions will replace existing cheap MBPs and therefore Apple will no longer offer its latest MacBook Pros without a Touch Bar.

The mid-2019 entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro is based on Intel’s 8th Generation quad-core Core i5/i7 processor with Iris Plus Graphics 645 integrated GPU. It is accompanied by 8 or 16 GB of LPDDR3 memory as well as an SSD offering 128 GB – 2 TB capacity. These machines are placed between the more advanced MacBook Pros with four Thunderbolt 3 connectors and the new MacBook Airs (introduced earlier today). The more expensive 13-inch MBP models introduced earlier this year come with considerably faster quad-core processors equipped with Iris Plus Graphics 655, whereas the cheaper MacBook Air notebooks feature dual-core CPUs along with UHD Graphics 617.

Unlike the previous-generation 13-inch MacBook Pro laptops, these new models have the same features as the higher-end SKUs, as they are equipped with Touch Bar, Touch ID fingerprint reader, and the Apple T2 Security Chip. Essentially, all new MacBook Pro machines will now have a Touch Bar (and no function keys), an indicator that the device turned out to be popular with software developers. Of course it remains to be seen whether Apple’s customers will be satisfied with such a design choice as many still need F keys for various special-purpose software (e.g., specific Windows programs).

MacBook Pro 13-Inch 2019 (Base Models)
Model 2019 13-Inch
Higher-End
2018 13-Inch
Entry-Level
CPU 2.4 GHz/4.1 GHz
Core i5-8???U
4 CPU Cores
(Coffee Lake)
1.4 GHz/3.9 GHz
Core i5-8???U
4 CPU Cores
(Coffee Lake)
GPU Intel Iris Plus 655
(128MB eDRAM)
Intel Iris Plus 645
(? eDRAM)
Display 13" 2560 x 1600 IPS LCD
DCI-P3 Gamut
True Tone
Memory 8 GB LPDDR3-2133
SSD 256 GB PCIe SSD 128 GB PCIe SSD
Touch Bar Yes
I/O 4x Thunderbolt 3 (supports DP1.2 & USB 3.1 Gen 2 modes),
3.5mm Audio
2x Thunderbolt 3 (supports DP1.2 & USB 3.1 Gen 2 modes),
3.5mm Audio
Battery Capacity 58 Wh 58.2 Wh
Battery Life 10 Hours
Dimensions 1.49 cm x 30.41 cm x 21.24 cm
Weight 3.02 lbs (1.37 kg)
Price $1799 $1299

When it comes to I/O capabilities, the new reasonably-priced 13-inch MacBook Pro notebooks also have the same features as the fully-fledged models (with the exception of two TB3 ports vs. four TB3 ports), including 802.11ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0, a 720p HD webcam, a 3.5-mm headset jack, stereo speakers, a large touchpad.

Since cheaper versions of Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro laptops use the same chassis as other notebooks in the series, they feature the same weight and thickness (i.e., 1.37 kilograms and 1.49 cm). The machines are outfitted with a 58.2 Wh battery that enables up to 10 hours of operation on one charge.

Apple’s new entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro notebooks with two Thunderbolt 3 ports are available today directly from Apple for $1,299 and $1,499 depending on the configuration. College students in the US can get a new MacBook Pro starting at $1,199.

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Source: Apple

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  • AdditionalPylons - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    What are the differences between Iris Pro 645 and 655? I can't seem to find any info about 645 on Intel's websites.
  • ltcommanderdata - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    Presumably the same difference as between the Iris Plus 650 and 640, namely that a 28W TDP on the Iris Plus 655 CPUs allows higher sustained clock speeds compared to 15W TDP Iris Plus 645 CPUs.
  • RSAUser - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link

    And note the difference in efficiency curve, the 645 is about 75% of the performance.
  • ikjadoon - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    >renowned form-factor

    Really? ... the same form factor that throttles, has an asinine keyboard, strains ultra-thin display cables into destroying themselves, and a touch bar Apple refuses to actually improve and/or develop for?
  • Lord of the Bored - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    They've been too busy trying to fix the keyboard to worry about the touch screen.
    ...
    Maybe that's the plan. Replace the entire keyboard with a touch screen after "proving" that real keyboards are "too unreliable"
  • Vitor - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    At least it has the ideal resolution for the size IMO.
  • firewrath9 - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    The 13" MBP use i5-8279U, and i7-8569U.
    https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/produc...
  • WPX00 - Tuesday, July 9, 2019 - link

    The higher end model has an i5-8279U.
  • matfra - Wednesday, July 10, 2019 - link

    Edram rocks. Not for the GPU but as a L4 cache for the CPU. The i7-8559U stocks beats a 7770k at 4.8Ghz on compilation time. I wish anandtech would do a benchmark to show the world how good edram is

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