Apple Launches New 2018 MacBook Pro With 8th-Generation Intel Processors

Apple has announced the release of the new 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models. The upgraded MacBook Pros come with a bunch of new features, including the 8th-generation Intel Core processors.

Only the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models have upgraded. The base 13-inch MacBook Pro, the model without the Touch Bar, hasn’t been given an update yet. The regular MacBook and MacBook Air weren't given upgrades, as well. The update to the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros is pretty much a spec bump, but that should please a lot of power users.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro gets the quad-core i5 or i7 processors, with clock speeds of up to 2.7GHz and Turbo Boost up to 4.5GHz, according to MacRumors. It also comes with an Intel Iris 655 graphics with 128MB of RAM. The base model comes with 256GB of SSD storage, but customers can configure it to have 2TB of SSD storage. The 13-inch model comes with 8GB of RAM, which is configurable to 16GB. The best part here is that the 2018 MacBook Pro still comes with the same starting price of $1,799.

As for the 15-inch 2018 MacBook Pro, its upgrades are a little more impressive. It now comes with a six-core Intel Core i7 or i9 processor, which should provide clock speeds of up to 2.9GHz and Turbo Boost of up to 4.8GHz. It also comes with Radeon Pro GPU with 4GB of video memory. The base model comes with 512GB of SDD storage and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. Users will be able to configure the 15-inch model to come with 4TB of storage and 32GB of DDR4 RAM. The starting price remains unchanged at $2,399. However, if users want the top-tier model, they would have to pay a whopping $6,699, according to The Verge.

Both the 13-inch and 15-inch 2018 MacBook Pro models do share a lot of new features. The two are now outfitted with True Tone displays, the Apple T2 Chip and an improved third-generation, butterfly-switch keyboard that’s quieter than before. The Apple T2 chip was actually first introduced in the iMac Pro and it’s designed to provide enhanced security and it enables hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands.

“The latest generation MacBook Pro is the fastest and most powerful notebook we’ve ever made,” Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller said. “Now with 8th-generation 6-core processors, up to 32GB of system memory, up to 4TB of super fast SSD storage, new True Tone technology in its Retina display and Touch Bar, the Apple T2 chip for enhanced security and a third-generation quieter keyboard packed into its thin and light aluminum design with all-day battery life, it’s the best notebook for pro users.”

The 2018 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models are available now on Apple’s website. The new MacBook Pro models will also be available in Apple retail stores and from authorized resellers later this week.