MacBook Pro Late 2016 15" (Touch Bar)

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch from Late 2016 with Retina Display and Touch Bar is powered by a 14 nm, 6th Generation "Skylake" 2.6 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (6700HQ). This CPU features four independent cores on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared level 3 cache, 16 GB of non-upgradable 2133 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM, and 256 GB of PCIe-based flash storage. It also includes dual graphics processors: an AMD Radeon Pro 450 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 that shares system memory.

This notebook incorporates an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a slim backlit "second generation" butterfly mechanism keyboard, and an innovative "Touch Bar." The Touch Bar is a touch-sensitive control that replaces the traditional function keys, adapting to different applications and providing Touch ID login. A very large "Force Touch" trackpad is also included.

Additionally, it features a high-resolution 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi, 500 nits) LED-backlit "Retina" display and an integrated battery that provides an Apple-estimated 10 hours of use.

Available in silver or a darker "Space Gray" aluminum housing, this notebook weighs slightly over 4 pounds (1.83 kg).

Connectivity consists of 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, four "Thunderbolt 3" ports (USB-C connector), and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Compared to the previous model, this version has a completely redesigned, thinner external housing available in a new color. It features the aforementioned "Touch Bar" and a larger trackpad but replaces a wide array of ports with just four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack. Internally, it boasts a more advanced processor, architecture, and graphics processor, along with better speakers, but offers reduced battery life.

The Late 2016 15-inch MacBook Pro was a dramatic and divisive redesign. It was praised for its thinner, lighter chassis and the stunningly bright, wide-color-gamut display. The introduction of the Touch Bar was the centerpiece feature, offering a glimpse into a new mode of interaction, though its practical utility was initially questioned by many reviewers. The quad-core Skylake processor and AMD Radeon Pro graphics provided strong performance. However, the machine faced significant criticism for its abandonment of all legacy ports in favor of four Thunderbolt 3 ports, forcing users into a world of adapters. The extremely shallow butterfly keyboard and a reduction in battery life compared to its predecessor were also notable drawbacks.