MacBook Pro Late 2016 15" (Touch Bar)

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15-Inch (Late 2016) is powered by a 14 nm, 6th Generation "Skylake" 2.7 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (6820HQ), which contains four independent processor "cores" on a single chip, an 8 MB shared level 3 cache, and 16 GB of non-upgradable 2133 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM. It also has 512 GB of PCIe-based flash storage and dual graphics processors: an AMD Radeon Pro 455 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 530 that shares system memory.

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

Additionally, it is equipped with a high-resolution 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi, 500 nits) LED-backlit "Retina" display and an integrated battery that Apple estimates will provide 10 hours of use.

This notebook comes in either silver or a darker "Space Gray" aluminum housing and weighs slightly more than 4 pounds (1.83 kg).

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

Compared to its forerunner, this model presents a completely new, thinner external design, is offered in an additional color, and features the aforementioned "Touch Bar" and a larger trackpad. However, it exchanges a variety of ports for just four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Internally, it boasts a more advanced processor and architecture, a more capable graphics processor, and better speakers, but has a shorter battery life.

As the higher-end stock model of the radical 2016 redesign, the 2.7 GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro was praised for its powerful performance, stemming from its Skylake i7 CPU and AMD Radeon Pro 455 graphics. The thinner and lighter chassis, exceptionally bright display, and massive trackpad were significant physical improvements. The Touch Bar was the defining, yet divisive, new feature, offering potential that was not yet fully realized by many applications. However, the machine drew considerable criticism for its exclusive reliance on Thunderbolt 3, which necessitated a collection of adapters for most users. Combined with the extremely shallow butterfly keyboard and a noticeable decrease in battery capacity compared to its predecessor, it was a machine that represented a bold, but controversial, step into the future.