MacBook Pro Mid-2017 15" (Touch Bar)

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.9 15-Inch (Mid-2017) is equipped with a 14 nm, 7th Generation "Kaby Lake" 2.9 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (7820HQ), featuring four independent cores on a single chip, an 8 MB shared L3 cache, 16 GB of onboard 2133 MHz LPDDR3 SDRAM, and 512 GB of onboard flash storage. The RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase, but the storage could be. It also includes dual graphics processors: an AMD Radeon Pro 560 with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 that shares system memory.

Externally, this notebook has a built-in 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a slim backlit "second generation" butterfly keyboard with an integrated "Touch Bar," and a very large "Force Touch" trackpad. The Touch Bar is a touch-sensitive control that adapts to applications and provides Touch ID login.

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

This notebook is available in either silver or a darker "Space Gray" aluminum housing and weighs slightly more than 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 model it succeeded, this version is practically identical on the outside but features a more advanced processor and architecture.

The Mid-2017 15-inch MacBook Pro was a modest but welcome refresh, primarily upgrading to 7th-generation 'Kaby Lake' processors. This 2.9 GHz Core i7 model delivered a noticeable performance boost over its 2016 predecessor, particularly in processor-intensive tasks. While the exterior design, excellent Retina display, and port selection remained unchanged, some users noted a subtle refinement in the butterfly keyboard, resulting in a slightly quieter and more pleasant typing experience. However, it retained the controversial aspects of the 2016 model, such as the exclusive reliance on USB-C ports and the divisive Touch Bar, while still limiting the maximum RAM to 16GB, a point of frustration for some professionals.