MacBook Pro 2019 15" (Touch Bar)

The MacBook Pro "Core i9" 2.3 15-Inch (2019, Touch Bar, Vega 16/Vega 20) is a custom-ordered version of the standard "Core i9" 2.3 15-Inch model, differing only in its custom Vega 16 or Vega 20 video card. Unusually, this custom GPU leads to different system identifiers, prompting its separate documentation for clarity.

This model is powered by a 14 nm, 9th Generation "Coffee Lake" 2.3 GHz Intel "Core i9" processor (I9-9880H) with eight independent cores, a 16 MB shared L3 cache, and 16 GB of non-upgradable 2400 MHz DDR4 SDRAM (a 32 GB option was available at purchase). It includes 512 GB of onboard flash storage and dual graphics processors: either an AMD Radeon Vega 16 or 20 with 4 GB of HBM2 memory and an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 that shares system memory.

Externally, it features a 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a revised "third generation" butterfly keyboard, an integrated "Touch Bar" with Touch ID, and a large "Force Touch" trackpad.

It also has a high-resolution 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi, 500 nits) LED-backlit "Retina" display with True Tone technology and a battery with an estimated 10-hour life.

Available in silver or "Space Gray" aluminum, it weighs slightly over 4 pounds (1.83 kg). Connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, four "Thunderbolt 3" ports (USB-C), and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Compared to its predecessor, this model provides a faster processor and graphics, plus an improved butterfly keyboard said to use different materials to be less error-prone.

This custom-ordered 2019 15-inch MacBook Pro paired the powerful 8-core 2.3 GHz Core i9 CPU with the upgraded AMD Radeon Pro Vega 16 or Vega 20 graphics. This combination created a formidable mobile workstation, particularly for users with graphically intensive workflows in video editing, 3D modeling, and design. The Vega graphics option offered a significant performance increase over the standard Radeon Pro GPUs, justifying the additional cost for professionals who needed every ounce of graphical power. It also featured the refined third-generation butterfly keyboard, aimed at improving durability. However, like other models from this era, it was noted that the slim chassis could sometimes struggle to dissipate the heat generated by these high-end components under sustained heavy use.