MacBook Pro 2020 — 13-inch with Magic Keyboard
Apple has officially announced a refreshed 13-inch MacBook. It replaces the 13-inch MacBook and has a new keyboard.
The smallest MacBook Pro still has a 13-inch screen, but comes with twice the storage and faster graphics performance. There is also a new keyboard and the most expensive model has a 10th generation Intel Core processor with up to 80 percent faster graphics performance. The working memory is standard 8GB RAM and can be expanded to 16GB RAM. On all models you get a Retina display, Touch Bar with Touch ID, stereo speakers and a battery with a battery life of one working day.
It is available immediately from $1,299 and goes up to $1,799 for the most expensive base model. Good to know is that there is a two-way split: the entry-level models with 8th generation Intel and the more expensive models with 10th generation Intel, which have more options.
13-inch MacBook specs
The 13-inch MacBook replaces the 2019 model, which has disappeared from the range immediately.
The most important specs at a glance:
Available in silver or space gray.
13.3 ″ Retina display at 2560 x 1600 pixels and 227 ppi.
Magic Keyboard.
Standard 8th generation Intel processor (10th generation on most expensive model).
Standard 256GB storage (expandable to 4TB).
Standard from 8GB RAM (16GB RAM in the most expensive model).
Graphics card Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 (or Intel Iris Plus Graphics on most .
Two Thunderbolt 3 ports (USB ‑ C), four on most expensive model.
Wireless 802.11ac WiFi.
Bluetooth 5.0.
720p FaceTime HD camera.
Up to 10 hours of wireless internet.
Weight 1.4 kg.
Dimensions 1.56 cm x 30.41 cm x 21.24 cm.
Starting price in the USA is: $1,299 at Apple.
The i7 processor is available as an upgrade for all models. You must then select the desired model and choose the i7 when configuring.
What is New in MacBook Pro 2020
The new MacBook Pro has not gotten a larger screen, as happened with the 15-inch last year. It still has a 13.3 inch screen. If you want the 10th generation Intel Core processors, you have to choose the most expensive version because only that is equipped with Ice Lake. The cheaper versions run on 8th generation Intel processors. As usual, you can choose from space gray or silver with all models. If you want a golden MacBook, you will have to choose the newly renewed Air.
It includes a ‘Magic Keyboard’ with a newly designed scissor mechanism. The keys can be pressed 1mm, the so-called travel. With a Touch Bar, a separate Touch ID button, a Force Touch track pad and the Apple T2 Security Chip, your MacBook is safe to use. This MacBook has a battery life of 10 hours when surfing the internet or watching a movie in the Apple TV app.
These are the specifications of the MacBook Pro 13-inch (base model):
1.4 ‑ GHz quad-core processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz.
256 GB storage.
Touch Bar and Touch ID.
1.4 GHz quad-core 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor.
Turbo Boost up to 3.9 GHz.
Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645.
8GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory.
256 GB SSD storage.
13 ‑ inch Retina display with True Tone.
Magic Keyboard.
Touch Bar and Touch ID.
Two Thunderbolt 3 ports.
$1,499.00.
New keyboard in the 13-inch MacBook Pro
Why would you choose this new 13-inch MacBook and not the 2018 or 2019 model? An important reason is that it contains a new type of keyboard. Instead of the butterfly keyboard, Apple is reverting to the scissor keyboard, which is now called ‘Magic Keyboard’. Are you waiting for this, but you think the 16-inch MacBook Pro is too big or too expensive, then you now have plenty of choice. You can easily find better options on this website. You can opt for the MacBook Air 2020, which was released a month ago. But you can also opt for this new 13-inch MacBook Pro in several versions.
The scissor keyboard is the mechanism Apple used before 2016 that users have been quite happy with. The butterfly keyboard used between 2016 and 2019 has mainly been the subject of complaints. Apple has gradually tried to improve the butterfly mechanism, but this actually never worked out well.
The main changes
Compared to the 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2019, a number of changes have been made:
Is this the right time for a 13-inch MacBook Pro?
When announcing new MacBooks, many people have the question: is this the time, or will there be an even better one soon? If you have always been waiting for a small but powerful MacBook with a better keyboard, now is the time. Of course there are always new developments that you may or may not want to wait for.
This could be one of the last MacBook with Intel processors before Apple moves to in-house designed chips. Apple is said to have plans to switch to its own ARM-based Mac chips by the end of 2020. These are likely to be deployed first in MacBooks (not iMacs), as they can take the most advantage of battery life and performance improvements. There are rumors about the return of the 12-inch MacBook, which Apple discontinued in 2015.
Still, there is a reason to choose a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Intel. Not all software will work with the new ARM processor right away, so you may run into compatibility issues. If you want certainty, it is not even such a bad idea to choose a model with Intel.
