Review: Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2016)

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The new generation of MacBook Pros feel like the very distillation of Apple’s design ideals. Thin, light, and powerful hardware that’s designed to dominate in content creation, but it does so at the expense of some personality.

Apple has always made premium notebooks for professionals. Featuring the latest technologies and necessary I/O ports for connecting to various peripherals and which replicated the capabilities of the desktop Macs. While costing a premium, Apple’s PowerBooks and MacBook Pros were tools that eventually paid for themselves. 

The previous MacBook Pro line has been the standard bearer of professionals and creatives. A step up from trusty MacBook Airs, the Pros didn’t just have great battery life, they had the top processing speed, and all the fine features that made getting work done a pleasure. With sharp Retina Displays, the best keyboard on the market, the best glass trackpads  and an abundance of the right kind of ports .

The new MacBook Pros, well. They’re something else entirely. 

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Apple renders some old products obsolete starting next month

When Apple products are labeled as obsolete, these products lose official Apple repair support. Products are usually rendered obsolete five to seven years after manufacturing has been discontinued, making the parts no longer available to repair staff. The products that have been rendered obsolete for Canada starting December 31, 2016 include the MackBook Pro 15-inch (early 2011), MacBook Pro 17-inch (early 2011), Mac mini (early 2009), and MacBook 13-inch (mid 2009).

Source: 9to5Mac

Apple to reportedly refresh Mac and iPad lineups

Added software support to the Apple Pencil, thinner MacBook Pros, and a standalone 5K monitor are supposedly in Apple’s future. Unnamed sources tell Bloomberg of the possible lineup Apple has in the coming months and year. One is new software and hardware updates for the iPad. Wider operating system support is supposedly in the future for the iPad and the Apple Pencil, which could come out next year. Apple’s stylus will reportedly be able to annotate objects in as many applications as possible across the OS, much like what Samsung has done with its Note devices. In terms of hardware, display technology will be boosted for the iPad for better zooming, panning, and scrolling. A 10.6-inch iPad Pro is supposedly on its way.

Meanwhile, for the Mac line we might see new products as early as October. These include everything from a new iMac with new AMD graphics chips, a new MacBook Air with USB Type-C support, and a thinner MackBook Pro. Aside from that, Apple is supposedly working with LG Electronics to develop a new standalone 5K monitor. Apple is set to unveil new iPhones, a new Apple Watch, and iOS 10 update at its September 7 event in San Francisco.

Apple opens a replacement program for the USB-C charge cable of the Retina MacBook

If you’ve been noticing issues with the charging cable of your Retina MacBook, that may not be your fault. Apple’s just launched a worldwide replacement program for its USB-C charge cables that come with the 12-inch Retina MacBook sold from April 2015 through June 2015. These cables can supposedly fail due to a “design issue.” It could possibly not charge your MacBook or charge it intermittently while connected to a power adapter. The problematic cables can be identified with the label “Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.” The redesigned cable will have the same words but with a serial number included.

Apple will give these MacBook users the redesigned USB-C cable for free. The replacement program doesn’t just cover those that ship with the MacBook but also faulty cables that were sold as standalone accessories. Customers who gave a valid mailing address when they registered or purchased their MacBook through Apple’s Online Store will get sent the new cables immediately. Other eligible MacBook owners can get in touch with Apple Support, look for an Authorized Service Provider, or visit an Apple retail store to get the cables replaced. You can get your cable replaced until June 8, 2018.

Source: Apple | Via: MacRumors