The 2019 15-inch MacBook Pro is the creme-de-la-creme of Apple laptops. Apple has switched to eighth- and ninth-generation Intel processors for the 2019 model year, which in the case of the 15-inch MacBook Pro means a six-core, 2.6GHz Core i7 chip in the entry-level machine. That unit can Turbo Boost to 4.5GHz.
Other defaults include 16GB of 2.4GHz DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD, and AMD's Radeon Pro 555X for graphics. The card includes 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM.
If money is no object, the next step up incorporates an eight-core, 2.3GHz Core i9 processor, a 512GB SSD, and a Radeon Pro 560X graphics card. Those wanting the most powerful MacBook Pro can upgrade to a 2.4GHz Core i9, 32GB of RAM, a Radeon Pro Vega 16 or 20, and/or as much as 4TB of SSD space (smaller storage options are available). A fully maxed-out system costs $6,549 (retail) -- and that's before any software or peripherals. You can save hundreds of dollars by relying on external SSDs and taking advantage of exclusive promo code discounts.
Similar customization is there for the entry-level model, but you absolutely have to buy the top-tier one if you want Vega graphics. You may want a Vega GPU if you're hoping to do serious gaming or rendering without an external GPU.
The display is a 220ppi, 2,880-by-1,800 panel with support for the P3 color gamut and Apple's True Tone technology, which adjusts color temperature to ambient lighting. Ports include a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack and four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C connections, two on either side. Further tech specs include a 720p FaceTime HD camera, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo speakers, and three microphones.
Significantly Apple has introduced a new butterfly keyboard, intended to cope with complaints about double-typing or outright unresponsive keys.
Apple promises up to 10 hours of Web browsing or video playback, and 30 days of standby time. The laptop comes in Silver or Space Gray, bundled with an 87-watt USB-C power adapter and a 6.5-foot USB-C cable.
Retail prices for Apple's MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) start at $2,399 USD (retail), although coupon savings are available on many models exclusively for AppleInsider readers. For more information, see the product configuration selector to your right.
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