Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro review: The device that will sort your needs for the next 5 years

The Pro is an expensive but excellent product.

By Aabhas Sharma, TOI Contributor | Updated: Aug 25, 2020, 10.19 AM IST

Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro sits in the middle of the usage spectrum and has multiple processor configuration options.

Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro
GET IT FOR: Starts at Rs 1,22,990
HIGHLIGHT: Magic keyboard

In Apple's universe, the 13-inch MacBook Pro is a bit of an oddity yet a crucial device. It is not for hardcore professionals and not for those who want a lightweight device like the MacBook Air. The new Pro is the device to get people into the Mac ecosystem - the one that lures and converts those who are on Windows.

Starting at Rs 1,22,990, it comes with an all-new Magic keyboard, which is quiet and extremely comfortable to use. The keycaps are sturdy and there is ample travel time between the keys. The trackpad remains one of the best in the business and there is also the TouchBar, a feature that has, sadly, not grown on us but retains a fan following.

In terms of design, the MacBook Pro isn't different from the Apple laptops launched in the past couple of years. It speaks volumes about Apple's design philosophy that even after four years or so, the MacBook design looks and feels minty fresh. It is still really slim and light. The Thunderbolt 3 ports are adequate. But for those who like to plug in multiple external devices, a dongle might be a good idea.

The 13.3-inch LED display remains sharp and crisp but there are others like HP that offer an OLED display in this price range. The base storage variant now gets an upgrade and starts at 256GB. The processor configurations on the MacBook are many - and confusing as hell. You can get the 10th gen Intel Core i5 processor or an 8th gen Core i7 processor. It is a bit of a surprise to see slightly older hardware options in a new MacBook Pro.

Having said that, the performance of the new Pro is consistently great. We did editing - not heavy duty - of images on LightRoom and some video editing in Affinity and encountered zero issues. Routine tasks were handled without even breaking a sweat and there were no heating issues either. The speakers - although not as great as the ones on the 16-inch MacBook Pro - sounded remarkably good and far better than any we have seen on a 13-inch laptop.

The Pro is an expensive but excellent product. We say that about almost every Apple device. But this should get your needs sorted for the next 5 years.

The writer is with gadgetsnow.com

A Sigh Of Relief: Apple iOS 13.3 Released, Reportedly Fixes The Most ‘Annoying’ Bugs

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Back when Apple announced iOS 13 at the last WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference), probably no Apple user had expected so many bugs and issues to creep into their phones. Apple delivered most of the features it had promised with iOS 13.2 which was rolled out on October 30.

However, to fix the problems that users are facing, Apple has released iOS 13.3 to those who had signed up for beta testing. Reportedly, iOS 13.3 has fixed quite a few bugs, including the one which is being dubbed as the most ‘annoying’ problem till date.