MacBook Pro 2017 Rumors: Touch Bar Feature to Be Abandoned?
When Apple launched its latest MacBook Pro lineup, only the 13-inch model with the lowest-end configuration arrived without the Touch Bar. This gave Apple users and tech enthusiasts the impression that the Touch Bar would very likely become a permanent staple for MacBook Pro laptops in the future. However, recent reports now suggest that such may no longer be the case.
According to a report by OS News, the next update to the MacBook Pro lineup could arrive later this year, with the higher-end 15-inch laptop launching without the Touch Bar. This decision is reportedly due to professionals' poor response to the current MacBook Pro laptops, particularly the Touch Bar feature.
However, this doesn't mean that the company will completely abandon the Touch Bar. Instead, Apple may give customers the option of whether or not they want the feature on their 15-inch MacBook Pro laptop. Hence, the MacBook Pro laptop without the Touch Bar will presumably be cheaper than the model equipped with it.
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As previously reported, the next MacBook Pro models might include support for up to 32 GB of random-access memory (RAM). The lineup could come in 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB solid state drive (SSD) options as well. The laptops will also be power-efficient and have improved battery life since they will reportedly use Intel Kaby Lake processors, which are capable of providing up to 9.5 hours of 4K video playback.
The MacBook Pro 2017 could also feature four USB Type-C ports, with a Kaby Lake-integrated graphics processing unit (GPU) running on the 13-inch models and the AMD Radeon Pro GPU on the 15-inch line.
Apple has yet to make an announcement on when the next MacBook Pro lineup will be released. However, previous rumors suggest the mass production of the laptops will take place in the early third quarter of the year, specifically in July.
If the rumors are proven to be true, Apple fans and tech enthusiasts can expect the new MacBook Pro models to launch in the second half of 2017.
