Apple's MacBook Pro refresh appeals to power users

The beefier 15-inch model is now six-core machine, with Intel Core i7 and i9 processor options, up to 4TB of storage and up to 32GB of DDR4 memory.   With the 13-inch model, you have choice of Core i5 and i7 chips, including quad-core CPUs on Touch Bar models.   As for graphics, the 15-inch model is once again the performer, with AMD Radeon Pro GPUs and at least 4GB of VRAM.   Apple will also be selling GPU in its store for the time, $699 model from Blackmagic that feature AMD Radeon Pro 580 graphics, 8GB of GDDR5 memory, quiet 18db performance and slew of ports that includes two Thunderbolt 3 sockets, four USB 3.0 connections and one HDMI 2.0 output.   Additionally both models pack Apple's custom T2 security chip, including the controller.   Also, the fact that T2 is always-on chip means that MacBook Pros can respond to hands-free.   For one thing, I never thought MacBook Pro keyboard was that loud to begin with, and when I had chance to try it this week there was no opportunity to do side-by-side test.   There was iMac Pro launch back in the fall, how they were using Apple's professional-grade desktop.   Then there was Apple's education-themed iPad event this spring, where teachers took the stage, seemingly to address other teachers.   This time, for MacBook Pros, ers to pre-selected group of creators -- photographers, musicians, coders --.   Read more