Apple quietly pushed out an update to the MacBook Pro last week. While the general look and feel wasn't changed, there was a significant speed bump with options added for the latest Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors as well as the ability to add up to 32GB of memory and 4TB or storage. But a closer look reveals a couple of other big wins.
IFixIt has completed their full teardown and revealed a redesigned keyboard with a membrane that protects the innards of the device. There have been many complaints made with users finding even the smallest grains of dust causing keys to malfunction.
The keyboard is also reported to be quieter than the previous version.
While the keyboard update is nice, the best part of the upgrade is the addition of full speed on all four Thunderbolt 3 ports. The original release of the 13-inch TouchBar MacBook Pro boasted four Thunderbolt 3 ports but only two of the ports offered full speed. the ports on the right side limited because of a design compromise Apple made.
The non-TouchBar MacBook Pro wasn't subject to this limitation.
So, while Apple routinely updates their notebook and desktop systems (except for the Mac mini) with regular processor updates, a couple of extra additions make this a worthwhile update.
By the way, if you purchased a MacBook Pro before the upgrade was released, and it's been less than two weeks since you bought, you can take advantage of Apple's two-week no questions asked return policy to get a refund and move to the new model.
Originally published in Lifehacker Australia on 20 July 2018: https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/07/apples-macbook-pro-update-is-more-than-a-minor-speed-bump/