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Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published August 17, 2019
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What are all the differences between the "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models and the "Late 2016" models replaced?
All "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful to anyone considering one of these notebooks on the used market.
There are four standard configurations of the "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models alike.
Specifically, the stock "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models are the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.0 13", "Core i5" 2.9 13" Touch Bar, "Core i7" 2.6 15" Touch Bar, and "Core i7" 2.7 15" Touch Bar.
Likewise, the stock "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models are the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.3 13", "Core i5" 3.1 13" Touch Bar, "Core i7" 2.8 15" Touch Bar, and "Core i7" 2.9 15" Touch Bar.
After the introduction of the "Mid-2018" MacBook Pro models, Apple continued to sell the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.3 13" without a Touch Bar as new, but finally discontinued this model on July 9, 2019.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Touch Bar MacBook Pro Models)
With even a detailed inspection of these models, it is difficult to tell them apart. However, there are internal differences that are important and a detailed comparison can be useful accordingly.
External Similarities
The "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models use essentially the same "sealed" aluminum and glass cases that are uniformly thick and practically are identical externally.
The 13-Inch models from both lines are 0.59 of an inch thick and weigh 3.02 pounds (1.37 kg) whereas the 15-Inch models are 0.61 of an inch thick and weigh 4.02 pounds (1.83 kg). Color options include a silver colored aluminum or a darker "Space Gray" colored aluminum housing.
Both lines use the same high-resolution LED-backlit, P3 color gamut, widescreen "Retina" displays. The 13-Inch models have a 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi, 500 nits) display and the 15-Inch models have a 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi, 500 nits) display.
All of these models have integrated stereo speakers, a 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a thin "second generation butterfly mechanism" keyboard design with limited travel when you press down on the keys, and large "Force Touch" trackpads.
However, the entry-level 13-Inch models from both lines without a Touch Bar (A1708) have two microphones and traditional function keys. The higher-end 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Touch Bar" models (A1706 and A1707, respectively) have three microphones and an integrated "Touch Bar" that replaces the traditional function keys (and the escape key) with a touch-sensitive control that adapts for different applications and provides Touch ID login and Apple Pay support.
Connectivity Similarities
The "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models have identical connectivity.
All of these models have a "traditional" 3.5 mm headphone jack that does not support optical audio and Thunderbolt 3 ports. These Thunderbolt 3 ports are size compatible with USB-C and support USB-C devices.
There are significant differences between the Thunderbolt 3 ports on different models, though. The "non-Touch Bar" models from both lines (A1708) have two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The higher-end 13-Inch "Touch Bar" models (A1706) have four Thunderbolt 3 ports, but the two ports on the right side of the notebook operate at reduced speed. Finally, the 15-Inch "Touch Bar" models (A1707) have four full speed Thunderbolt 3 ports.
All of these notebooks provide USB 3.1 Generation 2 (up to 10 Gbps) performance when connected to a USB-C device. They also all have Bluetooth 4.2 and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
Identification Differences
It is not possible to differentiate between the "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models by Model Number as models of the same size and type share Model Numbers. Entry-level 13-Inch models without the Touch Bar are A1708, the higher-end 13-Inch "Touch Bar" models are A1706, and the 15-Inch "Touch Bar" models are A1707.
However, it is possible to uniquely identify these models by Model Identifier, in software, and EMC Number, externally.
Just as the site has done for decades, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details from the hardware itself for your convenience:
MacBook Pro |
Model ID |
EMC |
13-Inch (Late 2016) |
||
13-Inch (Late 2016, Touch Bar) |
||
15-Inch (Late 2016, Touch Bar) |
||
13-Inch (Mid-2017) |
||
13-Inch (Mid-2017, Touch Bar) |
||
15-Inch (Mid-2017, Touch Bar) |
Additionally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify each one of the Touch Bar MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers, which are listed in software as well as on the bottom of the system.
Internal Differences
Both the "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro lines have little in common with one another internally. The "Late 2016" models use the "Skylake" architecture whereas the "Mid-2017" models use the newer "Kaby Lake" architecture as well as newer graphics processors and faster SSD storage.
Surprisingly, despite being formally documented as "onboard," the entry-level 13-Inch models from both lines have a removable SSD storage module. The higher-end 13-Inch models with a Touch Bar and the 15-Inch models have soldered storage that cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase.
Both lines have batteries that are of identical capacity for each size and each unfortunately are glued in place.
Comparison Charts
The major differences between the "Late 2016" and "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details.
13-Inch "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro Models
 13" Late 2016 |
13" Mid-2017 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Architecture: | Skylake | Kaby Lake |
| Processor Cores: | 2 | 2 |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Max RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† |
| RAM Speed: | 1866/2133 MHz | 2133 MHz |
| Standard Storage: | 256, 512 GB | 128, 256, 512 GB |
| Storage Upgrade: | Removable/Soldered* | Removable/Soldered* |
| Video Card(s): | Iris 540/550 | Iris Plus 640/650 |
| Ext. Display: | 4096x2304 x2 | 4096x2304 x2 |
| Battery Life: | 10 Hours | 10 Hours |
| Battery Capacity: | 54.5 W h/49.2 W h | 54.5 W h/49.2 W h |
| Touch Bar: | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Touch ID: | No/Yes | No/Yes |
| Thunderbolt: | 2 (3.0), 4** (3.0) | 2 (3.0), 4** (3.0) |
| Microphones: | 2, 3 | 2, 3 |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ac | 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth: | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Height (In): | 0.59 | 0.59 |
| Width (In): | 11.97 | 11.97 |
| Depth (In): | 8.36 | 8.36 |
| Weight: | 3.02 lbs | 3.02 lbs |
| Model No: | A1708/A1706 | A1708/A1706 |
| EMC No: | 2978/3071 | 3164/3163 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro13,1/13,2 | MacBookPro14,1/14,2 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1499-US$1999 | US$1299-US$1999 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1449-£1949 | £1249-£1949 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1899-C$2549 |
C$1729-C$2649 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$2199-A$2999 | A$1899-A$2999 |
† All of these MacBook Pro models can, or could, be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM, but only at the time of initial purchase. RAM cannot be upgraded after purchase in any of these models.
* The non-Touch Bar models have removable storage. The Touch Bar models have soldered storage that cannot be upgraded after purchase.
** These 13-Inch MacBook Pro models with a Touch Bar have four Thunderbolt 3 ports, but the two ports on the right side operate at a slower speed.
15-Inch "Touch Bar" MacBook Pro Models
 15" Late 2016 |
15" Mid-2017 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Architecture: | Skylake | Kaby Lake |
| Processor Cores: | 4 | 4 |
| Standard RAM: | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† |
| RAM Speed: | 2133 MHz | 2133 MHz |
| Standard Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Storage Upgrade: | Soldered | Soldered |
| Graphics Processor(s): | HD Graphics 530 AMD Radeon 450/455 |
HD Graphics 630 AMD Radeon Pro 555/560 |
| GDDR5 VRAM: | 2 GB | 2 GB, 4 GB |
| Ext. Display Support: | 4096x2304 x4 | 4096x2304 x4 |
| Battery W Hrs: | 76.0 W Hr | 76.0 W Hr |
| Battery Life: | 10 Hours | 10 Hours |
| Touch Bar: | Yes | Yes |
| Touch ID: | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt: | 4 (3.0) | 4 (3.0) |
| Wi-Fi: | 802.11ac | 802.11ac |
| Bluetooth: | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Dimensions: | 0.61 x 13.75 x 9.48 | 0.61 x 13.75 x 9.48 |
| Weight: | 4.02 lbs (1.83 kg) | 4.02 lbs (1.83 kg) |
| EMC Number: | 3072 | 3162 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro13,3 | MacBookPro14,3 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$2399, US$2799 | US$2399, US$2799 |
| Intro Price (UK): | £2349, £2699 | £2349, £2699 |
| Intro Price (CA): | C$2999, C$3499 | C$3199, C$3699 |
| Intro Price (AU): | A$3599, A$4249 | A$3499, A$4099 |
† RAM is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded.
For introductory pricing in dozens of other countries, see the "Global Prices" on the specs page for each Mac as well as the "By Global Original Prices" section of EveryMac.com.
Comparison Summary
Ultimately, the "Mid-2017" MacBook Pro line is a modest internal upgrade of the "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models that came before them. However, the improvement in performance is notable in many benchmarks and tasks.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
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