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Touch Bar MacBook Pro Q&A
Revision Published August 6, 2018
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What are all the differences between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models? Which is best for me?
The "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and is quite useful for anyone considering any of these models on the used market.
There are four standard configurations of the "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models -- 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.
There also are four custom processor configurations, which EveryMac.com documents as their own models for reader convenience. These custom configurations are the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.4 13", "Core i5" 3.1 13" Touch Bar, "Core i7" 3.3 13" Touch Bar, and "Core i7" 2.9 15" Touch Bar.
As you might guess from EveryMac.com's naming convention, some models have "Touch Bar" functionality and others do not, but there are many other differences that are at least as important and that are not nearly as obvious. Consequently, an in-depth comparison is necessary to determine which notebook is best for you.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Touch Bar MacBook Pro Models)
External Differences
The 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Late 2016" models use a similar and effectively "sealed" waifishly thin aluminum and glass design of uniform thickness. The 13-Inch models 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). Both sizes are available in either a silver colored aluminum or a darker "Space Gray" colored aluminum housing (but not other colors).
Both sizes have a high-resolution LED-backlit, P3 color gamut, widescreen "Retina" display, but the physical dimensions and resolutions are different. 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 models from both sizes have integrated stereo speakers, a 720p FaceTime HD webcam, a thin "second generation butterfly mechanism" keyboard design with limited travel when you press on the keys, and massively oversized "Force Touch" trackpads.
However, the entry-level 13-Inch "non-Touch Bar" models (A1708) have two microphones and traditional function keys. On the other hand, the higher-end 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Touch Bar" models (A1706 and A1707, respectively) have three microphones and a new 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 Differences
All "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models have minimal connectivity. However, all have a "traditional" 3.5 mm headphone jack that does not support optical audio and Thunderbolt 3 ports. Note that these Thunderbolt 3 ports also support USB-C.
There are significant differences between the Thunderbolt 3 ports on each series, though. The "non-Touch Bar" models (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, although as first reported by ArsTechnica, the "non-Touch Bar" model has slower Wi-Fi (867Mbps rather than 1.3Gbps like the "Touch Bar" models).
Identification Differences
At the time they were released, the "Late 2016" MacBook Pro models had unique external Model Numbers. Specifically, the entry-level 13-Inch "non-Touch Bar" models are A1708, the higher-end 13-Inch "Touch Bar" models are A1706, and the 15-Inch "Touch Bar" models are A1707.
However, because these model numbers are shared by subsequent notebooks, Model Identifiers, in software, and EMC Numbers, externally, are better for unique identification.
Just as the site has done for more than two decades, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details for your convenience:
"Late 2016" MacBook Pro |
Model ID |
EMC |
13-Inch |
||
13-Inch (Touch Bar) |
||
15-Inch (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
The Touch Bar MacBook Pro models effectively are sealed and intended to be disposable. However, there is one surprising internal difference between the entry-level 13-Inch "non-Touch Bar" and other models, though.
The major internal differences are easiest to understand as a chart:
"Late 2016" MacBook Pro |
13" No Touch Bar |
13" Touch Bar |
15" Touch Bar |
Processor Cores |
2 |
2 |
4 |
Graphics Processors |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated & Dedicated |
Ext. Display Support |
4096x2304 x2 |
4096x2304 x2 |
4096x2304 x4 |
Soldered RAM (LPDDR3) |
1866 MHz |
2133 MHz |
2133 MHz |
SSD Storage |
Removable |
Soldered |
Soldered |
Battery Watt Hours |
54.5 W h |
49.2 W h |
76.0 W h |
Battery Design |
Glued |
Glued |
Glued |
Essentially, the entry-level 13-Inch models have slower RAM, but they also have a removable SSD storage module and a higher capacity battery relative to its size. The higher-end 13-Inch models have slightly faster dual core processors and faster RAM, but have a soldered SSD and a lower capacity battery. Finally, the 15-Inch models have much faster quad core processors and dual graphics processors, but soldered SSDs. All models use a "tiered" battery design that is glued in place and cannot be replaced by an individual.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the "Late 2016" Touch Bar MacBook Pro models -- processors, storage, memory, video processors, displays, battery life, features, identifiers, and original prices -- are summarized below:
 13" Late 2016 No Touch Bar |
 13" Late 2016 Touch Bar |
 15" Late 2016 Touch Bar |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Processors: | I5-6360U I7-6660U |
I5-6267U I5-6287U I7-6567U |
I7-6700HQ I7-6820HQ I7-6920HQ |
| Cores: | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Speed: | 2.0 GHz 2.4 GHz |
2.9 GHz 3.1 GHz 3.3 GHz |
2.6 GHz 2.7 GHz 2.9 GHz |
| Turbo Boost: | 3.1 GHz 3.4 GHz |
3.3 GHz 3.5 GHz 4.6 GHz |
3.5 GHz 3.6 GHz 3.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache: | 4 MB | 4 MB | 6 MB, 8 MB |
| Std. Storage: | 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Storage Upgrade: | Removable | Soldered | Soldered |
| Std. RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Max RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† | 16 GB |
| RAM Type: | 1866 MHz LPDDR3 | 2133 MHz DDR3L | 2133 MHz DDR3L |
| Video Card(s): | Iris 540 |
Iris 550 | HD Graphics 530 AMD Radeon 450/455 |
| GDDR5: | Integrated Only | Integrated Only | 2 GB |
| Display: | 13.3" | 13.3" | 15.4" |
| Std. Resolution: | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | 10 Hours |
| Battery Design: | Glued | Glued | Glued |
| Touch Bar: | None | Yes | Yes |
| Touch ID: | None | Yes | Yes |
| Thunderbolt 3: | 2 | 2, 2* | 4 |
| Microphones: | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 802.11ac: | 867Mbps | 1.3Gbps | 1.3Gbps |
| Height (In): | 0.59 | 0.59 | 0.61 |
| Width (In): | 11.97 | 11.97 | 13.75 |
| Depth (In): | 8.36 | 8.36 | 9.48 |
| Weight: | 3.02 lbs | 3.02 lbs | 4.02 lbs |
| Order No (US): | MLL42LL/A MLUQ2LL/A |
MLH12LL/A |
MLH32LL/A |
| Model No: | A1708 | A1706 | A1707 |
| EMC No: | 2978 | 3071 | 3072 |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro13,1 | MacBookPro13,2 | MacBookPro13,3 |
| Orig. Price (US): | US$1499, US$1799 | US$1799-US$2499 | US$2399-US$2999 |
| Orig. Price (UK): | £1449, £1719 |
£1749-£2219 | £2349-£2879 |
| Orig. Price (CA): | C$1899, C$2259 |
C$2299-C$2909 | C$2999-C$3739 |
| Orig. Price (AU): | A$2199, A$2679 |
A$2699-A$3479 | A$3599-A$4569 |
† All "Late 2016" 13-Inch MacBook Pro models 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 "Late 2016" 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.
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.
So, which is best for me?
As the "Late 2016" MacBook Pro represents an all new design -- and the first version of nearly any new product from any company whether it is a computer, car, or electric toothbrush, is more likely to have problems over its lifespan than a more mature product -- most users would be best off purchasing a previous MacBook Pro model from 2015 that is both more tested in the real-world and significantly cheaper (or a later model).
However, if you had your heart set on one of the "Late 2016" MacBook Pro when it was released, EveryMac.com suggested purchasing either the cheapest entry-level MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.0 13" model as it has the best battery life and an upgradable SSD module or the high-end stock MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15" Touch Bar as it has a 512 GB SSD by default as well as the best overall and graphics performance.
The middle model, the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.9 13" Touch Bar, is much more compromised as it has inferior battery life compared to the entry-level model and the same default storage capacity as the entry-level model, but soldered in place, and it cost more when new. Compared to the higher-end 15" models, it has a slower processor and graphics processor, less RAM by default, and compromised Thunderbolt 3 support. It does, of course, have a Touch Bar, but this is not worth the other compromises and the higher price tag for most users.
Of course, for someone who wanted the most performance possible in a "Late 2016" MacBook Pro, and to whom price is no object, the custom configured MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.9 15" Touch Bar is the ultimate choice.
Now, on the used market, the value proposition may have shifted somewhat, but the entry-level or higher-end models still remain the better choices.
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.
In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used MacBook Pro models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.
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