Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch: Apple M1 Chip with 8 Core CPU and 8 Core GPU 512GB storage - Silver MYDC2X/A review

This feels like the start of something impressive thanks to new Apple silicon in the M1 processor - which results in lots of power and impressive battery life. It will be fascinating to see not only where Apple goes next, but how the industry responds.

Fast and powerful - and paves the way for Apple silicon future; No obvious issues with multi-tiered app operation - it just works; Super battery life; Great screen

Design hasn't changed - and looks a little tired; No new features beyond the new processor; Only up to 16GB of RAM; Touch Bar still not a must-have; Just the two ports

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch: Apple M1 Chip with 8 Core CPU and 8 Core GPU 512GB storage - Silver MYDC2X/A review

The easiest, best way to think about the new entry-level MacBook Pro is that it is a MacBook Air with a fan.

Great performance; Excellent battery life; Great display

Only two USB ports; Can’t get more than 16GB of RAM; Miserable webcam; Touch Bar makes everything harder; not easier

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch: Apple M1 Chip with 8 Core CPU and 8 Core GPU 512GB storage - Silver MYDC2X/A review

Now powered by Apple’s M1 CPU, the 13-inch MacBook Pro remains a workhorse for those who want a compact macOS laptop that's still powerful enough to perform processor-intensive workflows.

Long battery life; Speedy performance from Apple M1 chip; Brilliant Retina display; Excellent build quality; Comfortable keyboard and trackpad; Improved webcam

Only two USB-C ports; Stingy standard 256GB SSD; 8GB RAM; No touch screen

Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch: Apple M1 Chip with 8 Core CPU and 8 Core GPU 512GB storage - Silver MYDC2X/A review

With every iPhone or iPad release, Apple routinely points out how it controls the entire product, and in turn, how the overall experience benefits from that granular authority. From iOS or iPadOS, to the entire hardware experience, right down to the processor -- Apple owns it all.

Fast and powerful; Long battery life; All around app support; Improve camera; despite still 720p

Some iPad apps need an update; Same design will be tired for some; Can get pricey with upgrade options; Caps out at 16GB

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar review

We're rather in love with the MacBook Pro, but as with many love affairs there are irritations. The trackpad is huge and wonderful to use; but it's so big that the keyboard has been pushed up to make room, as well as flattened down to make the laptop slimmer. These factors together mean typing on the new Pro is a little harder - especially for touch typists, who will struggle to locate keys at first - than on on previous models. And those arrow keys are a nightmare. The Touch Bar is lovely to look at and fun to use. Right now it's fun, but we're reasonably confident that it will become essential. This is a fast machine, of course, but maybe not quite fast enough for some tastes; it's worth reflecting on that maximum spec of 16GB of RAM, which may hold this machine back from a role in genuine pro settings. All in all, this is a fast and beautiful laptop but one with some flaws to consider.