2016 MacBook Pro: Specs, price, and which model you should get

At its “October 27 Mac event” in Cupertino today, Apple announced its 2016 MacBook Pro lineup (read our hands-on). There are three models to choose from, and it’s not a very easy decision to make.

Preorders begin today, and the devices will begin shipping in a few weeks. Before you decide whether you want function keys or the Touch Bar, and assuming you don’t want to take advantage of Microsoft’s offer, there are a few important tradeoffs you should know about. The tables below compare the two 13-inch base models and options for the 15-inch base model, so you can get a proper understanding of the difference before you start customizing and making upgrades.

 
In short, if you pay the extra $300 to go with the Touch Bar instead of function keys, you’ll get slightly better graphics, a fingerprint sensor, two more Thunderbolt ports, one more microphone, and a smaller battery in return. And, of course, the Touch Bar version can be upgraded more — not just with a bigger SSD, but also with a more powerful processor (3.1GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 3.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7).

If you want the 15-inch model, the Touch Bar is mandatory. There’s simply no other option.

 
For the 15-inch model, you can pay an extra $400 to get a bigger hard drive, more powerful processor, and better graphics. That’s arguably an easier decision to make.