There are a few surprises. There's an unusually beefy three-microphone array, possibly to improve Siri voice commands. And curiously, the speakers on the 13-inch Touch Bar system don't actually sit underneath the grilles -- those openings are only there for the more conventional model. Instead, sound blasts out the side vents.

There are advantages to this design. It's more compact and lighter than its predecessors despite the improved performance and extra features. However, there's no denying that the new MacBook Pro represents the end of an era for Apple's pro machines. Although there weren't that many people upgrading SSDs or otherwise tinkering with previous-generation MacBook Pros, this system effectively rules that out. It's a powerful portable appliance rather than a conventional PC, and you're expected to use it as-is until you need a full-fledged replacement.