New Apple Devices Spring 2020: 16 is the new 15

Like in previous Neptun Waves, we selected five recommended configurations of the MacBook Air, Pro 13, and Pro 16 which all come with a 3-year DQ CarePlan warranty extension. These configurations are set at sensible price points with different users in mind. However, if you want to configure your own MacBook, you can do so with the same discount of 15%. All hardware configurations, case colors, and keyboard layouts are available. Keep in mind that you have to add warranty extensions manually with custom configurations. Otherwise your device is only covered for two years.

Apple’s desktop computers are also available at a 14% discount. This naturally includes the new Mac Pro and the Pro Display XDR. All iPads are available at 7% discount.

MacBook Pro 16

The MacBook Pro 15 has been replaced by the new MacBook Pro 16. With a larger 16” display in an only marginally larger case, the new MacBook features improved cooling and much faster graphics cards. The new Radeon Pro 5000 GPUs are much faster than the older Radeon Pro 500 models, and they are a worthy upgrade compared to the Vega 16 and 20 GPUs. Additionally, the MacBook Pro 16 now features a new keyboard, which feels much more like the old Apple keyboards before the Butterfly era. As a bonus, Apple has finally updated their storage prices, so you now get about twice as much storage for the same price.

MacBook Air and Pro 13

The MacBook Air received a small update with a new Retina screen that now supports True Tone, just like the MacBook Pros. Additionally, Apple lowered the price by about CHF 100.-.

The MacBook Pro 13 without Touchbar is no more. It was replaced by the new MacBook Pro 13 with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. This MacBook Pro 13 now features an Intel i5 or i7 quadcore CPU with almost twice the performance of the previous model. 

The MacBook Pro 13 with four Thunderbolt 3 ports also received a small update to Intel’s current CPU generation, while the rest of the device remained untouched. The CPUs in this machine are allowed to draw more power than the ones in the MacBook Pro 13 with two TB3 ports, which gives it about 20% more performance when comparing the same CPU series.

iPads

The iPad Air and the iPad Mini were overhauled with current hardware, which now makes them good choices again in Apple’s iPad lineup. The Air, the Mini as well as the regular iPad now all support the first-generation Apple Pencil, making them great secondary devices for notetaking in the lecture hall. The iPad Pro supports the second-generation Apple Pencil which charges wirelessly.

Demo Days

At our Demo Days at universities all over Switzerland, you will be able to get some hands-on experience with all the new devices. Neptun staff and staff from the manufacturers will be there to help you find the right device.