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Apple MacBook Pro
Source: Apple

Before Monday, the last major redesign for Apple‘s larger MacBook Pros came in 2016, with several features that looked to the future.

The 2016 MacBook Pros sported universal USB-C connectors that could power displays and peripherals, a “butterfly” keyboard that allowed the devices to become even thinner, and a long, narrow touchscreen at the top of the keyboard called “Touch Bar,” in a device powered by an Intel processor.

Apple’s new MacBook Pro models, announced on Monday, conspicuously lack all of those features.

The MacBook Pro are strategically important for the company, because programmers can only make iPhone apps on a Mac, and picky programmers often choose the most powerful machine they can get. But Apple’s pro laptops are pricey, starting at $1,999 with some configurations costing more than $6,000.

The new machines address longstanding user complaints, revealing that Apple does listen to user feedback, especially from programmers and other professional users.

It turns out, Apple’s last redesign for the MacBook Pro wasn’t popular among picky users, leading to a period between 2017 and 2020 with eight out of 10 quarters of flat or negative annual growth in its Mac business.

It didn’t take long for problems to crop up with Apple’s pricey laptops after the redesign in 2016.

  • Users complained they needed pricey adapters to plug in mice or thumb drives, and missed Apple’s older MagSafe connector, which ingeniously disconnected if someone tripped over the power cord.
  • The butterfly keyboard was unreliable, with keys getting stuck due to crumbs or dust. Apple is still repairing butterfly keyboards for free, and even faced a class action lawsuit over them.
  • The Intel chips insider Apple’s MacBook Pros ran hot, making them uncomfortable to use on your lap.
  • Users and developers never embraced the Touch Bar, and touch typists complained you needed to look at it in order to pick a button.

The laptops that Apple announced on Monday look more like the pre-2016 MacBook Pro:

  • The new MacBook Pro models still use USB-C connectors, which have become an industry standard. But the three Thunderbolt USB-C ports also have an HDMI port alongside them for connecting monitors, and a SD Card slot for downloading photos from a professional camera. It now uses a magnetic MagSafe connector to charge.
  • They use Apple’s Magic Keyboard, which is a more traditional design that’s deeper and has garnered positive reviews.
  • Apple is no longer using Intel chips in its newest laptops, instead opting for its own silicon, which is designed to be power-efficient and not waste energy by giving off heat. The new design also has feet to prop up the laptop and improve airflow.
  • There’s no Touch Bar on the new Macs. It’s replaced by traditional function keys that can control screen brightness, media playback, and a big escape key, which is important for programmers.

The biggest advancement from Apple’s perspective is the chip inside the new 16-inch and 14-inch MacBook Pros. They use Apple’s own M1 chips, either in “Pro” or “Max” configurations, instead of the same Intel or AMD chips Windows PCs use.

An Apple employee points to the Touch Bar on a new Apple MacBook Pro laptop
Stephen Lam | Getty Images

Apple’s chips have led to improved battery life in computers they’ve shipped in, like the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air. While the ultimate laptop processor speed crown is contested, it’s clear that Apple’s chips are good enough to send emails, browse the web, and even get some light gaming in.

But users who care less about the guts and specs inside their computers may find the new design — which does not depend on technological improvements over the past half decade — to be more convincing reasons to upgrade than the number of transistors in the M1 Pro Max (57 billion, for the record).

Since Apple began to update its laptops with new keyboards and chips, the Mac division has been on a roll, selling $26 billion worth in the most recent three quarters, which Apple CEO Tim Cook says is the company’s “three best quarters ever” in the Mac’s 40-year history. Even before Apple released its new MacBook Pros, sales were up nearly 33% annually over that period.

That sales boost was partially due to the pandemic. But it was also partially driven by releasing new computers that had reliable keyboards and strong battery life. On Monday, Apple extended that strategy to its higher-end computers, and extended it by bringing magnetic charging and a port for connecting displays back.

Improvements aside, the 2021 MacBook Pro could still arouse controversy among Mac loyalists. The computer comes with a “notch” or an iPhone-like cutout to house the laptop’s improved 1080p webcam — a controversial design move that could distract users.

Expect Apple to continue to revamp its laptop lineup, especially in the lower-cost, higher-volume models. The MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro have Apple’s M1 chip, but neither current model has a magnetic charger or HDMI port, and the 13-inch MacBook Pro still comes with a Touch Bar.

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YouTube wipes out thousands of propaganda channels linked to China, Russia, others

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YouTube wipes out thousands of propaganda channels linked to China, Russia, others

Beata Zawrzel | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Google announced Monday the removal of nearly 11,000 YouTube channels and other accounts tied to state-linked propaganda campaigns from China, Russia and more in the second quarter.

The takedown included more than 7,700 YouTube channels linked to China.

These campaigns primarily shared content in Chinese and English that promoted the People’s Republic of China, supported President Xi Jinping and commented on U.S. foreign affairs.

Over 2,000 removed channels were linked to Russia. The content was in multiple languages that supported Russia and criticized Ukraine, NATO and the West.

Google, in May, removed 20 YouTube channels, 4 Ads accounts, and 1 Blogger blog linked to RT, the Russian state-controlled media outlet accused of paying prominent conservative influencers for social media content ahead of the 2024 election.

Tim Pool, Dave Rubin and Benny Johnson — all staunch supporters of President Donald Trump — made content for Tenent Media, the Tennessee company described in the indictment, according to NBC News.

Read more CNBC tech news

YouTube began blocking RT channels in March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The active removal of accounts is part of the Google Threat Analysis Group’s work to counter global disinformation campaigns and “coordinated influence” operations.

Google’s second quarter report also outlined the removal of influence campaigns linked to Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey, Israel, Romania and Ghana that were found to be targeting political rivals.

Some campaigns centered on growing geopolitical conflicts, including narratives on both sides of the Israel-Palestine War.

CNBC has reached out to YouTube for further comment or information on the report.

Google took down more than 23,000 accounts in the first quarter.

Meta announced last week it removed about 10 million profiles for impersonating large content producers through the first half of 2025 as part of an effort by the company to combat “spammy content.”

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New Astronomer CEO gives first statement since Coldplay kiss-cam scandal

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New Astronomer CEO gives first statement since Coldplay kiss-cam scandal

Chris Martin of Coldplay performs live at San Siro Stadium, Milan, Italy, in July 2017.

Mairo Cinquetti | NurPhoto | Getty Images

Astronomer‘s interim CEO said in his first public comment since unexpectedly taking over the role on Saturday that he hopes to move the tech startup past the viral moment that captured national attention last week.

Pete DeJoy was appointed to the top job due to the resignation of CEO Andy Byron, days after he was caught on video in an intimate moment with the company’s head of human resources at a Coldplay concert. Astronomer said over the weekend that it would begin a search for a new CEO.

“The events of the past few days have received a level of media attention that few companies — let alone startups in our small corner of the data and AI world — ever encounter,” DeJoy wrote in a LinkedIn post on Monday. “The spotlight has been unusual and surreal for our team and, while I would never have wished for it to happen like this, Astronomer is now a household name.”

Byron was shown on a big screen at the concert in Boston on Wednesday with his arms around Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot. Byron, who is married with children, immediately hid when the couple was shown on screen. Lead singer Chris Martin said, “Either they’re having an affair or they’re just very shy.” A concert attendee’s video of the affair went viral.

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DeJoy helped start Astronomer in 2017, according to his LinkedIn profile, and had been serving as chief product officer since earlier this year.

In May, Astronomer announced a $93 million investment round led by Bain Ventures and other investors, including Salesforce Ventures.

“I’m stepping into this role with a wholehearted commitment to taking care of our people and delivering for our customers,” DeJoy wrote. He added that “our story is very much still being written.”

Astronomer is commercializing the open-source data operations platform Astro. DeJoy wrote that customers “trust us with their most ambitious data & AI projects” and that “we’re here because the mission is bigger than any one moment.”

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Figma IPO could value design software maker at $16 billion

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Figma IPO could value design software maker at  billion

Dylan Field, co-founder and CEO of Figma Inc., after the morning sessions at the Allen & Co. Media and Technology Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, on July 11, 2024.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Design software company Figma on Monday published an updated prospectus for its initial public offering.

The company said it expects to sell about 37 million shares at $25 to $28 each. That would generate as much as $1 billion in proceeds, between the company and selling shareholders.

The IPO could value Figma, led by co-founder Dylan Field, a fully diluted valuation of $14.6 billion to $16.4 billion. Field plans to sell 2.35 million shares, which could be worth as much as $65.8 million.

In a 2024 tender offer, investors valued the company at $12.5 billion. In 2022, Adobe had agreed to acquire Figma for $20 billion, but the deal was scrapped after regulators objected.

The flow of technology companies joining U.S. exchanges has slowed since late 2021. Concerns over inflation and a recession made some investors less interested in backing fast-growing but money-losing companies.

But a few technology stocks have become available in recent months. CoreWeave went public in March, and Circle and Chime shares started trading in June.

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Figma filed to go public on July 1, announcing plans to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FIG.”

On Monday, it provided preliminary results for the second quarter, showing $9.0 million to $12.0 million in operating income on $247 million to $250 million in revenue. That would imply year-over-year revenue growth of 39% at the low end and 41% at the high end. Growth in the first quarter exceeded 46%.

During the second quarter, Figma added clients and expanded business with existing ones. The company’s operating margin would be ticking up to 4% to 5%, up from 3% in the same quarter a year ago, based on the preliminary results.

Figma said it has authorized the issuance of “blockchain common stock” in the form of “blockchain-based tokens.” So far, though, Figma said it isn’t planning to issue this type of stock. In July, Figma disclosed investments in a stablecoin and a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund.

Mike Krieger, a co-founder of Instagram who is now chief product officer of artificial intelligence model developer Anthropic, has joined the board. Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Duolingo, is also joining the board, according to the filing.

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