Apple unveils new MacBook Pro featuring touch-sensitive display bar

Tech giant Apple has revealed that the latest iteration in its revitalised line of MacBook Pro laptops will come equipped with a customisable touch-sensitive display bar.

The new Touch Bar, a narrow display strip occupying the top of the computer’s keyboard, will take the place traditionally held by the function keys.

The Touch Bar can be configured to display a range of functions, and will employ direct integration with software such as Final Cut Pro and Adobe Photoshop.

The bar will be accompanied by a Touch ID fingerprint verification sensor, using technology first introduced with Apple’s iPhone 5s.

The new MacBook Pros will be released in two sizes, 13” and 15” – however only the higher-end version of the 13” and the 15” will feature the Touch Bar and the Touch ID.

All models will come with an enlarged Force Touch trackpad, dual-core Intel Core processors, a minimum of 8gb ram, 256gb solid state drives and four Thunderbolt three ports.

The MacBooks will also retain their headphone jack, signalling a moratorium on a controversial design choice recently introduced with the iPhone 7.

The Apple Launch event also saw the introduction of a new Apple TV app for the US. The app will unify a range of existing TV apps, with the exception of Netflix.

The new MacBook Pro is expected to retail at $2199 for the regular 13” model, $2699 for the Touch Bar 13” model and $3599 for the 15” model.