The new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models announced on Monday are now available in a striking new Space Black finish when configured with M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. Apple has introduced an innovative “anodization seal” for this finish, designed to significantly reduce fingerprints.
Apple has followed up on the darker Midnight finish of the MacBook Air, a favorite among many users, by offering the new Space Black finish. While it is considered more resistant to fingerprints, hands-on videos released after Apple’s event show that further testing is required.
In one of these videos, The Verge‘s Dan Seifert commented, “I had a brief moment to interact with the new Space Black model, and while there were fewer fingerprints, we’ll have to see how it holds up in real-world usage.”
Six Colors editor-in-chief Jason Snell stated that the Space Black finish is “generally more resistant to fingerprints,” but he cautioned that some fingerprints should still be anticipated. He further noted that Space Black is more akin to a “dark gray” rather than true black:
After getting my greasy hands on a Space Black laptop, I can confirm that Apple keeps its promise of improved resistance to fingerprints and smudges.
However, I wouldn’t go overboard with this feature as fingerprints are still visible, albeit less prominent. It is undoubtedly an improvement over the Midnight M2 MacBook Air, but not a complete solution.
Moreover, I must warn you not to get too excited about Apple finally producing a black MacBook Pro. Space Black is not genuinely black like space itself; instead, it’s a sleek dark gray. While it is significantly darker than the Space Gray found in the existing MacBook Pros (including the new base model), it retains a shimmering metallic gray look. So, die-hard Darth Vader fans, take note.
Brian Tong’s hands-on video provides another perspective:
MobileSyrup‘s Patrick O’Rourke shared, “With my greasy fingers, I spent several minutes in the hands-on area attempting to smudge the ‘Space Black’ color, but I couldn’t.”
Gizmodo‘s Kyle Barr observed, “I had the opportunity to touch the latest M3-powered MacBook Pros, and although I didn’t notice many residual smudges on the surface, Apple staff promptly appeared with microfiber cloths to eliminate any stray stains. It’s clear that testing under varied conditions is required.”
XDA‘s Brady Snyder discussed Space Black and fingerprints:
The M3 MacBook Pro mostly showcases internal changes, but there is a new color option, Space Black. Although it looks better in person than during Apple’s reveal, it is still not a true black. I would liken it to the black color of the iPhone 5 or the iPad mini 2. It does not match the black hue of the polycarbonate MacBooks from the mid-2000s. As seen in the accompanying photos, the MacBook’s appearance can vary based on lighting conditions, similar to Apple’s Midnight option. Nevertheless, it seems to be less prone to fingerprints compared to that color choice.
The new MacBook Pro models are now available for order, and most configurations are scheduled to start arriving with customers and appear in stores on Tuesday, November 7. Configurations with the M3 Max chip will launch later in November.
