MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro line of notebook computers is Apple's higher-performance notebook range. The first Macbook Pro was announced on January 10th, 2006 at Macworld Expo in San Francisco and released in February 2006 at a price of $1,999. It was the first Mac notebook based on an Intel processor (the second Apple model after the iMac) and delivered up to four times the performance of Apple's predecessor, the PowerBook G4 notebook.

In comparison to the more affordable MacBook Air line of notebooks, Macbook Pros offer higher performance and a range of additional features.

According to Apple's financial records in the financial year ending September 2020, the MacBook Pro accounted for $9 billion in sales, out of $28.6 billion for all Mac devices.

The fifth generation of Macbook Pros was launched in November 2020, marking the transition from Intel processors to Apple's custom silicon M1 processors. Thirteen-inch, 14-inch, and 16-inch models are available. The transition to M1 chips helped Apple sell 22.6 million Macs in 2020, a rise of 16.6% compared to 2019. In the first quarter of 2021, Apple sold 5.7 million laptops (Macbook Pros and Macbook Airs) an increase of 94% compared to the first quarter of 2020.

MacBooks (Pros and Airs) account for 9% of Apple's total revenue.

Since the second generation launched in 2008, MacBook Pros have had an aluminum unibody design with an Apple logo on the display case. The laptops became thinner with each iteration, removing legacy ports in favor of the USB Type-C thunderbolt ports until the 2021 models brought back the HDMI port and SD card slot in a slightly thicker design. Apple has also increased the foot size under the laptops to increase airflow underneath during regular use.

Before the unibody design, MacBook Pros were made from three main parts: a bottom plate or case, an internal frame, and a top plate (palm rest). With the unibody design, MacBook Pros are now made from a single piece of rigid, strong, and light aluminum that is milled, drilled using Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machining, laser pierced, and anodized. The unibody construction of MacBook Pros reduced the number of parts by 65%.

Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro models came with a display "notch," referred to as a camera housing by Apple. The notch is at the top center of the screen, its inclusion slims down the display bezel (space around the display) and moves up the menu bar around the camera housing. Users have criticized the notch for interfering with app menu items. Apple released a support document detailing how to forcibly scale apps to only use the display below the notch.

The first-generation MacBook Pros launched in 2006 on the cusp of Apple's transition to Intel-based processors and were among the first Intel Macs. Early MacBook Pros showed a considerable upgrade compared to the PowerBook G4 it replaced with up to 4x the speed.

MacBook Pros continued to run on Intel processors until the fifth-generation 13-inch model launched in November 2020. This was the first laptop in which Apple controlled the entire hardware and software stack running their custom silicon M1 chips. Apple states the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip is up to 2.8x faster with up to 5x faster graphics compared to the early 2020 Intel-powered predecessor.

Shortly after the 13-inch model in November 2020, Apple launched new 14-inch and 16-inch models that run the updated M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, these models operate up to 3.7x faster than intel variants.

Apple M1, M1 Pro, and M1 Max chips

The M1 is the first Apple-designed System on a Chip (SoC) developed for use in Macs and contains 16 billion transistors. Unlike the Intel chips built on the x86 architecture, the M1 uses an Arm-based architecture similar to the A-series chips that Apple designed for iPhones and iPads. The M1 is most closely related to Apple's A14 chip built on a 5-nanometer process by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

The M1 integrates multiple components:

• CPU
• GPU
• RAM
• Neural engine
• Secure enclave
• SSD controller
• Image signal processor
• Encode/decode engines
• Thunderbolt controller

Prior to the M1 chips, Macs had multiple chips for CPU, I/O, and security. Integrating components on a single chip has allowed for faster and more efficient performance compared to the previously used Intel chips. A major factor in the performance improvement is the unified memory architecture allowing technologies on the chip to access the same data without swapping between multiple memory pools. The CPU, GPU, and other processors no longer need to copy data between one another.

The M1 chip for MacBook Pros includes an 8-core CPU (four high performance and four high-efficiency), an 8-core GPU, and a built-in 16-core neural engine capable of 11 trillion operations per second, designed to accelerate machine learning tasks. Unlike Intel Macs that had a built-in T2 chip for security features, the M1 has security functionality built into the chip, including a secure enclave that manages Touch ID and a storage controller with AES encryption hardware.

Apple introduced the faster M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in October 2021 in their 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros.

The M1 Pro contains 33.7 billion transistors with a new 10-core CPU (eight high performance and two high-efficiency) that is up to 70% faster than the M1. The M1 Pro has an up to 16-core GPU that is 2x faster than the M1. The chip can be configured with up 32GB of unified memory and up to 200GB/s of memory bandwidth.

The M1 Max with 57 billion transistors is the largest chip Apple has ever built. It features the same 10-core CPU with a larger 32-core GPU for up to 4x faster graphics performance compared to the M1.

MacBook Pros use versions of Apple's macOS, with the latest models using macOS Monterey. The Monterey update offers new social features, universal control, new cross-app functionality, and a Safari redesign with a tab system and changes to the address bar that can be configured by each user. Other changes include the Memoji option in the Messages app, "Shared With You" items, a new photo viewer, and the SharePlay function on Facetime for listening to music or watching movies with others during a call.

2021 MacBook pros offer multiple port types including:

• HDMI 2.0 port
• MagSafe 3 charging port
• SD card slot (SDXC)
• Headphone jack
• Three Thunderbolt ports

2021 MacBook Pro ports

Apple has returned to various port types after previously removing them, a move that drew criticism and required customers to purchase adapters.

The MagSafe charger was introduced with the original MacBook Pro in 2006 before being phased out in 2015 with Apple using a Thunderbolt 4 style charger. It returns in the fifth-generation MacBook Pros with the ability to charge to about 50% charge in 30 minutes. The MagSafe charger uses a magnet to attach to the MacBook when charging. To protect both the port and the cable the MagSafe charger pops out of the port if too much pressure is applied to the cable.

In late 2019, Apple debuted a 16-inch MacBook Pro that returned the keyboard to a scissor-switch mechanism. Known as Magic Keyboards, they resemble those on Apple's Magic Keyboard for desktop devices. The new Magic Keyboard features 1mm of key travel and improves key stability. According to Apple, the keys are designed with a specially crafted rubber dome that stores more potential energy, producing higher responsivity during key presses. The Magic Keyboard has replaced the "butterfly mechanism" on all MacBook Pros.

In 2016, Apple began producing MacBook Pros with thinner butterfly keyboards. These led to multiple issues, including stuck or unresponsive keys, with Apple beginning a warranty program to service devices with keyboard problems. While thinner, the butterfly keyboard design was susceptible to dust, debris, and other particulates building up and preventing the mechanism from working correctly. Apple tried multiple approaches to improve the design without success including the addition of membranes to block particulates.

Apple brought its high-resolution display from the iPhone to its notebook computers in June 2012, with the release of the MacBook Pro with retina display. At the time of release, it was the highest resolution notebook display available with over 5 million pixels. The term "retina" was coined by Apple for displays with pixel densities high enough that at an average viewing distance the user cannot perceive individual pixels.

Apple's fifth-generation 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros offer liquid retina displays that use mini-LED backlighting to increase the dynamic range and improve blacks.

Apple debuted its new trackpad in 2008, which allowed users to click anywhere on the surface. Previous trackpads were limited to left-click and right-click buttons underneath the touch-cursor portion. Third-generation MacBook Pros had an updated trackpad called the force touch trackpad. It increased the surface area and incorporated pressure-sensitive haptics that replaced the mechanical clicking hinge.

Using simple gestures, the MacBook Pro trackpad offers a range of actions:

• scrolling
• zooming
• rotating
• swiping between apps
• opening launchpad

The force touch trackpad also provides feedback, such as subtle vibrations when rotating objects are aligned.

The fourth-generation Macbook Pro introduced the touch bar, a retina display/input device positioned above the keyboard. It allows users to interact with content on the main screen, offers quick access to system-level and app-specific functionality, and provides a TouchID sensor supporting fingerprint authentication for logging into the computer.

The touch bar replaced the function key row and proved controversial amongst users. While Apple still sells MacBooks with touch bars, newer models have gone back to full-sized function keys.

Apple relies on over 200 suppliers with the top 200 suppliers responsible for 98% of their direct spend on materials, manufacturing, and assembly. For their MacBook Pro machines, Apple relies on the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to produce their chips. Assembly partners include Foxconn, Quanta Computer, and Pegatron. Research indicates in 2017 Quanta supplied 79.5% of Apple's Macbook orders and Foxconn the remaining 20.5%.

First-generation MacBook Pro from 2006

The first-generation MacBook Pro was launched in January 2006 with a 15-inch model, followed by a 17-inch device in April 2006. It was the first Mac notebook based on an Intel processor and delivered four times the performance of its predecessor, the PowerBook G4. The original Macbook Pros were the first Macbooks with webcams, the MagSafe connector, and a backlit keyboard. It also included a brighter display (67%), a scrolling trackpad, and Apple's sudden motion sensor designed to protect the hard drive if dropped.

First-generation MacBook Pros came with Mac OS X 10.4.4 through 10.6.8, and an Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GHz CPU.

Criticisms of the first-generation MacBook Pros included the underclocking of the graphics card and the devices running too hot in temperature.

Apple announced the second-generation MacBook Pro in October 2008. With a new unibody aluminum design, moving away from the PowerBook chassis. With the new unibody style, the optical drive and ports were rearranged Apple also dropped the FireWire 400 port (leaving the FireWire 800) and updated the DVI port to a Mini DisplayPort. Adding the Mini DisplayPort over the more popular HDMI port was criticized.

The second-generation MacBook Pros allowed users to swap out the battery, useful for travel and switching to extend battery life. The device only lasted roughly five hours on a single charge. Apple also added a new glass surface trackpad that allowed users to click anywhere instead of having designated buttons.

2012 MacBook Pro with Retina Display

Apple announced a third-generation MacBook Pro at WWDC 2012. The new notebook came with a high-resolution retina display screen. Marketed as the "MacBook Pro with Reina Display," at the time of release it was the highest resolution notebook display on the market. It also added Core i7 processors, USB 3.0, a second Thunderbolt port, and an HDMI port (first MacBook Pro to have an HDMI port), Other new features included refined speakers, a thinner MagSafe 2 port, and a hard drive switch to solid-state.

The FireWire 800, optical drive, and ethernet ports were removed with users requiring thunderbolt adapters to utilize devices compatible with these ports. The redesign also removed user upgradeability options by soldering in the memory and gluing in the batter.

The 2012 third-generation MacBook Pros were the lightest ever produced. They also shifted the design moving the "MacBook Pro" text from the lower bezel to the bottom chassis.

The 2012 third-generation MacBook Pro was the best selling MacBook Pro model Apple has produced.

Released in October 2016, the fourth-generation MacBook Pro was considerably thinner than previous generations, adding the new touch bar and removing many ports meaning users had to purchase adapters to use non-compatible devices.

The multitouch OLED touch bar replaced the row of traditional function keys and dynamically adapted its use depending on the active application and provided an integrated Touch ID sensor. Other new features included a new butterfly mechanism keyboard, an improved display, a 50% increase in trackpad surface area, a faster PCIe-based solid-state drive, improved speakers providing a wider dynamic range, and availability in a new color (space gray).

The fourth-generation MacBook Pros proved controversial with criticisms of the lack of USB-A ports and the new butterfly mechanism keyboard. In April of 2018, a report showed the butterfly keyboard was failing at up to twice the rate of the previous generations. Apple's first revision to the fourth-generation MacBook Pro in November 2019, brought back the scissor mechanism keyboard in the newly dubbed "Magic Keyboard."

The fifth-generation MacBook Pro launched in November 2020 with the 13-inch model. The new MacBook Pros moved from Intel Processors to custom Apple Silicon, with the M1 chip. In October 2021 Apple debuted the faster M1 Pro and M1 Max chips in their 14-inch and 16-inch Macbook Pro models. The new Apple silicon chips offered considerable performance improvements and proved popular amongst users boosting MacBook Pro sales.

The fifth-generation of MacBook Pros also removed the touch bar and introduced more ports including an HDMI port and an SD card slot.

Apple is expected to release a redesigned 13-inch MacBook Pro with a new M2 process in 2022.