Macbook Pro: What It Is, The History And Who It’s For

I love creating free content full of tips for my readers, you. I don't accept paid sponsorships, my opinion is my own, but if you find my recommendations helpful and you end up buying something you like through one of my links, I could earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The Macbook Pro is a high-end laptop from Apple that’s perfect for creative professionals like designers, photographers, filmmakers, and musicians. It’s also great for more general use like checking emails, browsing the web, and watching Netflix.

The first Macbook Pro was released in 2008 and has been in continuous production ever since. It’s Apple’s most powerful laptop and is geared towards creative professionals. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny.

What is a Macbook Pro

The MacBook Pro: An Overview

History

The MacBook Pro has been around since 2006, when it was introduced as an upgrade to the PowerBook G4 laptop. It’s been a go-to choice for professionals and power users ever since, with 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch models available from 2006 to 2020.

Features

The MacBook Pro is packed with features that make it a great choice for anyone who needs a bit of extra power:

  • High-end processors and graphics cards for smooth performance
  • Retina display for sharp visuals
  • Long battery life
  • Thunderbolt ports for connecting to external devices
  • Touch Bar for quick access to shortcuts
  • Touch ID for secure authentication
  • Stereo speakers for immersive audio

The Latest Generation

The sixth generation of the MacBook Pro is the latest and greatest, with rumors of a redesigned model on the horizon. It’s got all the features of the previous generations, plus a few extra bells and whistles to make it even more powerful. So if you’re looking for a laptop that can handle just about anything, the MacBook Pro is a great choice.

Loading...

A Look Back at the Evolution of the MacBook Pro

The First Generation

The first MacBook Pro was released in 2006, and it was a revolutionary device. It featured a 15-inch display, a Core Duo processor, and a built-in iSight camera. It also had a MagSafe power adapter, which allowed users to easily disconnect their laptop from the power source without damaging the device.

The Second Generation

The second generation of the MacBook Pro was released in 2008 and featured a number of improvements. It had a larger 17-inch display, a faster Core 2 Duo processor, and a built-in SD card reader. It also had a new aluminum unibody design, which made it lighter and more durable.

The Third Generation

The third generation of the MacBook Pro was released in 2012 and featured a number of improvements. It had a Retina display, a faster Intel Core i7 processor, and a thinner design. It also had a new MagSafe 2 power adapter, which allowed users to easily disconnect their laptop from the power source without damaging the device.

The Fourth Generation

The fourth generation of the MacBook Pro was released in 2016 and featured a number of improvements. It had a thinner design, a faster Intel Core i7 processor, and a new Touch Bar. It also had a new Force Touch trackpad, which allowed users to easily interact with their laptop without using a mouse.

The Fifth Generation

The fifth generation of the MacBook Pro was released in 2020 and featured a number of improvements. It had a larger 16-inch display, a faster Intel Core i9 processor, and a new Magic Keyboard. It also had a new scissor switch mechanism, which allowed users to easily type without worrying about key travel.

Getting started with your own stop motion storyboards

Subscribe to our newsletter and get your free download with three storyboards. Get started with bringing your stories alive!

We'll only use your email address for our newsletter and respect your privacy

The MacBook Pro has come a long way since its first release in 2006. It has evolved to become a powerful and reliable laptop that is perfect for both work and play. With its sleek design, powerful processor, and innovative features, it’s no wonder why the MacBook Pro remains one of the most popular laptops on the market.

The PowerBook G4

  • The PowerBook G4 was a revolutionary Macintosh laptop that set the standard for the MacBook Pro models to come
  • It featured a single-core PowerPC processor, a FireWire port, and a long-lasting battery
  • Despite its groundbreaking features, the G4 was limited in terms of speed and usability

The MacBook Pro

  • Apple released the MacBook Pro directly following the PowerBook G4, and it was a major step forward in terms of speed and usability
  • The Pro featured a dual-core Intel processor, an integrated iSight webcam, a MagSafe power connector, and improved wireless internet range
  • Despite its thinness, the Pro had some drawbacks, such as a slower optical drive, battery life on par with the G4, and no FireWire port

What Makes the MacBook Pro So Special?

Power and Design

  • The Pro’s power and design make it a great device for both personal and professional use.
  • It’s powerful enough to run demanding apps like Photoshop with ease.
  • The display is beautiful and vibrant.
  • The trackpad is easy to use and the laptop itself is thin and portable.

The Benefits of Mac

  • The user interface of macOS is streamlined and effective.
  • It’s well-integrated with the entire suite of Apple products.

Value for Money

  • The value of the MacBook Pro is unbeatable when compared to other laptops with the same power, flexibility, and utility.
  • You’d have to switch to a desktop build to get something better at this price range.

It Just Works

  • Everything on the MacBook Pro looks, sounds, and functions really well.
  • It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a powerful, reliable laptop.

A Look at the Pros and Cons of the MacBook Pro

The Early Years: 2006-2012

  • 2006: Underclocked graphics card and too hot to handle – critics weren’t too pleased with the first generation of the MacBook Pro.
  • 2008: Unibody model – temperature issues still persisted, but the introduction of the unibody design was a step in the right direction.
  • 2012: Stripped of features – the third generation of the Pro saw the removal of the optical drive and Ethernet port, which didn’t sit well with some users.

The USB-C Era: 2012-2020

  • 2012: USB-C ports – the fourth generation of the Pro saw the full adoption of USB-C ports, but this caused some frustration as users had to use dongles to plug in USB-A devices.
  • 2020: Touch Bar and price hike – the fifth generation of the Pro saw a pretty significant price hike, and the Touch Bar didn’t quite hit the mark with some users.

The Future: 2021 and Beyond

  • 2021: Redesign – the sixth generation of the Pro is rumored to include a redesign, so it’ll be interesting to see what Apple has in store.

The MacBook Pro: A Long-Standing Success

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The MacBook Pro has been around for over 15 years and it’s still going strong. According to Apple’s financial records, in its financial year ending September 2020, the Pro made up a whopping $9 billion of the total $28.6 billion in Mac device sales. That’s almost a third of all sales!

A Combination of Factors

It’s clear that the Pro has been able to stay afloat in the market due to a combination of factors:

  • Cutting-edge designs
  • User-friendly features
  • Unrivaled performance
  • Technological advancements
  • The trusted Apple insignia

A Fan Favorite

No matter how much has changed over the years, the MacBook Pro remains a fan favorite. It’s no surprise that people still consider it one of the best laptops out there!

Intel-based MacBook Pro

Overview

  • The MacBook Pro is a laptop computer with an Intel Core processor, built-in iSight webcam, and MagSafe power connector.
  • It comes with an ExpressCard/34 slot, two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400 port, and 802.11a/b/g.
  • It has a 15-inch or 17-inch LED-backlit display and a Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT video card.
  • The 2008 revision added multi-touch capabilities to the trackpad and upgraded the processors to “Penryn” cores.

Unibody Design

  • The 2008 unibody MacBook Pro has a “precision aluminum unibody enclosure” and tapered sides similar to the MacBook Air.
  • It has two video cards that the user can switch between: the Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT with either 256 or 512 MB of dedicated memory and a GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of shared system memory.
  • The screen is high-gloss, covered by an edge-to-edge reflective glass finish, with an anti-glare matte option available.
  • The entire trackpad is usable and acts as a clickable button, and is larger than the first generation.
  • The keys are backlit and are identical to Apple’s sunken keyboard with separated black keys.

Battery Life

  • Apple claims five hours of use on a single charge, with one reviewer reporting results closer to four hours on a continuous video battery stress test.
  • The battery holds 80% of its charge after 300 recharges.

Apple Silicon-Powered MacBook Pro Models

Fourth Generation (Touch Bar with Apple Silicon)

  • November 10, 2020 saw the introduction of the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with two Thunderbolt ports, powered by the brand spankin’ new Apple M1 processor. It’s got Wi-Fi 6, USB4, 6K output to run the Pro Display XDR, and increased memory in the base configuration to 8 GB. But it only supports one external display, so don’t go getting too excited.
  • October 18, 2021 saw the introduction of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, now equipped with Apple silicon chips, M1 Pro and M1 Max. These babies have hard function keys, an HDMI port, an SD card reader, MagSafe charging, Liquid Retina XDR display with thinner bezels and an iPhone-like notch, ProMotion variable refresh rate, a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6, 3 Thunderbolt ports, a 6-speaker sound system supporting Dolby Atmos, and support of multiple external displays.
  • The new models have a thicker and more-squared design than their Intel-based predecessors, with full-sized function keys, set in a “double anodized” black well. The MacBook Pro branding is engraved on the underside of the chassis instead of the bottom of the display bezel. It’s been compared to the Titanium PowerBook G4 from 2001 to 2003.

Differences

Macbook Pro Vs Air

Macbook Pro vs Air: It’s a battle of the chips! The Pro has the M2 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 100GB/s memory bandwidth. The Air has the M1 chip with 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. The Pro also has the M2 Pro chip with up to 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine, and 200GB/s memory bandwidth. The Air has the M1 Pro chip with up to 10-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and 200GB/s memory bandwidth. The Pro also has faster Intel processors, with up to 3.8GHz Turbo Boost. The Air has up to 3.2GHz Turbo Boost. Bottom line: the Pro has more powerful chips and faster Intel processors, making it the clear winner.

Macbook Pro Vs Ipad Pro

The M1 iPad Pro and M1 MacBook Pro are both incredibly powerful machines, but they’re designed for different tasks. The iPad Pro is great for creative tasks like drawing, editing photos, and watching movies, while the MacBook Pro is better suited for more intensive tasks like coding, gaming, and video editing. The iPad Pro has a larger display and longer battery life, while the MacBook Pro has a more powerful processor and better portability. Ultimately, it comes down to what you need the device for. If you’re looking for a device to do creative work on the go, the iPad Pro is the way to go. If you need a powerful machine for intensive tasks, the MacBook Pro is the better choice.

Conclusion

The MacBook Pro has been a revolutionary device since its introduction in 2006. It’s been a go-to for professionals and power users alike, and its design and features have only gotten better over the years. So if you’re looking for a laptop that packs a punch, the MacBook Pro is definitely the way to go. Just remember: don’t be intimidated by the tech – it’s EASY PEASY to use! And don’t forget to have fun with it – after all, it’s not called the “MacBOOK PRO” for nothing!

Hi, I'm Kim, a mom and a stop-motion enthusiast with a background in media creation and web development. I've got a huge passion for drawing and animation, and now I'm diving headfirst into the stop-motion world. With my blog, I'm sharing my learnings with you guys.