History of MacBook Pro in Timeline
The MacBook Pro, launched in January 2006, is Apple's premium laptop line, positioned above the MacBook Air. Available in 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes, these laptops are powered by Apple's M-series chips. Prior to adopting Apple silicon, MacBook Pros utilized Intel chips, marking a departure from the PowerBook series and the introduction of Intel processors in Apple laptops. The MacBook Pro also holds the distinction of being the first Apple laptop to bear the MacBook name.
2000: Windows 2000 and Boot Camp Compatibility
The text mentions that Windows 2000, released in 2000, does not support Boot Camp, a feature allowing Intel Macs to dual-boot Windows.
2001: Titanium PowerBook G4 Release
In 2001, Apple released the Titanium PowerBook G4, known for its distinct design.
2003: Titanium PowerBook G4 Discontinuation
Apple discontinued the Titanium PowerBook G4 in 2003 after a successful run.
January 2006: Launch of the First MacBook Pro
The first MacBook Pro, resembling the PowerBook G4 design, debuted in January 2006 with a 15-inch model. It featured Intel processors, a webcam, and the MagSafe power connector.
2007: GPU Issues in MacBook Pro Models
Starting in 2007, MacBook Pro models with the Nvidia 8600M GT chip, manufactured until early 2008 for the 15-inch and late 2008 for the 17-inch, began experiencing GPU failures.
October 14, 2008: Discontinuation of the 15-inch Original Case Design
Apple discontinued the original case design for the 15-inch MacBook Pro on October 14, 2008.
October 2008: Debut of the Unibody MacBook Pro
The unibody 15-inch MacBook Pro was launched in October 2008, featuring a single-piece aluminum case, a thinner display, a redesigned trackpad, and keyboard.
2008: Apple Acknowledges GPU Fault
After initially ignoring reports, Apple acknowledged the GPU fault in MacBook Pro models from 2007 and 2008 and offered free logic board replacements for up to four years after purchase.
2008: Updates to the 17-inch MacBook Pro
The 17-inch MacBook Pro was updated in 2008 with Intel Core 2 Duo processors, LED-backlit displays, "Penryn" core processors, and multi-touch capabilities for the trackpad.
January 6, 2009: Discontinuation of the 17-inch Original Case Design
Following the 15-inch model, Apple discontinued the original case design for the 17-inch MacBook Pro on January 6, 2009.
January 2009: Introduction of the 17-inch Unibody MacBook Pro
Apple expanded the unibody design to the 17-inch MacBook Pro in January 2009.
June 8, 2009: Redesignation of 13-inch MacBook as MacBook Pro and Battery Updates
At WWDC on June 8, 2009, Apple announced the 13-inch unibody MacBook would be upgraded and renamed MacBook Pro. The entire MacBook Pro line adopted the non-user-removable battery, and updates included improved battery life, graphics, and FireWire 800 ports.
August 2009: Matte Display Option for 15-inch MacBook Pro
Apple extended the "matte" anti-glare display option to the 15-inch MacBook Pro in August 2009.
April 13, 2010: MacBook Pro Update
On April 13, 2010, Apple released updated 13, 15, and 17-inch MacBook Pro models with Intel Core i5 and i7 processors (15 and 17-inch models), a redesigned MagSafe connector, and the option for a high-resolution display on the 15-inch model. The update also brought Nvidia GeForce graphics, improved battery life, and increased RAM capacity.
April 2010: Design and Feature Updates for the Unibody MacBook Pro
In April 2010, the unibody MacBook Pro underwent design and feature updates, including a larger trackpad with inertial scrolling, a redesigned keyboard, and a magnetic screen release latch.
2010: Thunderbolt Introduction
In 2010, Apple introduced Thunderbolt, a new serial bus platform, to enhance data transfer speeds on MacBook Pro. This technology offered significantly faster performance compared to USB and FireWire, aiming to facilitate high-speed data transfer and display connectivity.
February 24, 2011: MacBook Pro Update
On February 24, 2011, Apple introduced Thunderbolt technology, Sandy Bridge Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, and a high-definition FaceTime camera to the MacBook Pro lineup. The 15 and 17-inch models received AMD Radeon HD graphics cards. This update also saw changes to the keyboard layout with the introduction of Mission Control and Launchpad keys.
2011: GPU Problems in 2011 MacBook Pro Models
In 2011, certain 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with dedicated GPUs began to experience manufacturing defects, leading to various issues including overheating, graphical artifacts, and eventual GPU and logic board failure. These problems garnered significant attention and sparked investigations and legal actions due to their widespread impact on users.
2011: Release of Microsoft Office for Mac 2011
Microsoft Office for Mac 2011, a noteworthy 32-bit application compatible with macOS Mojave, was released in 2011.
June 11, 2012: MacBook Pro Update
On June 11, 2012, at WWDC in San Francisco, Apple announced MacBook Pro models with Ivy Bridge processors, USB 3.0 ports, and increased default RAM on premium models. The 17-inch model was discontinued.
June 2012: Retina MacBook Pro Launch
In June 2012, Apple released the Retina MacBook Pro, initially introducing a 15-inch model, featuring a high-resolution Retina display. It came with solid-state storage as standard, upgraded USB 3.0 ports, an additional Thunderbolt port, and HDMI connectivity. The design saw a significant reduction in thickness compared to its predecessor and marked the shift to placing the model name on the underside of the chassis.
2012: Release of the Retina MacBook Pro
The Retina MacBook Pro, thinner than its predecessors, was released in 2012. The 15-inch model debuted in June followed by a 13-inch in October. Key features included a high-resolution Retina display, solid-state storage, HDMI, while it removed Ethernet, FireWire ports, and the optical drive.
February 2013: Spec Upgrades and Price Adjustments
In February 2013, Apple introduced enhancements to the MacBook Pro lineup, improving specifications and reducing prices for certain models.
October 22, 2013: Discontinuation of Non-Retina MacBook Pros
Following a media event on October 22, 2013, Apple discontinued all non-retina unibody MacBook Pros, with the exception of the entry-level 2.5 GHz 13-inch model.
2013: Increased Reporting of MacBook Pro GPU Issues
Starting in late 2013, reports of GPU problems in certain 2011 MacBook Pro models increased, drawing attention from Mac-focused publications. The issue, characterized by overheating, graphical glitches, and system failures, gained traction as more users encountered these problems, prompting further scrutiny and eventually leading to legal actions.
August 2014: Investigation into MacBook Pro GPU Issues
In August 2014, law firm Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP began investigating reported GPU issues in 2011 MacBook Pro models to assess potential legal claims. This investigation followed numerous reports of overheating, graphical glitches, and component failures, prompting inquiries into the extent of the problem and potential legal recourse for affected users.
October 28, 2014: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed
On October 28, 2014, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple in California regarding GPU issues in 2011 MacBook Pro models. The lawsuit aimed to represent residents of California and Florida who had purchased the affected models.
2014: RAM Upgrade in MacBook Pro Lineup
Apple updated the MacBook Pro series in 2014, increasing the standard RAM to 8GB for the 13-inch model and 16GB for the 15-inch model.
February 20, 2015: MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program Launched
On February 20, 2015, Apple initiated the "MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues" to address reported graphical problems, overheating, and component failures in early and late 2011 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models with a dedicated GPU. This program provided free repairs for eligible devices until December 31, 2016, or four years from the original purchase date.
September 2015: Start of Affected MacBook Pro Sales
This date marks the beginning of the period when the affected 15-inch MacBook Pro models, later recalled due to battery concerns, were sold.
October 2016: Launch of the Touch Bar MacBook Pro
October 2016 saw the release of the Touch Bar MacBook Pro, introducing USB-C ports for data and power and a shallower "butterfly" keyboard. It replaced function keys with a touchscreen strip called the Touch Bar.
October 27, 2016: Discontinuation of 13-inch Non-Retina MacBook Pro
On October 27, 2016, Apple discontinued the 13-inch aluminum non-retina MacBook Pro. Notably, it was the last Apple product sold with an optical drive, FireWire port, spinning hard disk drive, and Ethernet port.
December 31, 2016: End of MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program
On December 31, 2016, the "MacBook Pro Repair Extension Program for Video Issues" concluded, marking the end of Apple's free repair service for the affected 2011 MacBook Pro models experiencing GPU problems.
February 2017: End of Affected MacBook Pro Sales
This date marks the end of the period when the affected 15-inch MacBook Pro models, subsequently recalled due to battery issues, were sold.
May 2018: Class Action Lawsuits Target Butterfly Keyboard Issues
In May 2018, two class action lawsuits were filed against Apple, alleging problems with the "Butterfly" keyboard, including unresponsive keys and keyboard failures.
June 2018: Apple Launches Keyboard Service Program
In June 2018, Apple initiated a Service Program to address issues with eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards, offering free repairs.
July 12, 2018: Introduction of Coffee Lake Processors and Touch Bar Updates
On July 12, 2018, Apple refreshed the Touch Bar MacBook Pro models. The 13-inch models received Intel Coffee Lake quad-core processors, while the 15-inch models got six-core processors. The update also included upgraded graphics cards, third-generation butterfly keyboards, Bluetooth 5, the T2 SoC chip, True Tone display technology, and batteries with increased capacity.
July 2018: Discontinuation of 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro
Apple continued selling the 15-inch 2015 MacBook Pro model until July 2018.
May 2019: Apple Modifies Butterfly Keyboard and Extends Repair Program
In May 2019, Apple implemented its fourth modification to the Butterfly keyboard, accompanied by a commitment to repair or replace any MacBook keyboard featuring these switches free of charge for four years from the purchase date.
May 21, 2019: Processor and Keyboard Updates
On May 21, 2019, Apple announced further updates to the Touch Bar MacBook Pro models, featuring newer processors, including an eight-core Core i9 as standard for the higher-end 15-inch variant. The update also introduced a redesigned keyboard constructed with "new materials" across the entire lineup.
June 2019: Recall of 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro Batteries
In June 2019, Apple issued a global recall for specific 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro models due to overheating batteries. This affected approximately 432,000 units, primarily sold between September 2015 and February 2017.
July 9, 2019: 13-inch MacBook Pro Gets Touch Bar and Eighth-Generation Processors
On July 9, 2019, Apple updated the 13-inch MacBook Pro, equipping it with two Thunderbolt ports, newer quad-core eighth-generation processors, Intel Iris Plus graphics, and True Tone display technology. The traditional function keys were replaced with the Touch Bar.
September 2019: Air India Bans MacBook Pro on Flights
India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation raised concerns about MacBook Pro computers potentially overheating, prompting Air India to ban the model on its flights in September 2019.
November 2019: Introduction of the Magic Keyboard and 16-inch Model
In November 2019, Apple updated the Touch Bar MacBook Pro with the Magic Keyboard, featuring a scissor-switch mechanism. A new 16-inch model with slimmer bezels was also introduced, addressing user complaints about the Touch Bar.
2019: Final MacBook Pro to Support macOS Mojave
The 2019 MacBook Pro marked the last model compatible with macOS Mojave 10.14. This macOS version held significance as the final one capable of running 32-bit applications.
2019: Release of Previous 13-inch MacBook Pro Models
This refers to the preceding generation of 13-inch MacBook Pro models released in 2019, serving as a point of comparison for the updates introduced in the May 4, 2020, refresh.
May 4, 2020: 13-inch MacBook Pro Updated with Magic Keyboard
Apple announced an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro model on May 4, 2020, featuring the Magic Keyboard. The four Thunderbolt port version came equipped with Ice Lake processors, upgraded graphics, a maximum of 32GB of memory and 4TB of storage, and support for 6K output to drive the Pro Display XDR.
May 2020: Release of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Magic Keyboard
Apple released a 13-inch MacBook Pro model featuring the Magic Keyboard in May 2020.
November 10, 2020: Apple Introduces First M1 MacBook Pro
On November 10, 2020, Apple introduced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro equipped with the groundbreaking Apple M1 processor, marking the debut of Apple silicon in their Mac lineup.
November 2020: First MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon
In a significant shift, Apple launched the first MacBook Pro with its own Apple M1 chip in November 2020.
October 2021: Release of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips
October 2021 marked the launch of 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, exclusively powered by Apple's M1 Pro or M1 Max chips. These models brought back features like MagSafe, function keys, and others previously removed.
October 18, 2021: Apple Unveils 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros with M1 Pro and M1 Max Chips
On October 18, 2021, Apple replaced the higher-end 13-inch and 16-inch Intel-based MacBook Pros with redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch models. These new models featured Apple's latest M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, representing their second generation of custom ARM-based silicon and the first tailored for professional users.
2021: Previous MacBook Pro Models
The text mentions "2021 models" in the context of HDMI support, indicating a previous release of the MacBook Pro in 2021.
June 2022: 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 Chip Release
The 13-inch MacBook Pro received an update with the M2 chip in June 2022.
2022: Update to Apple M2 Chip
Apple updated the Touch Bar MacBook Pro with the M2 chip in 2022.
2022: Retina MacBook Pro Loses Official Support
The final Retina MacBook Pro models ceased to be supported by Apple with the 2022 release of macOS Ventura.
January 2023: 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro Update
In January 2023, Apple updated the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with new M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, increased RAM capacity, HDMI 2.1 support, faster Wi-Fi 6E, and improved battery life.
October 2023: 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro Updated with M3 Chips
In October 2023, Apple updated the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, enhanced performance, new hardware capabilities, more memory options, and the introduction of Space Black as a color option.
October 2023: Discontinuation of 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar
The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar was discontinued in October 2023, coinciding with the introduction of the M3 chip family.
November 2023: Release of MacBook Pros with M3 Pro and M3 Max Chips
Apple refreshed the 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro lineup in November 2023, introducing models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips. Additionally, a base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with the Apple M3 chip was launched to replace the discontinued 13-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pro.
