The MacBook Pro is Apple’s high-end laptop. The latest MacBook Pro design features Apple’s best and brightest Mac displays, powerful Apple silicon chips, and a plethora of ports to plug in peripherals. It runs macOS, Apple’s desktop computer operating system.
The latest model is the 2024 M4 model. The 2025 M5-based models are likely going to be announced this November.
It originally launched in 2006 when it replaced the PowerBook G4. It also marked the transition from PowerPC to Intel processors. Now, it runs on Apple silicon chips, giving it industry-leading performance and battery life.
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The MacBook Pro runs macOS, Apple’s desktop operating system. It integrates well with other Apple devices and services, like syncing data over iCloud; running all the same apps like Safari, Mail, Messages, Calendar and Reminders; and Continuity features that talk to your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
What sets the Pro above the MacBook Air is its advanced display, higher specs, extra ports and connectivity.
The MacBook Pro is the choice for those who want Apple’s greatest amount of power features in a portable form factor.
The Mac has had function keys since the mid-90s to match PCs. With the PowerBook G4, Apple started using the function keys for special controls like brightness and volume, and later, the backlit keyboard. In early 2008, they added buttons for controlling media playback, evoking Exposé and Dashboard (later changed in 2011 to Launchpad).
When the function keys returned after the Touch Bar, the functions were tweaked once again. Not only are the keys full-size, but they were changed to reflect modern macOS features. Launchpad was changed to Spotlight, and the keyboard backlight controls were replaced with Siri and Do Not Disturb; the keyboard backlight is accessible through Control Center.
The MacBook Pro Touch Bar was introduced on the 2016 models. It was a thin display above the alphanumeric keys on the keyboard, replacing the function keys. It could play and pause media, adjust brightness and volume, and more. In third-party apps, it could take on special controls: switching tabs in Safari, picking emoji, scrub through a video and more.
The Touch Bar was met with a somewhat mild reaction. It removed the muscle memory of hitting keys for specific functions. Apple eventually added a physical Escape key back to the left of the Touch Bar to alleviate some of the criticism.
The redesigned M1 Pro and Max models in 2021 removed the Touch Bar in place of larger function keys. It was retained on the entry-level M1 and M2 laptops, which continued the same design as the models from 2016, until the M3 model was updated to match the higher-end configurations.
The M5 MacBook Pro is expected to be announced this fall, in either October or November. This has been the pattern for the last few years (with the exception of the M2 models, which were delayed).
The M4 MacBook Pro from 2024 is the latest model. It features numerous significant upgrades over the previous version.
On the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, the ports on the side are Thunderbolt 5 instead of Thunderbolt 4. This latest-generation port is twice as fast at data transfer and supports higher-resolution (and higher-frame rate) displays.
It also upgrades the front-facing camera to a 12MP Center Stage camera. That means that on a video call, it can dynamically zoom in and out to make sure everyone is perfectly framed.
It can also be ordered with a nano texture display. This adds a matte finish to the screen to prevent screen glare and reflections, without compromising the color and contrast.
The M3 MacBook Pro from 2023 was a smaller update. The M3, M3 Pro and M3 Max chips inside moved to a three-nanometer process. The Pro and Max models were the first to come in the new Space Black aluminum finish.
It also brought the entry-level M3 model in line with the higher-end models, so all three share the same display and design.
Delayed from fall 2022 to January 2023, the updated models with M2 Pro and M2 Max brought more power and once again raised the maximum amount of built-in memory to 96 GB.
Introduced alongside the M2 MacBook Air at WWDC22, this model was a simple spec bump of the prior M1 model. It was the last model with a Touch Bar. It raised the maximum amount of unified memory from 16 GB to 24 GB.
The M1 Pro and M1 Max MacBook Pro from October 2021 introduced a new design that brought back many favorite features from the past. It reintroduced function keys, removed the Touch Bar, introduced MagSafe 3 and brought back the dedicated HDMI port and SD card slot.
It also came with a larger, edge-to-edge display with a notch for the camera. It’s also significantly brighter, and brought ProMotion technology for higher refresh rates.
Before the introduction of the Mac Studio, these MacBook Pros were briefly the most powerful Mac sold by Apple. This is thanks to the speed of Apple silicon, and the 64 GB of unified memory available to order.
The M1 MacBook Pro from 2020 was one of the first three Macs to transition to Apple silicon, alongside the M1 MacBook Air and M1 Mac mini.
This model predated the M1 Pro chip, so its performance was very similar to the lower-end M1 MacBook Air. However, both brought a dramatic speed boost compared to the outgoing Intel models with unbelievable battery life. It also had a larger and brighter screen, a Touch Bar and an internal fan for prolonged performance.
The MacBook Pro is currently available in two display sizes, 14.2 inches and 16.2 inches. These screen sizes replaced the long-standard 13.3-inch and 15.4-inch displays that had been used since 2009.
From 2004 to 2012, Apple produced a model with a 17-inch display. Originally sold as a PowerBook, this biggest model had an expansive display bigger than any other Apple laptop since. It was affectionately called the “lunch tray.”
The model with a 14.2-inch display is the entry-level model. It’s a little cheaper. The smaller laptop used to have worse specs than the larger one in the Intel era, but that is no longer true — both can be configured with the same level of power and will perform pretty similarly.
The 14-inch model is smaller and lighter, which is handy for travel.
It has a display resolution of 3024 × 1964. Being a Retina display, it has the effective screen space of 1512 × 982. The display goes to the edge of the lid with a very slim bezel and has a notch on the top for the camera.
It has a ProMotion display, which can run at refresh rates up to 120 Hz. It can also match the frame rate of content you’re watching at 48, 50 and 60 Hz, or lower the frame rate to save battery power.
The model with a 16.2-inch display costs an extra $500. The larger laptop used to be the only one with a dedicated GPU, but now both sizes have similar specs and performance.
The 16-inch model is larger and heavier, but the extra screen real estate can be handy for getting serious work done on the go.
It has a display resolution of 3456 × 2234. Being a Retina display, it has the effective screen space of 1728 × 1117. The display goes to the edge of the lid with a very slim bezel and has a notch on the top for the camera.
It also has a ProMotion display, which can run at refresh rates up to 120 Hz. It can also match the frame rate of content you’re watching at 48, 50 and 60 Hz, or lower the frame rate to save battery power.
This is a compact, 3-port GaN fast PPS wall charger for MacBook Pro/Air, Pixelbook, Dell XPS, iPad Pro, iPhone 15 Pro/14, Galaxy S23/Note20, Pixel 8, Steam Deck and more.
The MacBook Pro can be charged in two different ways. Models from 2016 onwards can be plugged in via any USB-C port to a charger. The 14- and 16-inch models from 2021 onwards can also be charged with MagSafe 3 to a charger. Every MacBook comes with a color-matched MagSafe cable in the box, and replacements can be ordered online from Amazon.
Ugreen produces a line of USB-C wall chargers. These come in different power levels to keep it charged up whether you have the entry-level model or a powerful Mac with a Max chip.
This display matches the 27-inch size and 5K resolution of the Apple Studio Display for much less. It also features bright P3 color that’s been tested for accuracy.
It also features a built-in Thunderbolt 4 dock, for adding a plethora of ports to your setup within easy reach, and better build quality than other displays we’ve tested.
Our top pick for a third-party monitor is the ViewSonic VP2788. It matches the size and resolution of the Apple Studio Display, but at under $1,000 instead of $1,600. Its body is plastic, but has good build quality. It surpasses Apple’s offering with a 75 Hz refresh rate and a greater selection of ports with its built-in Thunderbolt 4 dock.
Another monitor we’ve tested includes the Asus ProArt PA27JCV, which is cheaper still, but has a creaky and wobbly plastic case and fewer ports. The BenQ DesignVue PD2730S is another option in this price range, but is much chunkier and heavier with fewer benefits.
And of course, there’s also the Apple Studio Display itself. It has a premium aluminum and glass enclosure. It also plays nicely with a Mac, automatically turning on and off, and adjusting brightness from the keyboard. However, it comes at a premium cost — and lacks USB-A ports on the back for plugging in older peripherals.
While the entry-level has the same chip as the MacBook Air, the Pro has a number of other advantages. The Pro features a bigger, brighter display. It has many more ports; it adds an extra Thunderbolt port, an HDMI port and SDXC card slot.
It can be upgraded with much higher specs than the MacBook Air as well. The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips aren’t available on the MacBook Air. These chips have more CPU and GPU cores for faster performance in intense tasks like video editing, gaming, compiling code, 3D modeling and more.
It can also be configured with more memory and storage space than the MacBook Air and supports more external displays.
However, the MacBook Air is noticeably lighter. The smaller MacBook Air is 2.7 lbs. compared to 3.5 lbs. The larger MacBook Air is 3.3 lbs. compared to 4.7 lbs.
The iPad Pro and MacBook Pro run similar apps made by Apple, like Safari, Messages, Mail, Photos and more. A lot of third-party apps run on both, like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notion, Slack. Even advanced apps like Photoshop, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro have iPad versions, although they aren’t as advanced as their MacBook counterparts.
While the iPad Pro can handle the basics in much the same way, like web browsing and working on documents and files, a Mac can do more advanced tasks. While iPadOS 26 brings some power features like app windowing, local audio and video recording and the Preview app, there will still be some features only possible on a MacBook.
An iPad Pro is still a single-user device, while every Mac supports multiple users. Only a Mac can write code with Xcode or the Terminal.
The iPad Pro supports touch input with your fingers and pen input with the Apple Pencil, where the MacBook Pro does not support either. However, the MacBook Pro supports more external displays and third-party accessories.
Apple's midrange laptop fits a colorful 120Hz display, acres of space with 1 TB storage and 24GB memory, and all-day battery life in a compact size.
Apple's flagship laptop packs a roomy 16-inch 120Hz display, powerful internals with 24GB memory, and all-day battery life.
The MacBook Pro is often on sale with good deals on Amazon. You can find bigger deals on the more expensive configurations. However, Amazon has a limited number of premade configurations, and does not allow you to fully build-to-order a Mac.
Replacing the battery on a MacBook Pro can give it a new lease on life.
You can get your battery replaced at an Apple Store, but it may cost a pretty penny. Apple also only works on MacBooks that are under seven years old.
Replacing it on your own is certainly manageable, but is not an operation for the faint of heart. The bottom case easily unscrews, and the battery is mostly unobstructed. You will, however, need to remove the trackpad from the inside to get full access to the battery. The battery is also held in with a lot of glue that can be tricky to remove.
You need to properly reset your MacBook Pro before you trade, sell or pass it down. That way, the new owner will be able to set it up as brand new, with none of your data left on it.
First, make sure that a recent Time Machine backup is in place. You can check this in System Settings > Time Machine. Make sure that “Backups” shows a recent date and time. Otherwise, right-click on your Time Machine and click Back Up Now.
After setting up your new device, go to System Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, click Erase All Content and Settings and follow the instructions.
You can trade in an old MacBook Pro you’re ready to ditch through the Cult of Mac Buyback program. You can get some cash back for an old laptop you have that you can put towards a new purchase.
Don’t worry about packaging — put your device in the box you’ll get in the mail and use the included return label to send it back for free. You don’t have to send back your charger, either; keep it for yourself.
You can get your money back by a printable e-check, ACH deposit or even a check through the mail.
Apple CEO John Ternus on Monday answered a question on the mind of many after the first MacBook with a touchscreen was announced: what does this mean for the future of the iPad?
Ternus’s answer gave the very good reason why the company isn’t going to combine Mac and iPad: it would make them both worse.
Apple might add touchscreens to all its high-end MacBook Pros next year, leaving only the entry-level 14-inch model with a traditional display.
The rumor that Apple will make touch standard on every MacBook Pro with a Pro or Max chip comes just days after the company unveiled its first touchscreen MacBook Pro.
This week on the Cult of Mac podcast: Apple just released the first touchscreen Mac in history — and totally soft-pedaled the touchy-feely part!
Instead, the company emphasized the screen quality of the new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, including showing how great it works from mountaintops and forests.
Color us shocked! There’s plenty to discuss about this momentous Mac. That screen does look gorgeous. And a lighter laptop is always welcome. But that price … ouch!
Also on the Cult of Mac podcast:
Listen to this week’s episode of the Cult of Mac podcast in your podcast app of choice. Or watch the video version, embedded below. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!)
Ask Apple CEO John Ternus, and he’ll tell you his company didn’t just introduce the first touchscreen MacBook Pro. No, they made a MacBook with a beautiful tandem OLED display that also has touch support. The distinction matters.
Still, there were good reasons to add limited touch support to the notebook, as company executives explained in a new interview. Also, if you strongly object to the inclusion of a touchscreen in a MacBook, you’re simply not the target market. Apple execs spelled out who was asking for the feature.
The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is the first with a Dynamic Island. The interactive, pill-shaped module is borrowed from the iPhone, but where’s the iPhone’s Face ID? Apple left it out — and some Mac fans are mad.
On the iPhone, the Dynamic Island wraps around the TrueDepth camera that powers Face ID. But not on this pricey MacBook Pro — Touch ID still handles login authentication. Instead of the laptop unlocking magically when users look at it, they will need to give it the finger instead.
The OLED MacBook Pro is finally here. But the OLED touchscreen is not the main highlight of the new machine despite all the hullabaloo around it.
Apple’s newest MacBook Pro packs several other key upgrades, many of which make it a better everyday machine. These improvements come with a higher starting price, though. So, what exactly does the new touchscreen MacBook Pro bring over the regular MacBook Pro?
The latest MacBook Pro comes with an incredible screen that’s bright, easy to see outdoors, and just happens to work as a touchscreen.
Apple’s promo video for the new laptop shows people typing, tapping and swiping in some very outdoorsy settings, like deep in the woods and high atop a mountain. It’s a great way to hammer home the point: The new MacBook Pro’s screen will deliver studio-quality results virtually anywhere.
It’s back! Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook Pro also brings back an iconic design feature of the past: the glowing Apple logo.
The new OLED touchscreen might grab the headlines, but the light on the lid will take longtime Mac users straight back to their first MacBook.
The MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display just announced by Apple will be remembered for many years… for good or ill. Users will undoubtedly love the beautiful OLED display and the lighter weight, but only time will tell whether its touchscreen will catch on — there’s a great deal of pre-launch resistance to a touch-enabled Mac.
The device is thinner and lighter, and includes a Dynamic Island in place of the screen notch and even a glowing Apple logo. But the eye-watering price is also likely to draw criticism.
Apple is very upbeat about the device, of course.
“The new MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display is a monumental step forward for the Mac,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer, in a statement. “PROLED XDR is the world’s best laptop display. It pairs state-of-the-art tandem OLED technology with advanced algorithms in our display engine to deliver the kind of visual fidelity pros have been dreaming of. And with the magic of Touch coming to MacBook Pro, combined with the game-changing performance of M5 Pro and M5 Max, we’ve created a whole new way for pros to interact with their content, taking their workflows to a completely new level. The new MacBook Pro is the result of the deep integration between Apple silicon, hardware, and software, and there’s simply nothing else like it.”
Apple just dropped the basic version of its new M6 processor into the entry-level version of the MacBook Pro. This is a traditional “chip-and-ship” upgrade, not a redesign, so the faster processor is the major change to the notebook.
“The 14-inch MacBook Pro is the pro laptop of choice for a wide range of users — from college students, to business professionals across every industry, to multidisciplinary creators doing it all on one device,” said Shelly Goldberg, Apple’s vice president of hardware engineering, in a statement on Tuesday. “With the powerful M6 chip, we’re taking performance to the next level, with a boost in CPU speed and graphics and even more powerful capabilities for on-device AI. With its amazing battery life, remarkable Liquid Retina XDR display, and even faster connectivity, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 delivers a fantastic combination of performance, capability, and value.”
We’re apparently just days away from Apple launching a touchscreen-enabled MacBook Pro. And that’s not the only major change — this is the most significant revamp of the MacBook line since 2021. It’ll set the pattern for macOS models for years to come.
Here are five reasons to get excited about the touchscreen MacBook Pro expected to launch at Apple’s “Pro and Tell” event on Wednesday.
Apple sent invitations on Monday for a special event set for October 28, making official a product showcase that has been rumored for weeks.
While the company’s invitation didn’t reveal what’s on the agenda, it’s not difficult to guess. We can look forward to a redesigned MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, new Macs powered by the latest Apple M6 processor, and an upgraded iPad mini.
Apple is reportedly sending select journalists invitations to a product launch event that will be held on October 28. The company has yet to make an official announcement of the event, though.
Still, what’s on the agenda already leaked out. The highlight will be the first touchscreen MacBook, but two M6-powered Macs are also expected, as is an OLED iPad mini.
Apple reportedly has a second major product launch event planned for this month, and this time the spotlight will be on the Mac lineup. The star of the show, supposedly set for October 27, will be the first-ever MacBook Pro with a touchscreen. Plus, Macs updated with the latest Apple silicon are expected, and a significantly revamped iPad mini.
Word of this event comes just hours after Apple sent out invitations to a product launch event on October 13. The focus of that one is expected to be smart-home products.
Apple’s October launch plans might extend beyond its rumored October 13 event, with the first touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro potentially debuting later in the month.
This could make its rumored October 13 smart home event just the start of a much bigger launch spree.
Apple’s upcoming touchscreen MacBook Pro redesign will address one major pain point with the current models: weight.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman says the OLED MacBook Pro will be “significantly lighter” than its predecessors.
Fall is a busy time for Apple, and we’re expecting a big harvest of products this October.
The highlight might be the first touchscreen MacBook. Also apparently coming in the next few weeks could be Apple’s first smart home hub. Plus, we’re keeping our eyes open for an updated HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K. If all that wasn’t enough, an OLED iPad mini and several other Macs are reportedly waiting in the wings.
And, of course, the month will bring the launch of the folding iPhone Duo, which Apple unveiled in September.
Some of these products supposedly will arrive on October 13. Others have less certain release dates, so there’s still plenty of room for surprises. Here are the new products we’re expecting out of Apple this month.
Plenty of new Macs are rumored to be waiting in the wings. Mostly, it’s about bringing the speedy new M6 processor to more models, but we can also look forward to the most radically redesigned MacBook in many years. And a better budget notebook, too.
Anyone on the market for a new Mac take note: Here’s every macOS notebook and desktop currently rumored to arrive by mid-2027.
Apple added three more MacBook models to its official obsolete device list. That means the laptops no longer qualify for standard hardware service, so owners hoping for an easy trip to the Genius Bar will mostly be out of luck.
The three laptops had spent the last few years on Apple’s vintage list, and now they’ve crossed into obsolete territory for good. Apple confirmed the change in an updated support document published on Monday.
Apple plans to refresh the base-model MacBook Pro this fall with its new M6 processor, according to numerous rumors. The performance boost should make it more appealing to those who want a macOS laptop with more ports than a MacBook Air, but at a lower price than Pro models with Pro and Max chips.
Here’s what to expect from the first (and possibly only) M6 MacBook Pro.
Missing a payment on your newly leased iPhone won’t nerf your device. Despite recent rumors, Apple confirmed that there’s no Apple Upgrade restricted mode.
The clarification caps a week of speculation over hidden iOS 27 code that described a system for restricting financed devices when payments went unpaid.
Apple just made it easier to stay on the latest hardware with the launch of Apple Upgrade, a new subscription-style leasing program that lets U.S. customers pay a monthly fee for an iPhone, Mac, iPad or Apple Watch.
The new service builds on the company’s old iPhone Upgrade Program by expanding to almost its entire product lineup, giving customers many more options when it’s time to move to a newer device.
“At Apple, we put the customer at the center of everything we do,” said Karen Rasmussen, Apple’s vice president of the Apple Store online in a press release Tuesday, “and we’re thrilled that Apple Upgrade offers our customers, both online and in-store, a more flexible way to pay for the products they love.”
Persistent rumors leave little room for doubt that Apple will finally build a touchscreen into a MacBook, burt that’s only one of the significant changes we can look forward to. It could launch as early as this fall as the biggest revamp to macOS notebooks since 2020.
It’s important enough that there’s speculation the device could be the first MacBook Ultra, not simply another MacBook Pro version.
Here’s what the latest rumors say about the touchscreen MacBook.
Apple will supposedly skip launching the M6 Pro and M6 Max chips due to AI. Instead, it will launch an M6-powered MacBook Pro and then directly jump to the M7 Pro and Max chips in 2027.
This move would mark a notable shift from Apple’s long-established Apple silicon release strategy. Since the M1 debuted, every generation expanded from the base chip to Pro and Max variants.
The PC industry just posted its worst quarter in two years, but the Mac is having a moment. New shipment data shows Mac sales grew by double digits at a time when every other big computer maker was tanking. Unsurprisingly, the reason comes down to the global chip shortage that’s wrecking the whole industry.
This matters because the same memory crunch dragging down Dell, HP and Lenovo is pushing the price up for your next Mac. Apple seems to be weathering the storm better than anyone else, but it isn’t immune, and the discount window for your next Apple hardware could be closing fast.