MacBook Guides
Updated May 2024 • Page 3
Our MacBook buyer's guide helps answer the questions you need to know before buying.
Apple updated its fourth-generation MacBook Pro in June 2017 with a minor refresh primarily consisting of faster processors and expanded storage options. This update improves CPU performance with a seventh-generation Intel Core i7 (Kaby Lake) processor, and boosts graphics with either an AMD Radeon Pro 555 or Radeon Pro 560 discrete GPU. Like the outgoing model, the 2017 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar offers a 15.4-inch 2880x1800 (220ppi) display, a large Force Touch trackpad, Touch ID authentication, a butterfly keyboard, and four Thunderbolt 3 ports.
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (2017) was released in June and was a modest upgrade from the previous year’s model. Hardware upgrades include newer Intel Kaby Lake Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors, more powerful Iris Plus 640/650 graphics cards, and faster SSD storage. Apple also added a more affordable 128GB base storage option. Other specs include a Retina display, butterfly keyboard, large Force Touch trackpad, optional Touch Bar with Touch ID, up to 4 USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and high quality speakers. Model numbers for the entry level MacBook Pro 13-inch (no Touch Bar) can be found as A1708, while the higher-end models with the Touch Bar will have an A1706 model number.
Apple released the 2017 MacBook Retina in June 2017, and this served as the final model-year update for this MacBook. The 2017 MacBook Retina kept the same 12-inch Retina display at 2304 x 1440 but brought updated processor options along with faster storage and memory and a second-generation Butterfly style keyboard. The base model 2017 MacBook Retina included an Intel Core m3 Kaby Lake processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Upgrade options included an Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. This model arrived running macOS 10.12 Sierra and with features to include USB-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, and Intel HD Graphics 615.
The 2017 MacBook Air shifted to a mid-year release that happened in June, and this time around Apple offered just one size -- a 13-inch model. The display remained the same as previous years, with the 13.3-inch measurement and 1440 x 900 resolution. Base model specs for the 2017 MacBook Air included a 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, Intel HD Graphics 6000, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of SSD storage, and macOS 10.12 Sierra. Other specs for this model year included WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, one Thunderbolt 2 port, MagSafe, 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, and a 54-watt hour battery. The 2017 MacBook Air weighed in at 2.96 pounds.
The MacBook Pro 13-inch (2017) was released in June and was a modest upgrade from the previous year’s model. Hardware upgrades include newer Intel Kaby Lake Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors, more powerful Iris Plus 640/650 graphics cards, and faster SSD storage. Apple also added a more affordable 128GB base storage option. Other specs include a Retina display, butterfly keyboard, large Force Touch trackpad, Touch Bar with Touch ID, four USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports, and high quality speakers. Model numbers for the higher-end models with Touch Bar carry an A1706 model number.
Apple launched the fourth-generation MacBook Pro (Touch Bar) in October 2016. This generation brought numerous noteworthy changes to the MacBook Pro lineup, with the most outwardly visible being its namesake multi-touch OLED strip positioned at the top of the keyboard. The OLED Touch Bar takes the place of the previous model’s traditional function keys, and offers context-specific functions and controls depending on which application you have open. The fourth generation model also introduces a sapphire glass-covered Touch ID sensor that doubles as the power button, as well as an all-new external housing that is thinner and makes room for a Force Touch trackpad that is now twice as large as its predecessor. Finally, internal specifications were given a healthy boost, courtesy of Intel’s sixth-generation Core i7 (Skylake) processors, 16GB of speedy 2133MHz DDR3 RAM, and the substantially faster AMD Radeon Pro 450, 455, or 460 discrete graphics cards.
The fourth generation MacBook Pro 13-inch was officially announced in October 2016. The late 2016 model introduced some big changes, removing legacy ports and MagSafe 2 charging connector on previous models, in favor of Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and a headphone jack. The completely redesigned MacBook Pro 13-inch also has a thinner and lighter body than previous models, improved display that’s brighter and supports a wider color gamut (with smaller bezels), 46% larger Force Touch trackpad, redesigned second-generation butterfly keyboard, multi-touch OLED Touch Bar with Touch ID, drastically improved speakers with greater dynamic range, and more. Internal hardware specs include Intel Skylake dual-core Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs, Intel Iris Graphics 540/550, up to 16GB RAM, and 256GB/512GB SSD. This was also the year that Apple discontinued the entry-level 13-inch second generation MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) with an optical drive, FireWire port, Ethernet, and hard disk drive.
The 2016 MacBook Retina was released in April 2016, and this release brought several improvements over the 2015 model. Highlights for the 2016 MacBook Retina included updated processor options, along with longer battery life, faster storage and memory, and a new exterior color. Apple offered the 2016 MacBook Retina in Space Gray, Silver, Gold, and Rose Gold. The base model included an Intel Core m3 Skylake processor, with 256GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, and Intel HD Graphics 515. Upgrade options included an Intel Core M5 Skylake or Intel Core M7 Skylake processor, and 512GB of SSD storage. Other features of the 2016 MacBook Retina included a 12-inch Retina display at 2304 x 1440, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C, and a Butterfly style keyboard with macOS 10.11 El Capitan.
The fourth generation MacBook Pro 13-inch was officially announced in October 2016. The late 2016 model introduced some big changes, removing legacy ports and MagSafe 2 charging connector on previous models, in favor of two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and a headphone jack. The completely redesigned MacBook Pro 13-inch also has a thinner and lighter body than previous models, improved display that’s brighter and supports a wider color gamut (with smaller bezels), 46% larger Force Touch trackpad, redesigned second-generation butterfly keyboard, drastically improved speakers with greater dynamic range, and more. A higher-end model with OLED Touch Bar was also introduced, and comes equipped with four USB-C ports. Internal hardware specs include Intel Skylake dual-core Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs, Intel Iris Graphics 540/550, up to 16GB RAM, and 256GB/512GB SSD. This was also the year that Apple discontinued the entry-level 13-inch second generation MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) with an optical drive, FireWire port, Ethernet, and hard disk drive.
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