The first MacBook Pro used a similar design to the PowerBook G4, but replaced the PowerPC G4 chips with Intel Core Duo processors, added an iSight webcam, and introduced the MagSafe power connector.

It is thinner than its predecessor, made solid-state storage (SSD) standard, added HDMI, and included a high-resolution Retina display.

The Touch Bar MacBook Pro, released in October 2016, adopted USB-C for all data ports and power and included a shallower "butterfly"-mechanism keyboard.

A November 2019 revision to the Touch Bar MacBook Pro introduced the Magic Keyboard, which uses a scissor-switch mechanism.

This revision also modified the Touch Bar, as users were complaining about the ESC key disappearing and not being able to exit a computer window.

These models re-introduced MagSafe, function keys HDMI, an SD card reader, and some other elements that had been removed from the Touch Bar MacBook Pro.

The original MacBook Pro used the design of the PowerBook G4, but replaced the PowerPC G4 chips with Intel Core Duo processors,[5] added a built-in iSight camera, and introduced the MagSafe power connector.

Apple initially ignored reports, before admitting to the fault and replacing logic boards free of charge for up to 4 years after the purchase date.

During the MacWorld Expo keynote on 6 January, 2009, Phil Schiller announced a 17-inch MacBook Pro with unibody construction.

This version diverged from its 15-inch sibling with an anti-glare "matte" screen option (with the glossy finish standard) and a non user-removable lithium polymer battery.

[31] Instead of traditional round cells inside the casing, the lithium-ion polymer batteries are shaped and fitted into each notebook to maximally utilize space.

[41] The MagSafe connector on the power adapter bundled with the computer was redesigned to a barrel shape,[28] and a high-resolution display (of 1680 × 1050) was announced as an option for the 15-inch models.

[45] Apple communicated that Thunderbolt could be used to drive displays or to transfer large quantities of data in a short amount of time.

[45] On 11 June, 2012, Apple announced upgraded Mac notebooks at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.

[citation needed] After a media event on 22 October, 2013, Apple discontinued all non-retina unibody MacBook Pros except for the entry-level 2.5 GHz 13-inch model.

[51][52][53][54][55] In August 2014 the law firm Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP had begun investigating the problem to determine if any legal claim exists.

The program covered affected MacBook Pro models until 31 December, 2016, or four years from original date of sale.

[69][70] Apple again updated the line on 22 October, 2013 to include Intel's 4th generation Haswell processors with Iris Graphics, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

[74] On 9 March, 2015, the 13-inch model was updated with Intel 5th generation Broadwell-U processors with Iris 6100 graphics, faster flash storage (based on PCIe 2.0 × 4 technology), LPDDR3 RAM with higher clock speeds (upgraded from 1600MHz to 1866MHz), increased battery life (extended to 10 hours), and a Force Touch trackpad.

[75][76] On 19 May, 2015, 15-inch model added Force Touch and changed the GPU to AMD Radeon R9 M370X, SSD based on PCIe 3.0 × 4 technology, the battery life was extended to 9 hours, and the rest of the configuration remained unchanged.

[81] In June 2019, Apple announced a worldwide recall for certain 2015 15" MacBook Pro computers after receiving at least 26 reports of batteries becoming hot enough to produce smoke and inflict minor burns or property damage.

Apple unveiled Touch Bar 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models during a press event at their headquarters on 27 October, 2016.

Other updates to the MacBook Pro include dual- and quad-core Intel 6th generation Skylake Core i5 and i7 processors, improved graphics, and displays that offer a 25% wider color gamut, 67% more brightness, and 67% more contrast.

[95][96] On 5 June, 2017, Apple updated the line with Intel 7th generation Kaby Lake processors and newer graphics cards.

[99] On July 9, 2019, Apple updated the 13-inch model with two Thunderbolt ports with newer quad-core eighth-generation processors with Iris Plus graphics, True Tone display technology, and replaced the function keys with the Touch Bar.

[101] macOS Catalina 10.15.2 added support for 6016x3384 output on 15-inch 2018 and newer models to run the Pro Display XDR at full resolution.

A report by AppleInsider claimed that the updated "Butterfly" keyboard fails twice as often as previous models, often due to particles stuck beneath the keys.

The four Thunderbolt port version comes with 10th generation Ice Lake-U processors, updated graphics, up to 32 GB of memory and 4 TB of storage, and supports 6K output to run the Pro Display XDR.

[116] The FaceTime camera remained 720p, but Apple advertised an improved image signal processor for higher quality video.

Other additions include an edge-to-edge Liquid Retina XDR display with thinner bezels and an iPhone-like notch, ProMotion variable refresh rate, a 1080p webcam, Wi-Fi 6, three Thunderbolt ports, a six-speaker sound system supporting Dolby Atmos, and support of multiple external displays.