You may remember the launch of the first MacBook Pro. The latter took place almost two decades ago! It was in fact on January 10, 2006 that Steve Jobs unveiled this emblematic product during the Macworld Conference & Expo. This machine, which revolutionized portable computing, has just celebrated its 19th birthday. A look back at the birth of an icon.
The first portable Mac to switch to Intel
The MacBook Pro marks a turning point in Apple’s history. This is the first Mac to swap PowerPC processors for Intel Core Duo chips. A change in size, which is accompanied by a revisited aluminum chassis, an integrated webcam, and the MagSafe power connector.
© MacRumors
The screen is not to be outdone, with a brightness up 67% compared to the PowerBook G4. Apple then promises up to 4 times better performance thanks to Intel processors. A transition made easier by Rosetta, a translation tool that allows PowerPC applications to run on new Intel Macs.
Two configurations, immediate success
At launch, the MacBook Pro is offered in two configurations, both equipped with a 15.4 inch screen in 1440 x 900. The entry-level model has a 1.67 GHz Intel Core Duo processor, 512 MB of RAM and an 80 GB hard drive. The high-end version goes to 1.83 GHz, 1 GB of RAM and 100 GB storage.
Both variants benefit from an ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics card. With only 2.5 kg and 2.5 cm thickthe 15-inch MacBook Pro seduces with its finesse and lightness. On the connectivity side, there are two USB 2.0 ports, a FireWire 400, a Gigabit Ethernet and an ExpressCard/34 slot. If the initial absence of the FireWire 800 raises some eyebrows, it will return in subsequent revisions.
In April 2006, three months after the launch of the 15-inch, Apple completed the range with a 17-inch version. It was a success, and the MacBook Pro established itself as the benchmark for professional laptops.
Over the years, it will continue to evolve, with the transition to a unibody shell in 2008, the Retina screen in 2012, or even the famous Touch Bar in 2016, which could perhaps do its return in a different format. 19 years later, the MacBook Pro remains a companion of choice for creatives and professionals.
