<P> The first generation MacBook Pro appeared externally similar to the PowerBook G4, but used Intel Core processors instead of PowerPC G4 chips . The 15 - inch model was introduced first, in January 2006; the 17 - inch model followed in April . Both received several updates and Core 2 Duo processors later that year . </P> <P> The product's second iteration, known as the "unibody" model, has a casing made from a single piece of aluminum . It debuted in October 2008 in 13 - and 15 - inch screen sizes . In January 2009, the 17 - inch model was updated with the same unibody design . Subsequent updates brought upgraded Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and introduced Intel's Thunderbolt technology . </P> <P> Apple released the third generation of MacBook Pro with a 15 - inch screen during WWDC 2012 and discontinued the 17 - inch variant . The previous generation 13 - and 15 - inch unibody models continued to sell with updated processors . The third generation model was a quarter thinner than its predecessor and introduced the Retina Display with a much higher screen resolution . A 13 - inch variant was released in October 2012 . </P> <P> The fourth generation MacBook Pro was announced on October 27, 2016 . It replaced the function keys with an interactive, multi-touch "Touch Bar" and a Touch ID sensor integrated into the Power button . The 15 - inch notebook started at $2,399, compared to $1,999 for the previous iteration . On June 5, 2017, Apple upgraded the internals of the MacBook Pro, such as enhanced Iris Plus and AMD Radeon graphics, Kaby Lake processors, and added memory . Additionally, the 13 - inch MacBook Pro now comes with a 128GB storage option (down from the base 256GB storage) with a lowered starting price of $1299 . All other configurations of the MacBook Pro have the same price as last year, barring the incremental upgrades in processors and graphics . </P>

When did apple introduce retina display on macbook pro