<P> The MacBook Pro (sometimes abbreviated as MBP) is a line of Macintosh portable computers introduced in January 2006 by Apple Inc . It is the high - end model of the MacBook family and is currently available in 13 - and 15 - inch screen sizes . A 17 - inch version was available between April 2006 and June 2012 . </P> <P> The first generation MacBook Pro is externally similar to the PowerBook G4 it replaces, but uses 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 is thinner than its predecessor and is the first to include a high - resolution Retina Display . A 13 - inch variant was released in October 2012 . </P>

When did the macbook pro 13 come out