Design. Apple's new 2019 Mac Pro features an entirely new design that's modern, but also harkens back to older Mac Pro models. Learning from past lessons, Apple built the new Mac Pro to be modular, upgradeable, customizable, and able to handle some of the highest-end components available on the market.
Apple isn't holding off on product releases, though, as it just dropped the 2020 iPad Pro and the 2020 MacBook Air (which has the right keyboard) in press releases on the morning of March 18. The last MacBook Pro releases came in October 2016, June 2017, July 2018, May 2019 and November 2019.
The new 16-inch MacBook Pro is not user-upgradable. In fact, we are reasonably sure that the memory and SSD are soldered in place, even though we probably won't have our hands on one until later today to verify.
Older MacBooks and MacBook Pros appear to last longer by approximately one year so on average – up to 6 years and often much longer. If you have a Mac that is no longer working and you are contemplating buying a new computer but are not certain we offer a $75 diagnostic service.
MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)
It's a lot to pay if all you want are the comfortable keyboard and thinner bezels, so much so that we recommend most people actually shouldn't buy it. If you have fairly modest needs, it's better to wait for Apple to move these features to other Macs in the coming months.The 16-inch MacBook Pro is one of the most powerful laptops in its class. You can take your pick between a 6-core Core i7 processor or an 8-core Core i9 CPU. And while you get 16GB of RAM to start this system can handle up to 64GB of memory. Our review model had 32GB, which should be plenty for most applications.
Best Mac 2020: the best Macs to buy this year
- The MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) is truly the best MacBook for content creators, designers and other creative professionals. (
- Apple Mac mini (2018) is packed with 8th-generation desktop processors. (
The mid-2012 models are indeed the most recent that could be upgraded. You can upgrade to 16GB going back to the 15" early 2011 I believe but I'd avoid those models because of the GPU issues that line had. Mid 2012's were pretty solid all around, 13" and 15".
Until very recently, I had been using a 2013 Retina MacBook Pro as my primary computer. It's only now really beginning to show it's age. But even if it doesn't, if you can find a used or refurbished MacBook Pro for a decent price, a MacBook Pro will still serve you well in less technically-intensive fields.
The 2012, non-Retina, regular ol' MacBook Pro is the most compelling—and maybe the best—laptop Apple sells. Its battery doesn't last as long as its glamorous siblings, it's not the lightest or the prettiest, but, with a little tweaking, it can arguably become the most powerful. And that's the key thing: tweaking.
Which Mac operating systems are compatible?
- macOS Catalina.
- macOS Mojave.
- macOS High Sierra.
- macOS Sierra.
- OS X El Capitan.
- OS X Yosemite.
- OS X Mavericks.
- OS X Mountain Lion.
Best MacBook for Most People: MacBook Pro 13-inch (from $1,299) Pros: The 13-inch MacBook Pro crams a lot of power into a slim and light 3-pound chassis --- and now it has a good keyboard. Yes, the 13-inch MacBook Pro trades the unreliable Butterfly keyboard for the much more comfortable Magic Keyboard.
A stock 13" 2012 MBP sells for around $450 on eBay. Sellers rarely get back what upgrades cost, but you should be able to sell for somewhat more, but probably not $700.
Unfortunately, most modern Macs don't allow you to upgrade the RAM yourself. Recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models have the RAM soldered to the motherboard. Some newer iMacs technically have user-upgradeable RAM, but doing so requires extensive teardown of the machine.
Apple doesn't usually support something that is over 7 years old. The 2013 Mac Pro is a special case because it was sold in it's original config for 6 years prior to being replaced.
CUPERTINO, California—February 13, 2013—Apple® is making the MacBook Pro® with Retina® display faster and more affordable with updated processors and lower starting prices. The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display now starts at $1,499 for 128GB of flash, and $1,699 for a new 2.6 GHz processor and 256GB of flash.
For professionals who need a powerful Mac, the choice will probably be between the 27in iMac models, the 15in Retina MacBook Pro, and the March 2019 update puts the iMac right back in the mix. It's an excellent option.
MacBook Pros have faster U-series Intel processors, while the MacBook Air has a slower Y-series processor that is optimized for everyday tasks and battery life. The Air and 13-inch Pro make do with Intel Iris Plus graphics, but the 16-inch MacBook Pro offers discrete AMD graphics.
