The Highs And Lows Of MacBooks
Every MacBook carries a story. Certain models changed how we think about laptops and influenced design and performance standards across the industry. Others became cautionary tales, with quirks or choices that baffled loyal fans. Looking back at these machines reveals more than specs, but also the risks Apple was willing to take. Here, we revisit the releases that stumbled and the ones that soared, starting with the former.
1. MacBook (2006)
Apple’s first Intel MacBook quickly showed its flaws. Shipped with outdated Core Duo processors, CNET slammed its weak graphics and lack of expandability. Owners recall overheating issues and the glossy white case that picked up dirt as fast as it sold.
Using Apple's $4,000 Macbook Pro from 2006! by Psivewri
2. MacBook Air (2008)
Unveiled dramatically from a manila envelope, the first MacBook Air was beautiful but impractical. A slow 4200RPM hard drive and a single USB port made everyday use frustrating. Priced at $1,799, critics joked it was more of a fashion accessory than a practical computer.
Tim Malabuyo from Santa Cruz on Wikimedia
3. MacBook (2008 White Plastic)
Marketed as student-friendly, the white plastic MacBook had its issues. The casing cracked, graphics stumbled on even light tasks, and its glossy screen worsened outdoor use. This was the last of the truly “cheap” MacBooks—Apple shifted focus to more premium designs.
Bactothemacmanphotos32 on Wikimedia
4. MacBook Pro (2008 15-Inch)
The 2008 Pro introduced Apple’s beloved aluminum unibody, but Nvidia’s defective 8600M GT GPU caused widespread failures, forcing Apple into recalls. Overheating caused logic board failures, sometimes within a year, with desperate owners “oven-baking” parts to revive them.
Jeff Geerling from St. Louis, USA on Wikimedia
5. MacBook Pro (2011 15/17-Inch)
These Pros carried a curse: defective AMD Radeon GPUs, which made users endure crashes and video glitches. Logic board failures sparked lawsuits against Apple. A repair program came too late for many who paid out of pocket.
Fried GPU! MacBook Pro 2011 Restoration by Hugh Jeffreys
6. MacBook Pro (2012 Retina)
Apple’s first Retina MacBook Pro disappointed in repairability—iFixit handed it a 1/10 score. RAM was soldered and the battery glued, so upgrades weren't possible. “Staingate” plagued screens, and it ditched the DVD drive, sparking debate.
MACBOOK PRO RETINA 15" MID 2012 BATTERY REPLACEMENT by i-REVIEW & DIY by Tri Phan
7. MacBook (2015 12-Inch)
Minimalism went too far with the 12-inch MacBook, with one USB-C port handling both power and accessories. The butterfly keyboard proved shallow and unreliable, and its Core M chip lagged behind the cheaper Air. At 2 pounds, it dazzled in gold but was flawed.
Tested In-Depth: Apple 12-Inch MacBook (2015) by Adam Savage’s Tested
8. MacBook Pro (2018 15-Inch i9)
The Core i9 model throttled so badly—Dave Lee found it slower than the i7 version. Apple patched it, but throttling still persisted under heavy load. It introduced the T2 chip, causing repair headaches, and many owners agreed it felt slower than cheaper PCs.
Should you get the 2018 MacBook Pro Now? | Work & Daily Use by Terry Brennan
9. MacBook Pro (2016)
Headaches came with the 2016 redesign. A fragile butterfly keyboard failed at the slightest dust, and the Touch Bar replaced useful function keys, which divided users. All ports vanished in favor of dongle dependence. Critics from The Verge to MacRumors panned its reliability.
Bram Naus bramnaus on Wikimedia
10. MacBook Pro (2017)
The 2017 MacBook Pro still carried the defective butterfly keyboard and had performance troubles from thermal throttling. CPUs slowed under heat, undermining the “Pro” status, and the faster Kaby Lake chips barely mattered in practice. Expensive yet impractical.
Now, let’s see the MacBooks that made it to history’s good side.
1. MacBook Pro (2006 15-Inch)
Apple’s switch to Intel began with this MacBook Pro. The leap in speed was huge, with Boot Camp allowing Windows to run for the first time. Macworld praised its “astonishing” performance. It also had a glowing Apple logo and a built-in iSight webcam.
2006 | 15" | Macbook pro | over all review by Tech Distruction
2. MacBook Pro (2010 13-Inch)
Students everywhere loved the 2010 Pro. Affordable yet powerful, it offered an impressive 10 hours of battery life, a huge deal back then. This model was among the last with replaceable hard drive and RAM, and its durability has kept many running even today.
Can You Use A 2010 Macbook Pro In 2024? [13-inch Macbook Pro Restoration] by Crimson Tech
3. MacBook Air (2010)
The redesigned MacBook Air was revolutionary. It became the first Mac to use SSD storage across the board, and it introduced lightning-fast wake times. The thin wedge profile inspired ultrabooks worldwide, and its instant-on functionality set a new standard for modern laptops.
Alejandro Escamilla on Wikimedia
4. MacBook Pro (2012 Non-Retina)
Longevity defined the 2012 non-Retina Pro. This was the last MacBook with easy RAM swaps, storage upgrades, and even a removable optical drive. VICE called it “the workhorse MacBook,” and IT departments loved its easy repairs. Plus, FireWire pleased video pros.
Old is better ? A 2012 Macbook Pro 13' Non-Retina-Display Review by Cheeky & Cultured
5. MacBook Pro (2013 Retina 15-Inch)
The 2013 Retina Pro combined Haswell chips with dazzling display quality. Laptop Mag hailed its “best-in-class display with blazing performance.” Dual graphics options made it a favorite among creatives, while its ability to handle Photoshop, Final Cut, and even games in a slim frame impressed many.
6. MacBook Pro (2015 15-Inch)
Many professionals loved this one. The last MacBook Pro with a scissor-switch keyboard, it also kept MagSafe, HDMI, and an SD card slot. It had strong battery life and quiet performance, and users clung to it long after upgrades.
Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina (2015): Unboxing & Review by DetroitBORG
7. MacBook Pro (2021 16-Inch M1 Max)
Armed with the M1 Max chip, this one became Apple’s most powerful laptop at the time. Flaunting 21 hours of battery life, Tom’s Guide called it “a monster of a MacBook.” Capable of running multiple 8K streams easily, it left older Intel predecessors looking noisy.
M1 Max 16 inch MacBook Pro Unboxing, Setup, Comparison and First Look by zollotech
8. MacBook Air (2020 M1)
This fanless wonder delivered desktop-class performance at an affordable price, and quickly became Apple’s most beloved Mac. It was crowned “the best laptop you can buy for most people” by The Verge. With 15+ hours of battery life, it shocked reviewers.
9. MacBook Pro (2020 13-Inch M1)
Apple moved MacBook Pro to its own silicon here, and it was a triumph. The M1 chip delivered incredible speed, while battery life stretched to 20 hours. Engadget praised it as “shockingly fast and efficient.” Silent and cool, this laptop outclassed more expensive Intel-based competition.
10. MacBook Pro (2021 14-Inch)
Apple brought back MagSafe charging and physical keys, banishing the controversial Touch Bar. Its Mini-LED XDR display was stunning, and TechRadar declared it “the best laptop Apple has ever made.” With up to 64GB of unified memory, it balanced portability with power.