History of the MacBook

Introduction

The MacBook was Apple’s consumer‑oriented notebook line introduced in 2006, alongside the “MacBook Air” and “MacBook Pro.” While the Pro targeted professionals with high performance and the Air emphasized extreme thinness and lightness, the plain MacBook was conceived as a “basic Mac notebook” for education and general users. There are two major generations: the first series (13‑inch) sold from 2006 to 2012, and the 12‑inch Retina models sold from 2015 to 2019. This article details each generation’s development background, design, technical characteristics, release timing, reception, and the path to discontinuation, and also touches on rumors of a revival. At the end, a table summarizes key models, release years, and features.

First Generation: 13‑inch MacBook (2006–2012)

Background and Purpose

In 2006, as Apple transitioned from PowerPC to Intel processors, it introduced the MacBook as a new notebook line that consolidated the previous “iBook” and the 12‑inch PowerBook G4. It featured a chassis 20% thinner than the iBook at 1 inch thick and was said to deliver up to five times the performance. Standard features included a bright 13.3‑inch glossy display (approximately 79% brighter than the iBook), an integrated iSight camera, a MagSafe power adapter, a Sudden Motion Sensor, and a scrolling trackpad. Offered in white and black, it was promoted as “the world’s most advanced consumer notebook.” The model was especially popular in the education market and for many years formed the core of Apple’s notebook sales.

Polycarbonate Chassis Models (2006–2008)

The first MacBook was released on May 16, 2006. It initially shipped with 32‑bit Intel Core Duo processors, later updated to 64‑bit Core 2 Duo. Key characteristics were as follows:
• Chassis – A white (or black) polycarbonate unibody. The black model used a higher‑capacity HDD and was priced above the standard configuration. It featured a recessed island‑style keyboard, a magnetic latch, and a MagSafe power connector.
• Display – A 13.3‑inch glossy widescreen LCD, the first time Apple standardized a glossy panel on its notebooks.
• I/O – A DVD drive, two USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 400, Gigabit Ethernet, Mini‑DVI output, and audio in/out. Memory and HDD were relatively accessible for upgrades.
• Other – Built‑in iSight camera, AirPort Extreme (Wi‑Fi), and Bluetooth 2.0. The MagSafe connector helped prevent the machine from being pulled off a table if the power cable was snagged.
Minor updates in 2007–2008 unified CPUs to Core 2 Duo and discontinued the black model. The integrated chipset and HDD capacity were improved, though external appearance changed little.

Aluminum Unibody Model (2008)

On October 14, 2008, Apple unveiled a new MacBook family featuring an aluminum unibody enclosure. This model significantly overhauled the previously plastic MacBook line. Highlights:
• Unibody construction – A single piece of machined aluminum replaced multi‑part assemblies, achieving thinness and rigidity. Apple’s Jonathan Ive stated that “a MacBook made from a single block is fundamentally thinner, stronger, and more beautiful.”
• NVIDIA GeForce 9400M – A new integrated GPU claimed to offer five times the 3D performance of previous generations.
• Glass Multi‑Touch trackpad – A glass trackpad clickable across its entire surface, about 40% larger than before and supporting multi‑touch gestures.
• LED‑backlit display – A 13‑inch LED‑backlit screen that was more energy‑efficient and mercury‑free, with a glass front extending edge to edge.
• Environmental considerations – The new family emphasized energy efficiency and non‑toxic materials, meeting EPEAT Gold and Energy Star 4.0.
• Price and performance – 0.95 inches (about 2.4 cm) thick and 4.5 pounds (about 2.04 kg). The entry model started at $1,299 with a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo and a 160 GB HDD.
However, the removal of the FireWire 400 port drew criticism from some users. In June 2009, an update rebranded the 13‑inch model as “MacBook Pro,” and the aluminum MacBook without the “Pro” name lasted only about half a year.

Polycarbonate Unibody Models (2009–2010)

On October 20, 2009, Apple introduced a new unibody MacBook made of polycarbonate. It inherited the design language of the original while incorporating unibody techniques from the aluminum line to create a lower‑priced model. Main specs:
• Chassis and appearance – A rounded white unibody paired with a glass Multi‑Touch trackpad and a non‑skid material on the bottom. Weight dropped to 4.7 pounds (about 2.13 kg). Despite being plastic, it was robust and sized to fit easily into backpacks for portability.
• Internal specs – A 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB DDR3 memory, a 250 GB HDD, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics. A 1066 MHz front‑side bus improved performance.
• LED‑backlit display – A 13.3‑inch LED‑backlit LCD for brighter output, power savings, and wider viewing angles.
• Battery – A groundbreaking built‑in lithium‑polymer battery enabled a claimed 7 hours of wireless use. It supported up to 1,000 charge cycles; replacement was stated at $129.
• I/O – Mini DisplayPort, two USB 2.0 ports, Gigabit Ethernet, analog/digital audio ports, AirPort Extreme 802.11n, and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, with an 8x SuperDrive optical drive.
• Environmental performance – Also met EPEAT Gold and Energy Star 5.0; the LED backlight was mercury‑free, and internal cabling was PVC‑free.
• Price – Launched at $999, targeting education and first‑time Mac buyers.
In May 2010, Apple boosted the processor and extended battery life (up to 10 hours). The MacBook ended general retail sales on July 20, 2011, with the thinner MacBook Air taking over the entry tier. Sales to educational institutions continued until February 2012. It was Apple’s last Mac to use a plastic enclosure.

Summary of the First Generation

The original MacBook series offered innovative features and stylish design at a lower price point, driving Apple’s notebook sales. The polycarbonate models were especially popular in education, while the aluminum unibody brought Pro‑class technologies to a broader audience. The 2009 polycarbonate unibody model introduced a built‑in battery and a non‑skid bottom, helping Apple emphasize environmental initiatives. From 2011 onward, the lineup consolidated around the Air and Pro, and the plain MacBook disappeared.

Second Generation: 12‑inch Retina MacBook (2015–2019)

1. How It Returned
   Several years after the original MacBook was discontinued, Apple announced an entirely new MacBook on March 9, 2015, equipped with a 12‑inch Retina display. Described as “the thinnest and lightest Mac ever,” it weighed 2 pounds (about 0.92 kg) and measured 13.1 mm thick. Philip Schiller said it “shows the future of the notebook,” emphasizing its bold reduction of traditional ports.

2. Features of the 2015 Model
   • Display – A 12‑inch Retina display (2304 × 1440) just 0.88 mm thick, operating on 30% less power than the MacBook Air’s panel at the time.
   • Chassis and weight – 13.1 mm thick and roughly 2 pounds. In addition to Space Gray and Silver finishes, Gold was introduced, following the iPhone and iPad.
   • Butterfly keyboard – A new “butterfly mechanism” replaced the traditional scissor switches, with per‑key LEDs enabling thinness and uniform illumination. Although first appearing on the 12‑inch MacBook, it was later used on the Pro/Air; reliability issues later drew criticism.
   • Force Touch trackpad – The first Mac to combine pressure sensors with haptic feedback. It doesn’t physically click; instead, it senses force and simulates clicks through vibrations.
   • Fanless design and Core M processor – A logic board reduced in size by 67% housed Intel’s Core M (Broadwell), enabling a completely silent, fanless design. Heat was kept in check, but performance lagged the Air/Pro.
   • Terraced battery – A “terraced” battery pack followed the internal contours to deliver up to 9 hours of web browsing and 10 hours of video playback within a small chassis.
   • I/O – Only a headphone jack and a single USB‑C port, used for charging, data, and DisplayPort output (but not Thunderbolt). MagSafe and USB‑A were removed, making adapters essential.
   • Other – 802.11ac Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and OS X Yosemite preinstalled. U.S. pricing started at $1,299.
   While praised for design, the model faced criticism for the Core M’s limited performance and its single port. The butterfly keyboard, despite its sleekness, suffered from reliability problems and many reported failures.

2016 Model Refresh

A refresh in April 2016 adopted Intel Skylake Core m3/m5/m7 processors and Intel HD 515 graphics. Memory supported up to 8 GB of 1866 MHz LPDDR3, and storage was faster. Rose Gold was added, and battery life ticked up to around 10–11 hours. The basic design remained unchanged, with just one USB‑C port.

4. 2017 Model Refresh
   In June 2017, Apple introduced a second‑generation update with Intel Kaby Lake Core m3/i5/i7 processors. The keyboard moved to a second‑generation butterfly mechanism, reportedly improving feel and durability. The SSD was up to 50% faster, and configurations with up to 16 GB of memory were offered.

5. 2018–2019 Developments and Discontinuation
   In 2018, Apple simplified the lineup, discontinuing Rose Gold among other tweaks. On July 9, 2019, Apple quietly ended production of the 12‑inch MacBook, with the (2018) MacBook Air effectively taking its place. The plain “MacBook” name once again vanished from the lineup.

6. End of Support and “Vintage/Obsolete” Status
   Apple classifies products a few years after sale as “vintage” or “obsolete.” The 2015 12‑inch MacBook was designated vintage in July 2021, meaning repairs are accepted only while parts last. The Early 2016 model was classified as “obsolete” in September 2024, ending repair support at Apple Stores and Authorized Service Providers. OS support also ended in stages: after macOS Monterey (2021), Ventura (2022), and Sonoma (2023), early models no longer received updates.

Evaluation of the Second Generation

The 12‑inch MacBook pursued extreme thinness, lightness, and silence, presenting a forward‑looking USB‑C‑centric design. However, the inconvenience of a single port, limited Core M performance, and the butterfly keyboard’s failure rates led to mixed reviews and modest sales. Since 2019, a thinner and lighter MacBook Air with Apple Silicon has absorbed the MacBook’s role.

Rumors of a Return and Future Prospects

Since the 2019 discontinuation, the plain MacBook has been absent from Apple’s notebook lineup. In the 2020s, new rumors have circulated:
• Hopes for a 12‑inch MacBook revival – A March 2025 Macworld article argued Apple should bring back a 12‑inch MacBook given Apple Silicon’s performance. The piece suggested that an ultra‑light notebook with an M4 chip could be ideal for education and mobile work. This is editorial opinion, not official information.
• Rumors of a low‑cost MacBook – In October 2023, MacRumors reported supply‑chain chatter that Apple was exploring a low‑cost 12–13‑inch MacBook (around $700) to compete with Chromebooks, aiming at education to offset weak iPad/MacBook sales; mass‑production plans were said to be undecided. This remains unverified.
As of now, Apple’s focus is on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, with no official announcements regarding a MacBook revival. Apple Silicon makes high performance with low power possible, so an ultra‑light model could appear someday—but whether it would be called “MacBook” is unknown.

Major Models: Release Years and Key Features

Conclusion

The MacBook symbolized a “stylish, affordable Mac” in Apple’s notebook lineup. The first series helped Apple transition from iBook while expanding into general and education markets, popularizing innovations like the aluminum unibody and built‑in batteries. The reintroduced 12‑inch model pushed thinness and silence to the extreme and anticipated a USB‑C future, but performance limits and keyboard issues shortened its lifespan. Since 2019, the MacBook Air has taken over as the thin‑and‑light option, and the plain “MacBook” name has again disappeared. While Apple Silicon’s progress and market demand could inspire a new ultra‑light model, any return remains speculative. The MacBook’s history mirrors Apple’s pursuit of user experience and design innovation and offers valuable insight into the evolution of notebook computers.

• MacBook (2006–2012) - Wikipedia
• The evolution of the MacBook – Computerworld
• Apple Unveils New MacBook With Intel Core 2 Duo Processors - Apple
• New MacBook Family Redefines Notebook Design - Apple
• Apple Updates MacBook With LED-Backlit Display, Multi-Touch Trackpad & Built-in Seven-Hour Battery - Apple
• Apple Unveils All-New MacBook - Apple
• 12-inch MacBook - Wikipedia
• Apple Adds 2015 MacBook To Vintage Mac List | Macworld
• Apple declares 12-inch MacBook from 2015 a vintage product | AppleInsider
• Apple Adds These 12 Macs to Vintage and Obsolete Products Lists - MacRumors
• Forget the M4 Air, I want Apple to bring back the plain ol' MacBook | Macworld
• Apple to Sell Low-Cost 12-Inch and 13-inch MacBooks for $700 or Less - MacRumors