The MacBook Pro 2017 represents a pivotal moment in Apple’s laptop history, marking the first major redesign since 2016. This model introduced the controversial yet now iconic Touch Bar, a dynamic OLED strip that replaced the function keys, alongside a significantly more powerful internal architecture. For professionals and creatives, the promise was a machine that could handle demanding workloads without sacrificing the premium build quality the brand is known for.
The Design and Build Evolution
From the outside, the 2017 MacBook Pro looks nearly identical to its predecessor, maintaining the sleek aluminum unibody chassis that defined the line for years. The most significant physical change is the addition of four slimmer speakers, which Apple claimed delivered 40% more volume. The inclusion of the headphone jack on this model was a welcome retention, a port that would disappear entirely on the following year’s 13-inch model. The chassis feels incredibly rigid and premium, with a satisfying hinge resistance that confirms its status as a serious tool rather than a disposable consumer device.
Embracing the Touch Bar
Functionality and Adaptation
The centerpiece of the 2017 MacBook Pro is undoubtedly the Touch Bar, a strip of multi-touch display that dynamically changes based on the active application. In native Apple apps like Safari and Final Cut Pro, it provides context-sensitive controls, from emoji palettes to color pickers. While third-party support was initially slow, the bar eventually became a powerful shortcut for functions like adjusting export settings or navigating timelines. For users who resisted the change, the function keys remained accessible via a simple press of the Escape key, offering a compromise between tradition and innovation.
Performance and Thermal Management
Under the hood, the 2017 models were absolute beasts, particularly the 15-inch variants equipped with quad-core Intel Core i7 processors and AMD Radeon Pro 560X graphics. Benchmarks from the era showed these machines outperforming many desktop competitors in single-core tasks, a testament to Apple’s focus on efficiency and power. The cooling system, while not entirely silent, managed to keep the chassis relatively cool during sustained loads, allowing the fans to ramp up only when absolutely necessary. This meant that video editors could render 4K footage without the machine becoming uncomfortably hot on the keyboard deck.
The Keyboard Controversy
Refinement Over Revolution
No review of the 2017 MacBook Pro is complete without addressing the butterfly mechanism keyboard. While the 2016 model was plagued by widespread failure, Apple’s 2017 iteration was a significant refinement. The keys had slightly more travel, reducing the "typing on a hard surface" feel that critics had lambasted. Though the risk of debris causing key failure remained a theoretical concern for some, the tactile feedback and responsiveness were largely praised by reviewers at the time. It was a clear step in the right direction for a mechanism that had divided the tech community.
Display and Audio Quality
The Retina display on the 2017 lineup retained the high pixel density that made Apple screens legendary, but it added P3 wide color gamut support. This shift made a tangible difference in photo and video editing, as reds and greens appeared more vibrant and accurate without sacrificing clarity. The audio, often an afterthought on laptops, was transformed; the four-speaker setup produced a richness and bass response that belied the machine’s slim profile. Watching films or mixing audio became a genuinely immersive experience, with sound emanating from both sides of the display rather than the bottom.
