Hey guys! Let's dive deep into the 2017 MacBook Pro with Intel processors. This machine marked a significant era for Apple's laptops, bringing both innovation and some, shall we say, interesting design choices. If you're thinking about buying one, already own one, or are just curious about its place in Apple's history, you're in the right spot. We're going to cover everything from performance and specs to common issues and whether it's still worth it in today's tech landscape. So, grab your favorite beverage, and let's get started!

What Made the 2017 MacBook Pro Special?

The 2017 MacBook Pro was released during a time when Apple was heavily invested in refining its laptop lineup. The focus was on making the machines thinner, lighter, and more powerful. The 2017 models came with several notable features that set them apart, but also introduced some controversies that sparked heated debates among Apple enthusiasts. One of the key highlights was the introduction of Intel's Kaby Lake processors, which promised improved performance and efficiency compared to previous generations. These processors were a welcome upgrade, offering better speeds and enhanced power management, which is always a plus for a laptop.

Another standout feature was the Touch Bar, a thin OLED strip that replaced the function keys. The Touch Bar aimed to provide dynamic and contextual controls, changing based on the application you were using. For instance, in Safari, it might show navigation buttons, while in Photoshop, it could display various editing tools. While the idea was innovative, the Touch Bar's reception was quite mixed. Some users loved the added functionality and customization, finding it a handy tool for their daily tasks. Others, however, found it gimmicky and preferred the tactile feedback of traditional function keys. This divide in opinion made the Touch Bar one of the most talked-about and debated features of the 2017 MacBook Pro.

Apple also made improvements to the display, with the 2017 models boasting brighter screens and a wider color gamut. This meant that the display could show more vibrant and accurate colors, making it ideal for creative professionals who need color precision in their work. Whether you were editing photos, watching videos, or just browsing the web, the enhanced display quality was a noticeable upgrade. The Retina display, already a staple in MacBooks, became even better, offering sharper images and more detail. This made the 2017 MacBook Pro a great choice for anyone who valued visual quality.

Of course, the design also played a significant role in the 2017 MacBook Pro's identity. Apple continued its trend of sleek, minimalist designs, making the laptop incredibly thin and lightweight. This made it highly portable, perfect for users who were always on the go. However, this thin design came with its trade-offs, which we'll discuss later. The unibody aluminum construction gave the MacBook Pro a premium feel, and the overall aesthetic was undeniably Apple. The attention to detail in the design was evident, from the smooth finish to the precisely engineered hinges.

Key Specs and Performance

Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what powered the 2017 MacBook Pro. The heart of these machines was Intel's 7th generation Kaby Lake processors. These processors offered a step up in performance compared to the previous Skylake generation, with improvements in both CPU and GPU performance. The 13-inch models came with dual-core Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, while the 15-inch models packed quad-core Intel Core i7 processors. This meant that the 15-inch MacBook Pro was significantly more powerful, capable of handling more demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering with ease.

In terms of memory, the 13-inch models typically came with 8GB of RAM, while the 15-inch models had 16GB. While 8GB was sufficient for many users, those who worked with large files or ran multiple applications simultaneously often found the 16GB in the 15-inch model to be a better fit. The RAM was also faster, which helped improve overall system responsiveness. Storage options varied, with configurations ranging from 256GB SSDs to 2TB SSDs. The solid-state drives provided fast read and write speeds, which meant quicker boot times and faster application loading. This was a significant advantage over traditional hard drives, making the MacBook Pro feel snappy and responsive.

Graphics performance was another area where the 2017 MacBook Pro saw improvements. The 13-inch models featured Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or 650, which provided a decent boost in graphical capabilities compared to previous integrated graphics solutions. However, the 15-inch models came with discrete Radeon Pro graphics cards, offering significantly better performance for graphics-intensive tasks. These dedicated GPUs made the 15-inch MacBook Pro a viable option for gamers and creative professionals who needed the extra graphical horsepower. Whether you were editing 4K videos or playing graphically demanding games, the discrete graphics cards in the 15-inch model delivered a smoother experience.

The performance of the 2017 MacBook Pro was generally well-received, with users praising its speed and responsiveness. The Kaby Lake processors provided a noticeable improvement over previous generations, and the fast SSDs contributed to a snappy user experience. However, the 2017 models were not without their issues, particularly the infamous butterfly keyboard, which we'll delve into shortly. Despite these challenges, the 2017 MacBook Pro was a capable machine that could handle a wide range of tasks, from everyday productivity to more demanding creative workloads.

The Infamous Butterfly Keyboard

Ah, the butterfly keyboard – perhaps the most controversial aspect of the 2017 MacBook Pro. Introduced with the aim of making the laptop thinner, the butterfly mechanism was a departure from the traditional scissor-switch keyboards found in previous MacBooks. While the butterfly keyboard allowed for a slimmer design and a more stable key press, it also came with a significant drawback: reliability issues.

The main problem with the butterfly keyboard was its susceptibility to debris. Even small particles, like dust or crumbs, could get lodged under the keys, causing them to become sticky, unresponsive, or even completely fail. This was a major headache for many users, who found themselves dealing with keyboard issues after just a few months of use. The problem was so widespread that it led to numerous complaints and even a class-action lawsuit against Apple.

Apple initially tried to address the issue with minor revisions to the butterfly mechanism, but these efforts were largely unsuccessful. Users continued to experience problems, and the butterfly keyboard became a symbol of Apple's design-over-functionality approach. The frustration was palpable, with many users resorting to using compressed air or even disassembling the keyboard themselves in an attempt to fix the issue. The unreliability of the keyboard overshadowed many of the other positive aspects of the 2017 MacBook Pro.

The butterfly keyboard's design also had an impact on the typing experience. The keys had very little travel, meaning they didn't move much when pressed. This resulted in a typing feel that some users found shallow and unsatisfying. While some people got used to the butterfly keyboard over time, others never quite adapted, preferring the more tactile feedback of traditional keyboards. The lack of key travel, combined with the reliability issues, made the butterfly keyboard a major point of contention for many MacBook Pro users.

Eventually, Apple acknowledged the problem and launched a free keyboard replacement program for affected models. This was a welcome step, but it didn't fully alleviate the frustration of users who had already dealt with keyboard issues. The butterfly keyboard saga serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of reliability and user experience in product design. While innovation is crucial, it shouldn't come at the expense of fundamental functionality. The butterfly keyboard remains one of the most significant criticisms of the 2017 MacBook Pro, and it's something to seriously consider if you're thinking about purchasing one.

Other Common Issues and Concerns

Beyond the butterfly keyboard, the 2017 MacBook Pro had a few other issues that are worth noting. One common concern was thermal management. The thin design of the MacBook Pro, while aesthetically pleasing, didn't leave much room for adequate cooling. As a result, the laptop could get quite hot under heavy loads, such as video editing or gaming. This heat could lead to thermal throttling, where the processor slows down to prevent overheating, which in turn could impact performance. Users often reported that their MacBook Pro would become noticeably warm, and in some cases, the performance would drop significantly during demanding tasks.

Another issue that some users encountered was display backlight issues, particularly with the 13-inch models. This problem, often referred to as