So, you’re eyeing the MacBook Pro 2018, huh? It’s a machine that, even years after its debut, still sparks a lot of conversation. And for good reason! This Apple MacBook Pro model, whether you’re looking at the nimble 13-inch MacBook Pro or the more expansive 15-inch version, packed a serious punch with its Intel Core processors, specifically the popular Intel Core i5 and the mighty Core i7.
We’re talking about a device that blended Apple’s iconic design with robust technical specifications, featuring snappy SSD storage (often a generous 512GB SSD or even a 1TB SSD in some configurations), ample RAM (typically 8GB or 16GB), and that controversial-yet-innovative Touch Bar.
The 2018 MacBook Pro aimed to be a workhorse, and many would argue it succeeded, offering a compelling alternative to the MacBook Air for those needing more processor power.
This MacBook Pro review will dig into the spec sheet, the real-world performance, the crucial Thunderbolt 3 ports, the battery life, and whether this 2018 MacBook still holds up against newer contenders like M1 or even the 2019 MacBook Pro. We’ll touch upon its operating system, macOS, the butterfly keyboard, and just what made these MacBook Pro systems tick, including those with 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD.
- 32GB ram | 256GB SSD
- AMD Radeon Pro 555X with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.
- High-resolution LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800
- Connectivity includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, four "Thunderbolt 3" ports (USB-C connector), and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
- Integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam
Why the 2018 Apple MacBook Pro Still Captures Attention
Let’s be honest, there’s a certain allure to an Apple MacBook Pro, and the 2018 MacBook Pro is no exception. Even now, its sleek aluminum chassis, available in Space Gray or Silver, feels premium.
The MacBook Pro looks the part, exuding a professional and sophisticated vibe that few other laptops can match. It’s not just about aesthetics; the build quality is generally solid, designed to be a portable powerhouse.
The continued interest in the 2018 model often boils down to finding that sweet spot between performance and price, especially in the refurbished market. You get access to the Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor options, which, for many tasks, still offer plenty of oomph.
Plus, features like the Retina display, the innovative (though sometimes debated) Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID sensor, and the versatile Thunderbolt 3 ports keep it relevant for users who need a capable macOS machine without shelling out for the very latest new MacBook Pro.
Peeking Under the Hood: Core Specs and Performance of the MacBook Pro 2018
Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty: the technical specifications that made the MacBook Pro 2018 a professional-grade machine. This lineup was all about Intel power.
The 13-inch MacBook Pro often featured a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, with options to upgrade to an Intel Core i7. The 15-inch MacBook Pro typically started with a 6-core Intel Core i7, and you could even configure it with a beastly 6-core Intel Core i9. This Intel Core architecture was the standard for high performance at the time.
Paired with this CPU muscle was the RAM – usually 8GB of LPDDR3 memory on the base 13-inch models, configurable up to 16GB, while the 15-inch models generally came standard with 16GB, upgradeable to 32GB.
And let’s not forget the SSD storage. Apple’s SSD units in the 2018 MacBook Pro were blazing fast for their era, significantly boosting boot times and application responsiveness. Configurations commonly included a 256GB SSD, 512GB SSD, or even larger options like a 1TB SSD or 2TB SSD.
For graphics, the 13-inch models relied on integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics (like the Iris Plus Graphics 655), while the 15-inch variants offered discrete AMD Radeon Pro graphics options, such as the Radeon Pro 560X or even the Radeon Pro Vega 20 with 4GB of HBM2 memory, for more demanding visual tasks.
This combination of processor, RAM, and SSD ensured that the 2018 MacBook Pro, especially the i5-based 13-inch MacBook Pro systems and the 6-core Intel Core i7 15-inchers, could handle a wide array of professional workloads. The 2018 15 model, in particular, was a favorite for creative professionals.
- 2.4 GHz 8th-Generation quad-core Intel Core i5 Processor
- 8GB of 2133 MHz RAM | 256GB SSD
- 13.3" 2560 x 1600 Retina Display
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
- macOS | 802.11AC Wi-Fi
Processor Deep Dive: Intel Core i5 vs. Core i7 in the 2018 Lineup
When considering a 2018 MacBook Pro, the choice between an Intel Core i5 and an Intel Core i7 processor is pretty significant.
The i5, typically found in the 13-inch MacBook Pro, was often a quad-core chip (like the 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i5) which offered a great balance of power and efficiency for everyday tasks and even some more demanding applications. It was a solid processor for students, writers, and many professionals.
However, if your workflow involved heavy video editing, 3D rendering, or complex data analysis, stepping up to an Intel Core i7 (or even the 6-core Intel Core i9 in the 15-inch MacBook Pro) made a noticeable difference.
These Core i7 and Core i9 CPU options provided more cores and higher clock speeds, translating to faster processing for intensive tasks. The 15-inch MacBook Pro with its 6-core Intel Core i7 processor was a common choice for those needing that extra muscle. It’s crucial to match the processor to your specific needs when looking to buy a MacBook Pro from this era.
A Visual and Tactile Delight: Display, Keyboard, and Touch Bar
The Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display has always been a stunner, and the 2018 MacBook Pro proudly carried on that tradition.
Both the 13 inch (actually 13.3-inch) and 15-inch (15.4-inch) models boasted vibrant, sharp screens with “True Tone” technology, which adjusted the display’s white balance to match the ambient lighting. With a native resolution of 2560-by-1600 on the 13-inch model (227 pixels per inch with support for millions of colors) and 2880-by-1800 on the 15-inch (220 ppi), text was crisp, and images were detailed. This made the MacBook Pro looks incredible for photo editing, video work, or simply enjoying media.
Then there’s the butterfly keyboard. Ah, the butterfly keyboard. This was the third generation of Apple’s slim keyboard design, intended to be quieter and potentially more reliable after previous iterations faced criticism and keyboard issue complaints, sometimes leading to keyboard failure.
While some users appreciated its stability and low profile, many found it uncomfortable for long typing sessions and still worried about its durability, sometimes resorting to a keyboard cover. Accompanying the keyboard was the innovative Touch Bar, a dynamic OLED strip that replaced the traditional function keys, offering context-sensitive controls.
The Touch Bar MacBook Pro feature, along with Touch ID for secure login and Apple Pay, certainly felt futuristic. The Force Touch trackpad remained a class leader: large, responsive, and offering excellent gesture control.
- - Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID Sensor | Retina display; 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display with IPS technology (2560x1600)
- - 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor
- - 512 GB Solid-State Drive | 16GB of Memory
- - Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655 | 720p FaceTime HD camera | Four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
- - 802.11ac Wi-Fi wireless networking | Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology
Power Through Your Day: Battery Life and Connectivity
When you’re investing in a pro MacBook pro, you expect decent battery life, and the 2018 MacBook Pro aimed to deliver. Apple’s testing conducted by Apple in June 2018 suggested up to 10 hours of wireless web browsing or iTunes movie playback for both the 13-inch MacBook Pro and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, thanks to their integrated lithium-polymer battery.
Real-world usage, of course, varied depending on the workload, screen brightness, and running applications, but for many, it could get through a good portion of the workday. The Core i5-based 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD were often cited for a good balance of performance and endurance.
Connectivity was another strong suit, primarily thanks to its array of Thunderbolt 3 ports. The 13-inch MacBook Pro (with Touch Bar) came with four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports, while some base models without the Touch Bar (from earlier in the 2017 cycle, important not to confuse) had two.
The 15-inch MacBook Pro also featured four Thunderbolt 3 ports. These port options were incredibly versatile, supporting charging, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps), and USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps).
This meant you could connect high-resolution external displays, fast storage, and a plethora of other peripherals, although it often meant carrying dongles for older USB-A devices. This port setup was a significant feature of the 2018 model.
Operating System and Software Ecosystem: The macOS Advantage
One of the biggest draws of any MacBook Pro, including the 2018 MacBook Pro, is its operating system, macOS. Known for its user-friendly interface, robust security features, and seamless integration with other Apple devices and services, macOS offers a polished and efficient computing experience.
The 2018 model originally shipped with macOS High Sierra or Mojave and can typically be upgraded to later versions, ensuring access to new features and security updates for a good while (though always check Apple support for the latest compatibility).
The OS is optimized for Apple hardware, which often results in smooth performance, even on an Intel Core i5 machine with 8GB of RAM. The ecosystem of apps available for macOS is vast, catering to both creative professionals (with software like Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro) and everyday users.
This synergy between hardware and software is a key reason why many choose an Apple MacBook Pro over competitors. While newer Apple Silicon Macs (like the M1 MacBook, M1 Pro, or M2 MacBook) have shifted the landscape, the Intel-based 2018 MacBook Pro still runs a vast library of existing software very well.
It’s worth noting that Apple takes a complete product lifecycle view, considering the environmental performance of every Apple product, and the MacBook Pro and the environment documentation often highlighted their efforts in this area.
- Stunning 13.3-Inch Retina Display
- Touch ID and the latest Apple-designed keyboard and force touch trackpad
- Dual-core 8th-Generation Intel Core i5 Processor with Intel UHD Graphics 616
- Fast SSD Storage and 8GB memory
- Stereo speakers with wider Stereo sound
Making the Smart Choice: Is the 2018 MacBook Pro Still for You?
So, the big question: should you buy a MacBook Pro from 2018 today? Well, it really depends on your needs and budget. If you’re looking for a capable Apple MacBook Pro with a quality Retina display, a decent Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor, fast SSD storage (like that popular 512GB SSD option), and you find a good deal, then absolutely!
The 2018 MacBook Pro, whether it’s the 13-inch or the 15-inch version, still offers a lot of value. For students, writers, web developers, and even some creative professionals, the performance from an Intel Core i5-based 13-inch MacBook Pro systems with 8GB of RAM can be perfectly adequate.
The 15-inch models with dedicated graphics, like those with Radeon Pro Vega 20, offer more graphical power.
However, it’s important to be aware of a few things. The butterfly keyboard issue is a known concern for some, so if possible, test it out or ensure there’s some kind of warranty or return policy if buying used. Also, while the battery life was good for its time, battery degradation is natural over years of use.
Compared to the newer M1, M1 Pro, or M2 MacBook models, the 2018 MacBook Pro (and even the 2019 MacBook Pro or older 2012 MacBook) won’t match their raw CPU performance or battery efficiency.
But, those Apple Silicon Macs also come with a higher price tag. If you need a solid macOS machine with robust technical specifications, multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports, and the Touch Bar appeals to you, the 2018 model, especially one with an i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSD, can be a very smart purchase.
It’s a testament to Apple’s engineering that these MacBook Pro systems remain compelling options. The base model 13-inch MacBook Pro from 2018 was a strong entry into the pro lineup, and the 2018 15 offered serious power. Always check the full spec before making your decision.
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length. There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arms length.
- This product will have a battery which exceeds 80% capacity relative to new...
