MacBook Pro original or fake? Here’s how you can find out

From checking serial numbers to packaging, there’s more than one way to know if your MacBook Pro is real

What to Know

• To spot a fake MacBook Pro, take its serial number and enter it into Apple’s "Check Your Service and Support Coverage" page online. If it shows you a Valid Purchase Date, the MacBook Pro is genuine.
• Examine the retail packaging meticulously, checking for any spelling errors, variations in Apple’s font and colour schemes, or inaccurately printed details.

The MacBook Pro is a line of Mac laptops made by Apple Inc. Introduced in January 2006, it is the higher-end lineup in the MacBook family, sitting above the consumer-focused MacBook Air. It is currently sold with 14-inch and 16-inch screens, all using Apple silicon M-series chips. MacBook Pros, in particular, are common targets for counterfeiters and some of them look exactly like the real things — but they never function like them. Here’s how to be sure you’re getting the genuine article.

How to tell if a MacBook Pro is legit

There are a few things you can do to tell if a MacBook Pro is legit:

How to Identify a Fake MacBook Pro: Check the Colors

With the exception of Apple’s 14- and 16-inch M3 MacBook Pros which are also available in space black, the MacBook Pros 2023 – 16" are available in 2 colors: Gray and Silver. If you come across a MacBook Pro in a color that Apple has never officially offered, it’s definitely a fake.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3, 2023).
Colors: Space Black, Silver.

MacBook Pro (16-inch, M3, 2023)
Colors: Space Black, Silver.

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023).
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Colors: Silver, space gray

How to Know a Fake MacBook Pro: Check the Model Number

For an added layer of security, consider unboxing the MacBook Pro in the presence of the seller immediately after purchase. Match the device’s Model numbers with those printed on the box to ensure consistency and authenticity.

You can find a MacBook Pro Model number both through the About This Mac menu, and by locating the number on the physical device.

Alternatively, if you have access to the Mac and it’s in a working state, you can find its Model number by following the steps below:

1. On your MacBook, click on the Apple menu located in the upper-left corner.
2. Now, click About This Mac from the dropdown menu.
3. Here, you’ll find your Mac’s model number and year.

The Model number is also printed on the back of MacBook Pro, where all the FCC markings are present.

Here are various MacBook Pro models alongside their model numbers:

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023)
Model Identifier: Mac14,5, Mac14,9

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023)
Model Identifier: Mac14,6, Mac14,10

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M2, 2022)
Model Identifier: Mac14,7

MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2021)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro18,3, MacBookPro18,4

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro18,1, MacBookPro18,2

MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro17,1

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro16,3

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro16,2

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro16,1, MacBookPro16,4

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro15,4

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro15,1, MacBookPro15,3

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro15,2

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro15,1

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro15,2

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro14,3

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro14,2

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro14,1

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro13,3

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro13,2

MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro13,1

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,4, MacBookPro11,5

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)
Model Identifier: MacBookPro12,1

How to Tell If MacBook Pro is Fake: Check the Serial Number

The most foolproof way to tell if MacBook Pro is fake is to go directly to the source: Apple. Apple has an online to check a product’s warranty status. Just enter the MacBook Pro’ serial number and, if you find it there, it’s the real deal. If you don’t, you’ve spotted fake MacBook Pro. Here’s what to do:

If the computer is turned off, you can flip the Mac over and find the serial number physically printed on the hardware. Look for the text beginning with "Designed by Apple in California," and then look at the lowest line of writing, where you’ll find the serial number.

If the computer is turned on, click the Apple logo at the top left corner of the screen, then click About This Mac. You’ll find the serial number in the "Overview" tab of the window that opens. Double-click to highlight and then proceed to copy it.

Follow these steps to spot a fake MacBook Pro using this trick:

1. Once you have your MacBook Pro serial number, head over to Apple’s Check Coverage page.
2. Proceed to paste or type your MacBook Pro serial number into the text box. Then enter the CAPTCHA code and click Continue.
3. If the MacBook Pro is genuine, the tool will show the model and year of the device. It will also show other important information about the Mac, like whether it is still under warranty, its AppleCare coverage status, and more.

How to Spot Fake MacBook Pro: Packaging, Manufacturing, and More

Checking the serial number and MacBook Pro-only features is the most reliable way to spot fake MacBook Pro, but you can use some other methods. These options include some guessing, so we recommend the options from earlier in the article, but you can try these, too:

• Price: Apple products aren’t cheap. For example, the M3 MacBook Pro 14 starts at $1,599 while the higher-powered M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14 starts at $1,999. The M3 Pro MacBook Pro 16 starts at $2,499. So, don’t fall for those amazing deals that offer MacBook Pro at an unbelievably low price. More often than not, these deals are too good to be true, and the laptop being sold is just a cheap knockoff.
• Build Quality: Apple is famous for the very high quality of its devices. You shouldn’t see any seams in the plastic, the ports and connectors are tight and sturdy, and the color of MacBook Pro is clean and bright. If your MacBook Pro seem a little low quality, the parts are loose, or the color isn’t perfect, you might have knock-off MacBook Pro.
• Packaging: If feasible, ask the shop or store owner to present at least two additional retail boxes and perform a side-by-side comparison to detect any discrepancies or irregularities.

Conclusion

If you’re ordering your MacBook Pro online, you won’t get your hands on it until it is delivered. So use this guide to check its authenticity before placing the order to safeguard your money. Read seller reviews, read user reviews on the listing, and avoid suspiciously good deals. It’s also always better to buy from the Apple Online Store or reputed sellers from Amazon and other popular e-commerce websites.