Apple MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" Mid-2012 Specs

Identifiers: Mid-2012 15" - MD103LL/A - MacBookPro9,1 - A1286 - 2556*

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The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch (Mid-2012/USB 3.0) features a 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" 2.3 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (3615QM), with four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (PC3-12800) installed in pairs (two 2 GB modules), a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares system memory, as well as an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam.

The standard configuration of this model has an LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution), but also was available via custom configuration with a "high-res" glossy or antiglare 1680x1050 display for an additional US$100.

Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, a Firewire "800" port, two USB 3.0 ports, a "Thunderbolt" port, separate audio in and out ports, and an SDXC card slot.

This model uses a "Unibody" aluminum case design -- milled from a single piece of aluminum -- and has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery design that provides an Apple estimated 7 hours of battery life.

Compared to its predecessor, this model essentially is identical externally with the exception of the aforementioned USB 3.0 ports. Internally, however, it has a faster processor, architecture, graphics, and RAM.

Also see:

• What are the differences between the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models?
• What are the differences between the "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models and the "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models that they replaced?

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• Tech Specs
• Ports
• Global Original Prices
• Popular Q&As

Tech Specs

Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.

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Introduction Date:

June 11, 2012

Discontinued Date:

October 22, 2013

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2012.

Processors:

1 (4 Cores)

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

10854

Geekbench 2 (64):

11839

Details:

Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro9,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (32):

2724

Geekbench 3 (32):

10551

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro9,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (64):

2974

Geekbench 3 (64):

11545

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro9,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 4 (SC):

3217

Geekbench 4 (MC):

10534

Details:

These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro9,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 5 (SC):

659

Geekbench 5 (MC):

2604

Details:

These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro9,1 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

2.3 GHz

Processor Type:

Core i7 (I7-3615QM)

Details:

This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i7 "Ivy Bridge" (I7-3615QM) processor which includes four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 6 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel). This system also supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" -- which "automatically increases the speed of the active cores" to improve performance when needed (up to 3.3 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize eight total "cores" or "threads" (four real and four virtual). Also see: How fast are the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models each replaced?

Turbo Boost:

3.3 GHz

Custom Speeds:

2.6 GHz, 2.7 GHz*

Details:

*Starting February 13, 2013, this model additionally could be custom configured with a 2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-3720QM) or 2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3740QM) processor for an extra US$200 or US$450, respectively. The 2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-3720QM) processor has a 6 MB level 3 cache and supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" up to 3.6 GHz and "Hyper Threading" with four "virtual cores" or "threads." The 2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3820QM) processor has an 8 MB level 3 cache and supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" up to 3.7 GHz as well as "Hyper Threading" with eight virtual cores or "threads." As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented these configurations as separate models.

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models?

System Bus Speed:

5 GT/s*

Cache Bus Speed:

2.3 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

*This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 5 GT/s.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k/32k x4

L2/L3 Cache:

256k x 4, 6 MB

Details:

Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 6 MB of shared level 3 cache.

RAM Type:

PC3-12800 DDR3L

Min. RAM Speed:

1600 MHz

Details:

Supports 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM SO-DIMMs (204-pin). Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models? How much RAM of what type do they support?

Standard RAM:

4 GB

Maximum RAM:

16 GB*

Details:

4 GB of RAM is installed as two 2 GB modules, no slots free. *Apple officially supports a maximum of 8 GB of RAM, but third-parties have determined that this model actually is capable of using up to 16 GB of RAM with two 8 GB memory modules. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this MacBook Pro. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook Pro. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook Pro. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

2

Details:

N/A

Video Card:

GeForce GT 650M*

VRAM Type:

GDDR5

Details:

*This system has dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR5 SDRAM and Intel HD Graphics 4000 with memory shared with the system. The system automatically switches between graphics systems based on use (when applications use OpenGL, Core Graphics or other graphically demanding technologies, the system will use the dedicated graphics card, otherwise it will use Intel HD Graphics to conserve battery life). Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models? Is it upgradable? Which models have "dedicated" and "integrated" video memory?

Standard VRAM:

512 MB*

Maximum VRAM:

512 MB*

Details:

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics processor has 512 MB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. The "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor shares memory with the system (This graphics processor reserves 512 MB, 768 MB, or 1 GB of RAM for video function by with 4 GB, 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM installed, respectively).

Built-in Display:

15.4" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1440x900

Details:

By default, this model has a 15.4" color widescreen LED-backlit TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1440 by 900 native resolution. However, it also is available via custom configuration with a "high-resolution glossy" 1680x1050 display and a "high-resolution antiglare" 1680x1050 display each for an additional US$100. In addition to the native resolution, Apple reports that the default display also supports "1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched." In the UK, site sponsor ALB Repair offers component-level logic board repair, display repair, and other repair services for this MacBook Pro. No fix, no fee! In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the display, battery, keyboard, motherboard, and more for this MacBook Pro. In Hong Kong, site sponsor iCertified provides well-reviewed repair services for the display, logic board, battery, water damage, and more, all with a 180-day warranty; free diagnostics and estimates; and optional pickup and delivery for this MacBook Pro.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2560x1600. Also see: Are there any adapters or "hacks" that make it possible to connect a second external display to a MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air model?

Standard Storage:

500 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

By custom configuration, this model originally could be equipped with a 750 GB 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM hard drive for an additional US$100 or US$150, respectively, a 1 TB hard drive or 128 GB SSD for an additional US$200, a 256 GB SSD for an additional US$500, or a 512 GB SSD for an additional US$1000. On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the prices on the 256 GB and 512 GB SSD to an additional US$400 and US$700, respectively. Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive or SSD in the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models? What type of storage do these models support? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro. In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

2.5" (9.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (6 Gb/s)

Details:

This model supports a single SATA III (6 Gb/s) 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm thick.

Standard Optical:

8X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that this slot-loading "SuperDrive" (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) has a maxium write speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW" and a maximum read speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, and DVD+RW; 24x CD". Site sponsor Other World Computing offers a "Data Doubler" mounting kit that may be of interest. It makes it simple to install a second hard drive or SSD in the optical drive bay of this MacBook Pro.

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n (450 Mbit*)

Standard Bluetooth:

4.0

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0 standard. *This model unofficially supports 450 Mbit/sec 802.11n Wi-Fi using MIMO. Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?

USB Ports:

2 (3.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (800)

Details:

Two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5 Gbps), one Firewire "800" (up to 800 Mbps) port.

Expansion Slots:

SDXC Card Slot

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

This model has an SDXC card slot. No expansion bays are provided. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and accessories, including docks, adapters, cables, input devices, cases, and more for this MacBook Pro. Also see: Which SD Card storage solution is best for the Retina Display MacBook Pro? Which models are compatible? Is this type of storage safe?

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad (Inertial)

Details:

Apple reports that the backlit integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)." The glass multi-touch trackpad supports "inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities".

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

MacBook Pro (Unibody)

Details:

By default, this MacBook Pro uses a black and silver "unibody" case design milled from a single piece of aluminum with a "catchless" magnetic latch. However, if configured with an "anti-glare" (matte) display, it has a silver border framing the display rather than a black border.

Apple Order No:

MD103LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Mid-2012 15"

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

A1286 (EMC 2556*)

Model ID:

MacBookPro9,1

Details:

*Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. In this case, please also note that the EMC number is not externally listed on the notebook so it cannot be used readily for identification. Also see: All Macs with the A1286 Model Number, the 2556* EMC Number, and the MacBookPro9,1 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

77.5 W h Li-Poly

Battery Life:

7 Hours

Details:

Apple reports that this model has a "77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" that provides "up to 7 hours of wireless web" use. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells quality batteries for this MacBook Pro. In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells quality batteries for this MacBook Pro.

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.7.3 (11D2097)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.15.x*

Details:

*This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion." OS X 10.9 "Mavericks", and OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" as well as OS X 10.11 "El Capitan" with the exception of the "Power Nap" feature. It is capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) as well, although it does not support the Auto Unlock feature. This model is capable of running macOS High Sierra (10.13), and it supports HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), but it does not support hardware accelerated HEVC. This model is compatible with the final version of macOS Mojave (10.14) and the final version of macOS Catalina (10.15), as well. It does not support macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) or later versions of the macOS. Also see: Which Macs are compatible with macOS Catalina (10.15)? What are the system requirements? What are the major new features? Has anything been removed from previous versions of the macOS?

Minimum Windows:

7 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

10 (64-Bit)*

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp 4 supports the 32-bit of Windows 7, Boot Camp 5 supports the 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8, and Boot Camp 6 supports the 64-bit version of Windows 10. Earlier versions of Windows are not supported.

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

Boot/Virtualization

Details:

Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs? For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.

Dimensions:

0.95 x 14.35 x 9.82

Avg. Weight:

5.6 lbs (2.56 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.41 cm, 36.4 cm, 24.9 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1799

Est. Current Retail:

US$300-US$400

Details:

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

Ports

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (Thunderbolt)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Thunderbolt is backwards-compatible with Mini DisplayPort-equipped displays as well as adapters that are compatible with Mini DisplayPort (DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI). It also can support other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard, which provides a maximum theoretical 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (3.0)

Firewire:

1 (800)

Details:

Two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5 Gbps), one Firewire "800" (up to 800 Mbps) port.

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

No internal modem. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Bluetooth 4.0 standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

1

Details:

Internal omnidirectional microphone. Independent audio line in minijack (digital/analog) and audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog).

Sound Out:

1

Headphone:

1

Details:

Has an independent audio line in minijack (digital/analog) and audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog).

Security (Lock):

1

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

1

Details:

100V-240V AC, 85W "MagSafe" power adapter. Also see: What is the "Magsafe" power connector? How does it work? How was it designed to not cause data loss?

Global Original Prices

Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" Mid-2012 in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

Canada:

C$1829

Brazil:

R$7.999

Mexico:

MXN $30,999

United States:

US$1799

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

€1879

Belgium:

€1899

Denmark:

DKK 14,599

Finland:

€1949

France:

€1879

Germany:

€1879

Ireland:

€1949

Italy:

€1899

Luxembourg:

€1804,83

Netherlands:

€1879

Norway:

NOK 14.990

Portugal:

€1949

Spain:

€1879

Sweden:

SEK 17.795

Switzerland:

CHF 2'049

United Kingdom:

£1499

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 13,498

Hong Kong:

HK$13,888

India:

Rs 122,900

Indonesia:

Rp 17,999,000

Japan:

¥154,800

Korea:

KRW 2,390,000

Malaysia:

RM 5,499

The Philippines:

PHP 87,990

Singapore:

S$2,488

Taiwan:

NT$57,900

Thailand:

THB 59,900

Vietnam:

VND 41,499,000

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$1999

New Zealand:

NZ$2899

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.

Popular Q&As

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Pro models follow.

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