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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Published March 2, 2013
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What are all the differences between the 13-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models and the "Late 2012" models replaced?
Please note that all notebooks mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful for anyone buying or selling one of these models on the used market.
The 13-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13" and "Core i7" 3.0 13" -- are very similar to the earlier 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13" and "Core i7" 2.9 13".
In this particular instance, it also is important to note that the "Early 2013" models didn't actually replace the "Late 2012" line. Instead Apple continued to offer revised, and slightly less expensive, "Late 2012" models alongside the new "Early 2013" models.
These lines vary only by processors, configurations, and identifiers. However, some of these differences may be important to you nevertheless, whether for the purpose of determining which model is best for your needs or simply to help identify one from another.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro)
External Similarities
The 13-Inch "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models use the same effectively "sealed" wafer thin aluminum and glass design that weighs a little more than 3.5 pounds (1.62 kg). Unlike the MacBook Air models, which have are tapered from back to front, all 13-Inch Retina Display models are uniformly 0.75 of an inch thick, 12.35 inches wide, and 8.62 inches deep when closed.
Both of these 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro lines share the same a high-resolution LED-backlit 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) "Retina" Display, the same full-size "chiclet-style" backlit keyboard, glass "no button" trackpad with "inertial scrolling" support, integrated stereo speakers, dual microphones, and integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam. Neither has a built-in optical drive, although an external one can be purchased at extra cost, if desired.
Connectivity Similarities
Connectivity is identical for both lines and includes 3-stream 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two "Thunderbolt" ports, an HDMI port, an audio out port, an SDXC card slot, and a "MagSafe 2" power connector port.
Neither line has Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire "800," although Apple offers Thunderbolt-to-Gigabit Ethernet and Thunderbolt-to-Firewire 800 adapters for those who need this connectivity.
Identification Differences
The 13-Inch "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models share the external A1425 model number as well as the MacBookPro10,2 model identifier in software.
Although these identifiers are sufficient for some purposes, the EMC number is better for more precise external identification. The "Late 2012" models are EMC number 2557 and the "Early 2013" models are EMC number 2672. As always, EveryMac.com has painstakingly hand documented these details for your convenience.
Finally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers.
Internal Similarities & Differences
Internally, the "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" models are quite similar and use the same "Ivy Bridge" architecture with dual core -- not quad core -- Intel "Core i5" or "Core i7" processors, have 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM that is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded (either at the time of purchase or afterwards), and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares 768 MB of system memory.
Both lines use internal flash storage rather than a hard drive and this storage is not intended to be upgraded after purchase. However, the flash storage is a removable module mounted in a "drive caddy" of sorts, so it is quite possible to upgrade the storage with larger capacity flash memory modules after purchase.
The glued in place 74 watt-hour lithium-polymer battery provides up to 7 hours of runtime in Apple tests for both lines, although actual runtime can vary. Although replacing the battery is challenging, it is not impossible, either.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the 13-Inch "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- processors, default storage, identifiers, and price -- are summarized below:
 13" Retina (Late 2012) |
13" Retina (Early 2013) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 2.5 GHz, 2.9 GHz* | 2.6 GHz, 3.0 GHz** |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-3210M) Core i7 (I7-3520M)* |
Core i5 (I5-3230M) Core i7 (I7-3540M)** |
| Shared L3 Cache: | 3 MB, 4 MB* | 3 MB, 4 MB** |
| Standard RAM: | 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Maximum RAM: | 8 GB† | 8 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 128 GB, 256 GB†† | 256 GB |
| Integrated Graphics: | HD Graphics 4000 | HD Graphics 4000 |
| VRAM (Shared): | 768 MB | 768 MB |
| Display Size: | 13.3" Widescreen | 13.3" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) | 2560x1600 (227 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 7 Hours | 7 Hours |
| SDXC Card Slot: | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions: | 0.75 x 12.35 x 8.62 | 0.75 x 12.35 x 8.62 |
| Weight: | 3.57 lbs (1.62 kg) | 3.57 lbs (1.62 kg) |
| Order Number (US): | MD212LL/A, MD213LL/A†† |
ME662LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2557 | 2672 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro10,2 | MacBookPro10,2 |
| Original Price (US): | US$1699, US$1999†† | US$1699, US$1899** |
* The dual core 2.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-3520M) processor was available as a "Late 2012" custom configuration for an extra US$200. It has 4 MB of level 3 cache.
** The dual core 3.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-3540M) processor was available as an "Early 2013" custom configuration as a US$200 upgrade (US$1899 total). This processor has 4 MB of level 3 cache.
† Neither line can be upgraded to more than 8 GB of RAM either at the time of purchase or later. RAM is soldered in place.
†† MD212LL/A originally was offered with 128 GB of storage for US$1699 and MD213LL/A was offered with 256 GB of storage for US$1999. On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the price of the MD212LL/A configuration to US$1499 and discontinued the MD213LL/A configuration. These remaining configurations were discontinued October 22, 2013.
MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There are any number of places to purchase new or used MacBook Pro. However, purchasing from a reputable company that has been selling Macs for years -- and also providing after sales support -- will provide the best experience and save you money and time, too.
In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new MacBook Pro models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb MacBook Pro models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. On the other hand, if you need to sell a MacBook Pro, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older notebook with an instant quote and prompt payment.
In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used MacBook Pro models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.
Please refer to EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any MacBook Pro model to any other Mac.
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