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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published February 28, 2013
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What are all the differences between the 13-Inch Retina Display "Late 2012" MacBook Pro models?
Please note that the "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite useful for anyone buying or selling one of these notebooks on the used market.
The standard 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro originally was offered in two configurations that only differ by storage capacity. As a result, EveryMac.com documents it as a single model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13" (Retina) with acknowledgement of the two configurations and respective order numbers.
On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the price of the entry-level configuration with a 128 GB SSD to US$1499 and discontinued the higher-end configuration with a 256 GB SSD (although the entry level model still could be custom configured with a 256 GB SSD for an additional US$200). On October 22, 2013, Apple discontinued the "Late 2012" models entirely.
This model also could be custom configured with a faster 2.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-3520M) processor for an extra US$200. EveryMac.com documents this custom configuration as the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.9 13" (Retina).
Although the 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models are quite similar, it still is worth evaluating the shared attributes as well as the differences to determine whether or not one is for you.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
External Similarities
Following in the footsteps of the 15-Inch "Mid-2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models before them, 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models share an essentially "sealed" wafer thin aluminum and glass design. Unlike the MacBook Air models, which have are tapered from back to front, the 13-Inch Retina Display models are uniformly 0.75 of an inch thick, 12.35 inches wide, and 8.62 inches deep when closed and weigh a little more than 3.5 pounds (1.62 kg).
Both have a high-resolution LED-backlit 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) "Retina" display with no brand under the display (it only has "MacBook Pro" printed on the bottom). Both have a full-size "chiclet-style" backlit keyboard, a glass "no button" trackpad with "inertial scrolling" support, integrated stereo speakers, dual microphones, and an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam. Neither has a built-in optical drive, although an external one can be purchased at extra cost, if needed.
Connectivity Similarities
Connectivity is the same for both models 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 has Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire "800," although Apple offers Thunderbolt-to-Gigabit Ethernet and Thunderbolt-to-Firewire 800 adapters at extra cost.
Identification Differences
At the time of introduction, the 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models shared the model number A1425 and could be pinpointed by the shared model identifier MacBookPro10,2 in software.
However, as subsequently introduced models share the same model number and model identifier, the EMC number, 2557, is better for unique, long-term identification. 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 both of the "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers.
Internal Similarities & Differences
Internally, these systems are quite similar and use the same "Ivy Bridge" architecture with dual core -- not quad core -- Intel "Core i5" or "Core i7" processors, 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.
Although the internal flash storage is not intended to be upgraded after purchase -- as discovered by site sponsor OWC -- it is mounted on a removable module in a "drive caddy" of sorts (a pleasant surprise), so upgrades to larger storage capacities than those provided by default is quite possible.
The built-in 74 watt-hour lithium-polymer battery provides up to 7 hours of runtime in Apple tests, although actual runtime can vary. The battery is glued in place, which is unfortunate, but replacement is not the atrocious process that it is for the 15-Inch "Mid-2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models, either.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- processors, default storage, identifiers, and price -- are summarized below:
 Core i5 2.5 Retina |
Core i7 2.9 Retina |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speed: | 2.5 GHz | 2.9 GHz* |
| Processor Type: | Core i5 (I5-3210M) | Core i7 (I7-3520M)* |
| Shared L3 Cache: | 3 MB | 4 MB* |
| Standard RAM: | 8 GB** | 8 GB** |
| Maximum RAM: | 8 GB** | 8 GB** |
| Internal Storage: | 128 GB, 256 GB† | 128 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† |
BTO/CTO |
| EMC Number: | 2557 | 2557 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro10,2 | MacBookPro10,2 |
| Original Price (US): | US$1699, US$1999† | US$1899, US$2199* |
* Either of the default configurations could be customized with a faster 2.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-3520M) processor for an extra US$200. EveryMac.com documents this custom configuration as the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.9 13" (Retina).
** Neither model 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 is 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. On October 22, 2013, Apple discontinued these models entirely.
MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There are any number of places to purchase a new or used 13-Inch MacBook Pro. However, purchasing from a quality vendor with extensive experience in the Mac market -- and 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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