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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 15-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models and the "Mid-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 15-Inch "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.4 15" (Retina 2013), "Core i7" 2.7 15" (Retina 2013), and "Core i7" 2.8 15" (Retina 2013) -- are quite similar to the "Mid-2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models replaced -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" (Retina), "Core i7" 2.6 15" (Retina), and MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15" (Retina).
In fact, these lines only are differentiated by processors, configurations, and identifiers. However, as each series is so similar -- and models easily can be mistaken for one another -- an in-depth evaluation of both the similarities and differences can be quite useful.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro)
External Similarities
The "Mid-2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro lines both use the same essentially "sealed" wafer thin aluminum and glass design. Unlike the MacBook Air, which is tapered from back to front, the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models are uniformly 0.71 of an inch thick, 14.13 inches wide, and 9.73 inches deep when closed and weigh a little less than 4.5 pounds.
All of these models have the same high-resolution LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi) "Retina" display, full-size "chiclet-style" backlit keyboard, a glass "no button" trackpad with "inertial scrolling" support, integrated stereo speakers and an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam. None have a built-in optical drive.
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.
These models do not have Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire "800," although Thunderbolt-to-Gigabit Ethernet and Thunderbolt-to-Firewire 800 adapters are available at additional cost.
Identification Differences
The "Mid-2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models share the same external A1398 model number and the same MacBookPro10,1 model identifier in software.
Consequently, the EMC number is better for more unique external identification. Specifically, the 15-Inch "Mid-2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models are EMC number 2512 and the "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models are EMC number 2673. 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 each of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers.
Internal Similarities & Differences
Internally, the 15-Inch "Mid-2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro are quite similar. Both lines use the same "Ivy Bridge" architecture with quad core Intel "Core i7" processors of differing clockspeed, onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM that is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase, and dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares system memory.
Although the internal flash storage is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, it is mounted on a removable module and it is quite possible to upgrade to a larger capacity in the future.
The built-in 95 watt-hour lithium-polymer battery provides up to 7 hours of runtime in Apple tests, although actual runtime can vary. Unfortunately, the internal battery is glued in place, which makes it effectively impossible to replace without also replacing the entire upper case even for the highly skilled.
Comparison Chart
The differences between the standard 15-Inch "Mid-2012" and "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models -- processors, default RAM and storage, identifiers, and price -- are summarized below:
 15" Retina (Mid-2012) |
15" Retina (Early 2013) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Processor Speeds: | 2.3 GHz, 2.6 GHz* |
2.4 GHz, 2.7 GHz** |
| Processor Type: | Core i7 (I7-3615QM) Core i7 (I7-3720QM*) |
Core i7 (I7-3635QM**) Core i7 (I7-3740QM**) |
| Shared L3 Cache: | 6 MB* | 6 MB** |
| Direct Media Interface: | 5 GT/s | 5 GT/s |
| Standard RAM: | 8 GB | 8 GB, 16 GB |
| Maximum RAM: | 16 GB† | 16 GB† |
| Internal Storage: | 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Dedicated Graphics: | NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M | NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M |
| GDDR5 VRAM: | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Display Size: | 15.4" Widescreen | 15.4" Widescreen |
| Display Resolution: | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) | 2880x1800 (220 ppi) |
| Battery Life: | 7 Hours | 7 Hours |
| SDXC Card Slot: | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions: | 0.71 x 14.13 x 9.73 | 0.71 x 14.13 x 9.73 |
| Weight: | 4.46 lbs (2.02 kg) | 4.46 lbs (2.02 kg) |
| Order Numbers (US): | MC975LL/A MC976LL/A |
ME664LL/A ME665LL/A |
| EMC Number: | 2512 | 2673 |
| Model Identifier: | MacBookPro10,1 | MacBookPro10,1 |
| Intro Price (US): | US$2199, US$2799* | US$2199, US$2799** |
* The "Mid-2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models also could be custom configured with a 2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3820QM) for an extra US$250. This custom processor has an 8 MB level 3 cache. EveryMac.com also has documented this BTO/CTO configuration as its own model.
** The "Early 2013" Retina Display MacBook Pro models also could be custom configured with a 2.8 GHz Quad Core Core i7 (I7-3840QM) processor for an additional US$350. This custom processor has an 8 MB level 3 cache. EveryMac.com also has documented this BTO/CTO configuration as its own model.
† Both lines could be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM as a US$200 option, but only at the time of purchase. RAM is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
MacBook Pro Purchase & Sale Options
There are any number of places to purchase a MacBook Pro new or used. However, purchasing from a quality company with years of service in the Mac market 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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