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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published November 9, 2016
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What custom processor options are available for the Retina Display MacBook Pro models? Do they have a processor than can be upgraded?
The processor in all MacBook Pro models -- Retina Display or otherwise -- is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase.
However, at the time of purchase, some Retina Display MacBook Pro models can -- or could -- be equipped with faster processors. Specifically, these Retina Display MacBook Pro models were offered at the time of purchase with a faster processor option for the price listed:
13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro Custom Processors
MacBook Pro |
Subfamily |
Processor Option |
Price |
Late 2012 |
2.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-3520M) |
US$200 |
|
Early 2013 |
3.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-3540M) |
US$200 |
|
Late 2013 |
2.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-4288U) |
US$100 |
|
Late 2013 |
2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4558U) |
US$200 |
|
Mid-2014 |
2.8 GHz Core i5 (I5-4308U) |
US$100 |
|
Mid-2014 |
3.0 GHz Core i7 (I7-4578U) |
US$200 |
|
Early 2015 |
2.9 GHz Core i5 (I5-45287U) |
US$100 |
|
Early 2015 |
3.1 GHz Core i7 (I7-5557U) |
US$200 |
15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro Custom Processors
MacBook Pro |
Subfamily |
Processor Option |
Price |
Mid-2012 |
2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3820QM) |
US$350 |
|
Mid-2012 |
2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3820QM) |
US$250 |
|
Early 2013 |
2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3740QM) |
US$100 |
|
Early 2013 |
2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-3840QM) |
US$350 |
|
Late 2013 |
2.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-4850HQ) |
US$100 |
|
Late 2013 |
2.6 GHz Core i7 (I7-4960HQ) |
US$200 |
|
Mid-2014 |
2.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-4870HQ) |
US$100 |
|
Mid-2014 |
2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4980HQ) |
US$200 |
|
Mid-2015 |
2.5 GHz Core i7 (I7-4870HQ) |
US$100 |
|
Mid-2015 |
2.8 GHz Core i7 (I7-4980HQ) |
US$200 |
For those not familiar with Mac history, the PowerBook G3 line is the last Apple notebook series to have upgradable processors. The PowerBook G3 models have processors mounted on a removable card and EveryMac.com still provides a list of upgrade cards compatible with these now vintage Macs.
How do you upgrade the RAM in the Retina Display MacBook Pro models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support? Is it even possible to upgrade the RAM?
By default, the Retina Display MacBook Pro models all have memory soldered onboard. None of these models have RAM that can be upgraded at all after the time of initial purchase.
The now discontinued 13-Inch "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" MacBook Pro models could not be upgraded beyond the stock 8 GB of RAM, period, either at the time of purchase or otherwise.
If they were not equipped with 16 GB of RAM by default, all discontinued "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" as well as discontinued and current "Early 2015" and "Mid-2015" MacBook Pro models -- regardless of display size -- can be upgraded to 16 GB of RAM at the time of purchase. EveryMac.com strongly recommends configuring the MacBook Pro with 16 GB of RAM at the time of purchase, if at all possible, as this will prolong the usable life of the notebook.
If having the ability to upgrade the RAM yourself after purchase is important to you, you might instead prefer to buy a traditional 13-Inch or 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro model on the used market -- which actually are capable of supporting 16 GB of RAM regardless of display size.
Is it possible to add a second SSD or hard drive to a Retina Display MacBook Pro?
No. Many earlier MacBook Pro models can support a second SSD or hard drive in the optical drive bay by using a product like site sponsor OWC's Data Doubler.
However, as none of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models have an optical drive, it is not possible to add a second internal SSD or a hard drive.
What kind of expansion slots are provided by the Retina Display MacBook Pro models?
The Retina Display MacBook Pro models only have a single SDXC card slot. They do not have an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.
If an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot is important to you, you might instead prefer to purchase an earlier 15" or 17" MacBook Pro model that is appropriately equipped. All 17" MacBook Pro models have an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot, but many 15" models do not. The fastest MacBook Pro models with ExpressCard/34 slots are the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.4 17" (Late 2011) and its custom order variant, the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.5 17" (Late 2011).
However, many other models with ExpressCard/34 capability also are available. EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort feature makes it simple to view a complete list.
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