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Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A
Update Published November 10, 2016
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What are all the differences between the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models? Which is best for my needs?
Please note that all MacBook Pro models mentioned in this Q&A have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and quite useful for anyone considering one of these notebooks on the used market.
Other than the differences in size, weight, and corresponding display size, one would be unlikely to notice major -- if any -- differences between the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch models even with fairly detailed external review. However, there are important differences that merit evaluation.
Naturally, the 13-Inch models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch and "Core i7" 2.9 13-Inch -- are smaller and lighter than the 15-Inch models -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch and "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.
External Differences
Just like several previous revisions of MacBook Pro models before them, the "Mid-2012" models use a black and silver "Unibody" case -- milled from a single block of aluminum -- and all have a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass multi-touch trackpad with support for "inertial scrolling" and have LED-backlit displays. Both models have a 720p "FaceTime HD" webcam as well.
By default, each display has a glossy finish. However, the 15-Inch models also are offered with a high-resolution 1680x1050 display in either a glossy or anti-glare finish for an additional US$100. As a minor point worth noting, when configured with an anti-glare display, the system will have a silver "frame" around the display rather than a black one.
All have a built-in non-swappable battery design, and this battery is not designed to be removed or serviced by end users, just like the battery in "Unibody" MacBook Pro models starting with the "Mid-2009" line. Regardless of size, Apple estimates that both of the "Mid-2012" models provide seven hours of battery life based on an Apple "wireless web" test.
Connectivity Differences
Connectivity on the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models is almost identical. All of these models include 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, a single Firewire "800" port, two USB 3.0 ports, a "Thunderbolt" port that supports an external display at 2560x1600 as well as other peripherals that are compatible with the Thunderbolt standard, and an SDXC-capable SD card slot.
However, the 13-Inch models have a single "audio line in/out" port, whereas the 15-Inch models have an independent audio line in minijack (digital/analog) and an independent audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog). Neither of these models have an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot.
Identification Differences
Externally, the "Mid-2012" line unfortunately uses the same model numbers as several earlier MacBook Pro models and EMC numbers are not listed externally, which makes them inconvenient for identification purposes. As such, these models only can be externally differentiated by the serial number courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.
In software, however, the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro also can be uniquely spotted by the MacBookPro9,2 and MacBookPro9,1 model identifiers, respectively. Please be careful to note that the higher number "9,2" identifier refers to the lower end models.
Regardless of the identifier that is most convenient for you, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature can be helpful to identify these MacBook Pro models and all other G3 and later Macs.
Internal Differences
Internally, there are some similarities between the 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models.
Specifically, all models use "Ivy Bridge" architectures with a 5 GT/s Direct Media Interface (DMI), support for 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L memory that can be upgraded (officially to 8 GB, but third-parties like site sponsor Other World Computing have discovered that they actually support 16 GB of RAM), support for a Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) hard drive, and an internal 8X DL "SuperDrive" (as well as support for after market options to install a second hard drive or SSD in place of the optical drive).
There are notable differences, too. The 13-Inch models have dual core Core i5 or i7 processors whereas the 15-Inch models all have considerably faster quad core Core i7 processors with larger L3 caches. The 13-Inch models also have "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processors that share memory with the system whereas the 15-Inch models have dual graphics processors, the same integrated ones as their lower-end brethren as well as dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics processors with 512 MB or 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. The 15-Inch models automatically switch between graphics processors depending on need (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).
Comparison Chart
The major differences between the stock 13-Inch and 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models -- size, display, connectivity, processor type and speed, and graphics -- as well as configuration, identifiers, and price -- are summarized below:
| Mid-2012 | i5 2.5 DC 13" | i7 2.9 DC 13" | i7 2.3 QC 15" | i7 2.6 QC 15" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor: | I5-3210M | I7-3520M | I7-3615QM | I7-3720QM |
| Cores: | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Speed: | 2.5 GHz | 2.9 GHz | 2.3 GHz | 2.6 GHz* |
| Turbo Boost: | 3.1 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 3.3 GHz | 3.6 GHz* |
| L3 Cache: | 3 MB | 4 MB | 6 MB | 6 MB* |
| Storage: | 500 GB | 750 GB | 500 GB | 750 GB |
| Optical: | 8X DL | 8X DL | 8X DL | 8X DL |
| Std RAM: | 4 GB | 8 GB | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| GDDR5: | No | No | 512 MB** | 1 GB** |
| USB 3.0: | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| FW 800: | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Opt Audio: | No† | No† | Yes | Yes |
| SDXC Slot: | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Disp Size: | 13.3" | 13.3" | 15.4" | 15.4" |
| Matte Opt: | No | No | Yes†† | Yes†† |
| Std Res: | 1280x800 | 1280x800 | 1440x900 | 1440x900 |
| Res Opt: | N/A | N/A | 1680x1050 | 1680x1050 |
| Batt Life: | 7 Hours | 7 Hours | 7 Hours | 7 Hours |
| Height§: | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 |
| Width§: | 12.78 | 12.78 | 14.35 | 14.35 |
| Depth§: | 8.94 | 8.94 | 9.82 | 9.82 |
| Weight: | 4.5 lbs | 4.5 lbs | 5.6 lbs | 5.6 lbs |
| Order No: | MD101LL/A | MD102LL/A | MD103LL/A | MD104LL/A |
| Model ID: | MacBookPro9,2 | MacBookPro9,2 | MacBookPro9,1 | MacBookPro9,1 |
| Price: | US$1199 | US$1499 | US$1799 | US$2199* |
* This model also can be custom configured with a 2.7 GHz Core i7 (I7-3820QM) processor for an additional US$250. This custom 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." EveryMac.com also documents this custom configuration as its own model for your convenience.
** These models additionally have an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.
† The 13-Inch models have a single "audio in/out" port rather than an independent audio line in minijack (digital/analog) and an independent audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog) like the 15-Inch models.
†† The 15-Inch models also are offered with a high-resolution 1680x1050 display in either a glossy or anti-glare finish for an additional US$100.
§ Dimensions provided in inches, while each system is in the "closed" position.
So, which "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro is best for my needs?
As the "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models are the last Apple notebooks that can be substantially upgraded after purchase -- considerably increasing the lifespan of the notebook -- these are best suited for those interested in both high performance and the possibility of future upgrades.
If price, relative size, and future upgrades are all important -- but performance, particularly graphics performance, are less so -- a 13" MacBook Pro model would be ideal. Naturally, the higher-end 13-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.9 13-Inch -- is faster and to some users every bit of performance counts. However, for those on a budget and interested in a strict price-to-performance ratio, the entry-level MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch model was a better deal when new, as it cost 25% less but only provides roughly 15% less performance. Upgrading the entry-level model after purchase with additional RAM and/or an SSD later would likely more than close this performance gap. Of course, upgrading the higher-end 13-Inch model after the fact would make it faster still.
If performance, graphics performance, and future upgrades are all important -- but price and relative size are less so -- a 15" MacBook Pro model would be perfect. For those interested in the fastest option among these models -- particularly for graphics performance -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch (or even the custom configured MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15-Inch) are ideal. Those who want a good compromise between price and performance should instead consider the entry-level 15-Inch model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15-Inch -- as it provides roughly 10% less overall performance but cost 22% less than the higher-end model when new. Likewise, it only cost 20% more than the higher-end 13-Inch model, but provides roughly 39% more performance.
Ultimately, only you can decide which "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro is best for your needs, but their ease-of-upgrades makes them a good choice for long-term "legacy" use.
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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