Unibody MacBook Pro Models with Integrated/Dedicated Graphics: EveryMac.com

Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A

Update Published July 27, 2012

All Mac Q&As >> Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A | Also See: All MacBook Pro Specs

To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.

What type of video processor is provided by the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models? Is it upgradable? Which models have "dedicated" and "integrated" video memory?

When first unveiled as the "Late 2008/Unibody" MacBook Pro line, dual graphics processors -- one with "integrated" memory (which "shares" memory with the system and provides slower performance but better battery life) and another with "dedicated" video memory (for maximum performance) -- were one of the major factors that distinguished the MacBook "Pro" from the "non-Pro" line.

Unibody MacBook Pro Models
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

Subsequent models used a "Unibody" case design, but entry-level to mid-level models often only have had integrated graphics. Regardless of video processor type, it cannot be upgraded in any "Unibody" MacBook Pro models.

Autoswitching & Non-Autoswitching Models

The MacBook Pro "Mid-2009" and earlier models cannot automatically switch between graphics processors depending on need. These models require one to log out and log back in to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics.

The "Mid-2010" and later MacBook Pro lines automatically switch between the two graphic systems depending on need.

For example, if one is typing a document or listening to music, then the system uses the integrated graphics to conserve battery life and it only kicks the dedicated graphics card into gear when it is needed for graphics intensive tasks such as gaming or 3D animation (any application that uses OpenGL or Core Graphics among other technologies).

Identification Help

If you need help identifying a "Unibody" MacBook Pro, they all share model numbers, unfortunately. EMC numbers are not externally listed, either. As a result, they only can be externally differentiated by the serial number courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.

In software, each model also can be uniquely identified via model identifier and one or more secondary identifiers (like processor speed and/or processor type). For example, the 15-Inch "Late 2008" MacBook Pro models can be identified by the MacBookPro5,1 model identifier. The 15-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models can be identified by the MacBookPro9,1 model identifier.

Video Processor Chart

Details on integrated and dedicated video systems for the stock configurations of the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models are summarized below:

MacBook Pro "Unibody"	Video Processors
"Core 2 Duo" 2.4 15" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 17" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 15" (Late 2008)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.26 13" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M*†
"Core 2 Duo" 2.53 13" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M*†
"Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M*†
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 15" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.8 15" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.8 17" (Mid-2009)	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9400M* 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
"Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13" (Mid-2010)†	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 320M*
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66 13" (Mid-2010)†	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce 320M*
"Core i5" 2.4 15" (Mid-2010)§	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256 MB Intel HD Graphics*
"Core i5" 2.53 15" (Mid-2010)§	256 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256 MB Intel HD Graphics*
"Core i7" 2.66 15" (Mid-2010)§	512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256 MB Intel HD Graphics*
"Core i5" 2.53 17" (Mid-2010)§	512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256 MB Intel HD Graphics*
"Core i5" 2.3 13" (Early 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.7 13" (Early 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.0 15" (Early 2011)§	256 MB AMD Radeon HD 6490M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.2 15" (Early 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6750M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.2 17" (Early 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6750M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i5" 2.4 13" (Late 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.8 13" (Late 2011)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.2 15" (Late 2011)§	512 MB AMD Radeon HD 6750M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.4 15" (Late 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i7" 2.4 17" (Late 2011)§	1 GB AMD Radeon HD 6770M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 3000*
"Core i5" 2.5 13" (Mid-2012)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 4000*
"Core i7" 2.9 13" (Mid-2012)†	384 MB Intel HD Graphics 4000*
"Core i7" 2.3 15" (Mid-2012)§	512 MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 4000*
"Core i7" 2.6 15" (Mid-2012)§	1 GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M 384 MB Intel HD Graphics 4000*

* These video processors are "integrated" and share memory with the system. Memory usage is higher when more memory than default is installed.

† These models only have integrated graphics. Generally speaking, integrated graphics are slower but provide better battery life.

§ These models are capable of automatically switching between graphics processors.

Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices

<< Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A (Main) | Also See: All MacBook Pro Specs

Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.