Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 15" (SD) Specs

Identifiers: Mid-2009 15" - MB986LL/A - MacBookPro5,3 - A1286 - 2325*

All MacBook Pro Models | All 2009 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others

The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 15" (SD - Mid-2009) features a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.8 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (T9600), with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache, a 1066 MHz frontside bus, 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) installed in pairs (two 2 GB modules), a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory, integrated iSight, and an LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution).

Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a Firewire "800" port, two USB 2.0 ports, optical digital/analog audio in/out, a "Mini DisplayPort" that supports an external display at 2560x1600, and an SD card slot. It lacks an ExpressCard/34 slot.

This model uses essentially the same "Unibody" case design -- one milled from a single block of aluminum -- as the previous 15-Inch MacBook Pro models that the "Mid-2009" line replaced, and it has the same backlit keyboard and "no button" glass "multi-touch" trackpad with support for "four finger" gestures and programmable "zones", and a very similar internal architecture, but there are notable differences as well. The "Mid-2009" 15-Inch MacBook Pro models have an improved display (said to have "60% greater color gamut"), and have a non-swappable battery design that provides 7 hours of battery life (up from 5 hours). They also add the aforementioned SD card slot, but drop the previously standard ExpressCard/34 slot.

Also see:

• What are the differences between the "Mid-2009" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models?
• What are the differences between the "SD - Mid-2009" 15-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models and the "Late 2008/Unibody" MacBook Pro notebooks that they replaced?

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• Tech Specs
• Ports
• Global Original Prices
• Popular Q&As

Tech Specs

Click on a category for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. Asterisks (*) reference data in details fields.

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Introduction Date:

June 8, 2009

Discontinued Date:

April 13, 2010

Details:

The "Introduction Date" refers to the date a model was introduced via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either was replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2009.

Processors:

1 (2 Cores)

Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

Also see: All models with a 64-Bit processor courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Sort.

Geekbench 2 (32):

3827

Geekbench 2 (64):

4216

Details:

Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively. These numbers reflect an average of user provided 32-bit and 64-bit results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit and 64-bit Geekbench 2 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,3 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 2 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (32):

1504

Geekbench 3 (32):

2640

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 32-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,3 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 3 (64):

1625

Geekbench 3 (64):

2854

Details:

These Geekbench 3 benchmarks are in 64-bit mode and are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore Geekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,3 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 4 (SC):

1802

Geekbench 4 (MC):

3041

Details:

These Geekbench 4 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 4 benchmarks are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 4 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,3 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 4 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Geekbench 5 (SC):

357

Geekbench 5 (MC):

613

Details:

These Geekbench 5 benchmarks are are for a single processor core and all processor cores, respectively. All Geekbench 5 benchmarks for the Mac are 64-bit. Both numbers reflect an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. You also might be interested in reviewing all single core and multicore Geekbench 5 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,3 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models. To dynamically compare Geekbench 5 results from different Macs side-by-side, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.

Processor Speed:

2.8 GHz

Processor Type:

Core 2 Duo (T9600)

Details:

*The Intel "Core 2 Duo" 45 nm "Penryn" (T9600) processor includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Also see: How fast are the "Mid-2009" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models each replaced?

Turbo Boost:

N/A

Custom Speeds:

3.06 GHz

Details:

Apple additionally offered this model via custom configuration with a 3.06 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T9900) for an additional US$300. As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the "Unibody" MacBook Pro?

System Bus Speed:

1066 MHz

Cache Bus Speed:

2.8 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

1066 MHz frontside bus.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k/32k

L2/L3 Cache:

6 MB (on chip)

Details:

Includes a 6 MB shared "on chip" level 2 cache that runs at processor speed.

RAM Type:

PC3-8500 DDR3

Min. RAM Speed:

1066 MHz

Details:

Supports 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM. Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Mid-2009" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models? How much RAM of what type do they support?

Standard RAM:

4 GB

Maximum RAM:

8 GB

Details:

4 GB of RAM is installed as two 2 GB modules, no slots free. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory -- as well as other upgrades -- for this MacBook Pro. In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook Pro. In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook Pro. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

2

Details:

Apple recommends that one install RAM in matched pairs for optimum performance.

Video Card:

GeForce 9600M GT*

VRAM Type:

GDDR3

Details:

*This system has dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 SDRAM and a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory. Also see: What type of video processor is provided by the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models? Is it upgradable? Which models have "dedicated" and "integrated" video memory?

Standard VRAM:

512 MB*

Maximum VRAM:

512 MB*

Details:

The NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT has 512 MB of dedicated memory. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M uses 256 MB of memory, but this is shared with system memory. Apple reports that when using the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, the "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 256 MB".

Built-in Display:

15.4" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1440x900

Details:

15.4" color widescreen LED-backlit TFT active-matrix display with a 1440 by 900 native resolution. Apple heralded this display as providing "60% greater color gamut" than the earlier "Unibody" MacBook Pro models that this system replaced. By default, the display is "glossy", but starting on August 11, 2009, Apple also began offering this model configured with an "anti-glare" (matte) display for US$50 more (MC406LL/A). Apple reports that this system also supports "1280 by 800, 1152 by 720, 1024 by 640, and 800 by 500 pixels at 16:10 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio; 1024 by 768, 800 by 600, and 640 by 480 pixels at 4:3 aspect ratio stretched; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio; 720 by 480 pixels at 3:2 aspect ratio stretched." In the UK, site sponsor ALB Repair offers component-level logic board repair, display repair, and other repair services for this MacBook Pro. No fix, no fee! In Spain, site sponsor iRepairs provides affordable repair and data recovery services. In-person and by mail repair services include the display, battery, keyboard, motherboard, and more for this MacBook Pro. In Hong Kong, site sponsor iCertified provides well-reviewed repair services for the display, logic board, battery, water damage, and more, all with a 180-day warranty; free diagnostics and estimates; and optional pickup and delivery for this MacBook Pro.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2560x1600.

Standard Storage:

500 GB HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

By custom configuration, this model could be configured with a 320 GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive for US$50 less or a 500 GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive for US$50 more. It also could be configured with a 128 GB SSD or 256 GB SSD for an additional US$200 or US$650, respectively. Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Mid-2009" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models? What type of hard drive do these models support? Can one replace the hard drive with an SSD? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro. In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro. Also see: SSD Compatibility Guide for All G3 & Later Macs.

Storage Dimensions:

2.5" (9.5 mm)

Storage Interface:

Serial ATA (3 Gb/s)

Details:

This model supports a single SATA II (3 Gb/s) 2.5" hard drive or SSD that is up to 9.5 mm thick.

Standard Optical:

8X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

Apple reports that this slot-loading "SuperDrive" (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) has a maxium write speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R; 4x DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, DVD+RW; 24x CD-R; 10x CD-RW" and a maximum read speed of "8x DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-ROM; 6x DVD-ROM (double layer DVD-9), DVD-R DL (double layer), DVD+R DL (double layer), DVD-RW, and DVD+RW; 24x CD". Site sponsor Other World Computing offers a "Data Doubler" mounting kit that may be of interest. It makes it simple to install a second hard drive or SSD in the optical drive bay of this MacBook Pro.

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

External Apple USB Modem (56.6k v.92) was available for US$49.

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n

Standard Bluetooth:

2.1+EDR

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?

USB Ports:

2 (2.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (800)

Details:

Two 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one 800-Mbps Firewire "800" port.

Expansion Slots:

SD Card Slot

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

This model has an SD card slot. It does not have an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot. No expansion bays are provided. In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a wide variety of external expansion options and accessories, including docks, adapters, cables, input devices, cases, and more for this MacBook Pro. Also see: Are SD Card slot storage expansion options available for the "Unibody" MacBook Pro models? Which are compatible? Is this type of storage a good idea for these models?

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad (4 Finger)

Details:

Apple reports that the integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement)." It does not have an embedded numeric keypad. This keyboard is backlit. The glass "multi-touch" trackpad supports "supports two-finger scrolling, pinch, rotate, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities".

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

MacBook Pro (Unibody)

Details:

By default, this MacBook Pro uses a black and silver "unibody" case design milled from a single piece of aluminum with a "catchless" magnetic latch. However, if configured with an "anti-glare" (matte) display, it has a silver border framing the display rather than a black border.

Apple Order No:

MB986LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Mid-2009 15"

Details:

The Apple order number should be unique to this system.

Apple Model No:

A1286 (EMC 2325*)

Model ID:

MacBookPro5,3

Details:

*Please note that these identifiers commonly refer to more than one model. In this case, please also note that the EMC number is not externally listed on the notebook so it cannot be used readily for identification. Also see: All Macs with the A1286 Model Number, the 2325* EMC Number, and the MacBookPro5,3 Model Identifier. For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refer to EveryMac.com's Mac Identification section.

Battery Type:

73 W h Li-Poly

Battery Life:

7 Hours

Details:

Apple reports that this model has a "73-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" that provides "7 hours of wireless productivity". Also see: What is the "real-world" battery life of the "Mid-2009" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo models? How does the battery life of each compare to the model each replaced? In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells quality batteries for this MacBook Pro. In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells quality batteries for this MacBook Pro.

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.5.7 (9J3050)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.11.6*

Details:

*This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion" as well as OS X 10.9 "Mavericks" except for "Power Nap" and "AirPlay Mirroring" (which also requires an Apple TV 2nd Gen or higher). It also supports the last version of OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" and OS X 10.11 "El Capitan" -- including Mac-to-Mac AirDrop capability -- but no other advanced features are supported. It is not supported running macOS Sierra (10.12) or subsequent versions of the macOS at all. Please note that OS X "Lion" 10.7 and subsequent versions of OS X are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as these operating systems do not support the "Rosetta" environment. To run PowerPC applications on this Mac, it will be necessary to use Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" or earlier. Also see: Which Macs are compatible with OS X El Capitan (10.11)? What are the system requirements? Which Macs support which features?

Minimum Windows:

XP SP2 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

7 (64-Bit)*

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp 4 formally supports the 32-bit version of Windows XP SP2 as well as the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. However, the system does meet Microsoft's minimum requirements for Windows 8 and readers have reported successfully running the 32-Bit and 64-bit versions of this operating system with appropriate drivers.

MacOS 9 Support:

None

Windows Support:

Boot/Virtualization

Details:

Also see: Are there any third-party programs to run Mac OS 9/Classic applications on Intel Macs? For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Windows on Mac Q&A.

Dimensions:

0.95 x 14.35 x 9.82

Avg. Weight:

5.5 lbs (2.49 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.41 cm, 36.4 cm, 24.9 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$2299*

Est. Current Retail:

US$150-US$200

Details:

*This is for the stock configuration with a 2.8 GHz processor. Apple also sold this model via custom configuration with a 3.06 GHz "Core 2 Duo" (T9900) for an additional US$300. Photo Credit: Apple Computer.

Ports

Click on a category for additional details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important. The icons correspond with the icons for each port on the computer.

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Video (Monitor):

1 (Mini DisplayPort)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Supports external display in dual display and mirroring modes. DVI, Dual-Link DVI, and VGA supported by optional Apple adapters (sold separately).

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (2.0)

Firewire:

1 (800)

Details:

Two 480-Mbps USB 2.0 ports, one 800-Mbps Firewire "800" port.

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

1 (RJ-45)

Details:

No internal modem. External Apple USB modem offered for US$49. Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

1 (Internal)

Sound In:

1

Details:

Internal omnidirectional microphone. Optical digital audio input/analog line in (minijack).

Sound Out:

1

Headphone:

1

Details:

Single Optical digital audio output/analog line out (minijack) port doubles as a headphone jack.

Security (Lock):

1

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

1

Details:

100V-240V AC, 60W or 80W "MagSafe" power adapter (2.53 GHz model with integrated graphics is 60W, 2.66 GHz and 2.8 GHz models with dedicated graphics are 80W). Also see: What is the "Magsafe" power connector? How does it work? How was it designed to not cause data loss?

Global Original Prices

Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 15" (SD) in 34 different countries and territories follow; organized alphabetically by region.

For global original prices for Intel Macs in one particular country on a single page, please refer to EveryMac.com's Global Original Prices section.

Original Prices - North & South America

Canada:

C$2599

Brazil:

R$7.799

Mexico:

N/A

United States:

US$2299*

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

€2099

Belgium:

€2149

Denmark:

N/A

Finland:

€2149

France:

€2099

Germany:

€2099

Ireland:

€2149

Italy:

€2099

Luxembourg:

N/A

Netherlands:

€2099

Norway:

NOK 18.990

Portugal:

€2149

Spain:

€2049

Sweden:

SEK 22.995

Switzerland:

CHF 2'799

United Kingdom:

£1699

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 17,998

Hong Kong:

HK$17,688

India:

N/A

Indonesia:

N/A

Japan:

¥248,800

Korea:

N/A

Malaysia:

N/A

The Philippines:

N/A

Singapore:

N/A

Taiwan:

NT$79,900

Thailand:

N/A

Vietnam:

N/A

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$3699

New Zealand:

NZ$3799

If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.

Popular Q&As

Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Pro models follow.

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