Apple MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13" Retina 2012 Specs

Identifiers: Retina Late 2012 - MD212LL/A* - MacBookPro10,2 - A1425 - 2557

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Following in the footsteps of the 15-Inch "MacBook Pro with Retina Display" models, the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro line packs a beautiful high-resolution LED-backlit 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) "retina" display in a case that weighs just a bit more than 3.5 pounds (1.62 kg).

Unfortunately, also like the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, the 13-Inch models use an essentially "sealed" design with RAM that is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase (and can not be upgraded even at the time of purchase), storage that is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, and a battery that is not intended to be replaced by end-users, either.

This specific model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch (Late 2012 Retina Display) features a 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" 2.5 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (3210M), with dual independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded at all), 128 GB or 256 GB of flash storage standard (128 GB only starting February 13, 2013), an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system, as well as an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam. It does not have an internal optical drive.

Connectivity includes 3-stream AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two "Thunderbolt" ports, an HDMI port, an audio in/out port, and an SDXC card slot. It does not have Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire "800," although adapters are available at extra cost.

In addition, this model has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, a "MagSafe 2" power adapter, and an internal, sealed battery that provides an Apple estimated 7 hours of battery life.

Also see:

• What are all the differences between the 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models?
• What are all the differences between the 13-Inch "Late 2012" Retina Display MacBook Pro models and the regular 13-Inch "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro and MacBook Air?

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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:

October 23, 2012

Discontinued Date:

October 22, 2013*

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. *On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the price of the entry-level MD212LL/A configuration with a 128 GB SSD to US$1499 and discontinued the higher-end MD213LL/A configuration with a 256 GB SSD (although the entry level model still could be custom configured with a 256 GB SSD for an additional US$200). This model was discontinued entirely on October 22, 2013. Also see: All Macs introduced in 2012.

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):

6624

Geekbench 2 (64):

7210

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 MacBookPro10,2 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):

2488

Geekbench 3 (32):

5045

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 MacBookPro10,2 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):

2747

Geekbench 3 (64):

5654

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 MacBookPro10,2 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):

2957

Geekbench 4 (MC):

5586

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 MacBookPro10,2 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):

577

Geekbench 5 (MC):

1255

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 MacBookPro10,2 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:

2.5 GHz

Processor Type:

Core i5 (I5-3210M)

Details:

This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i5 "Ivy Bridge" (I5-3210M) processor which includes two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 3 MB of level 3 cache, and has an integrated memory controller (dual channel). This system also supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" -- which "automatically increases the speed of the active cores" to improve performance when needed (up to 3.1 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize four total "cores" or "threads" (two real and two virtual). Also see: How fast are the 13-Inch Retina Display "Late 2012" MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, 13-Inch non-Retina Display MacBook Pro, and 13-Inch MacBook Air "Mid-2012" models?

Turbo Boost:

3.1 GHz

Custom Speeds:

2.9 GHz (Core i7)

Details:

This model also could be custom configured with a 2.9 GHz Core i7 (I7-3520M) for an extra US$200. This custom processor has a 4 MB level 3 cache and supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" up to 3.6 GHz as well as "Hyper Threading" with four virtual cores or "threads." As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model. Also see: How much faster is the 13-Inch Retina Display "Late 2012" MacBook Pro custom configured with a faster processor than the stock models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost?

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

Details:

Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the Retina Display-equipped MacBook Pro models?

System Bus Speed:

5 GT/s*

Cache Bus Speed:

2.5 GHz (Built-in)

Details:

*This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel reports that it runs at 5 GT/s.

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

Details:

N/A

L1 Cache:

32k/32k x2

L2/L3 Cache:

256k x2, 3 MB*

Details:

*Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 3 MB of shared level 3 cache.

RAM Type:

DDR3L SDRAM*

Min. RAM Speed:

1600 MHz

Details:

*Ships standard with 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM onboard.

Standard RAM:

8 GB*

Maximum RAM:

8 GB*

Details:

*8 GB of RAM is onboard. RAM cannot be upgraded later. Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

8 GB*

RAM Slots:

None

Details:

*There are no RAM slots. 8 GB of RAM is onboard. It cannot be upgraded.

Video Card:

HD Graphics 4000

VRAM Type:

Integrated

Details:

This model has an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system.

Standard VRAM:

768 MB*

Maximum VRAM:

768 MB*

Details:

*Apple and Intel do not report the minimum memory usage for the Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor. However, OS X reports 768 MB of RAM is used for video.

Built-in Display:

13.3" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

This model has a 13.3" color widescreen LED-backlit display with IPS technology with a 2560 by 1600 native resolution at 227 ppi (178-degree viewing angle). It also supports scaled resolutions of 1680 by 1050, 1440 by 900, and 1024 by 640. Also see: How can you "force" or "hack" the Retina Display MacBook Pro models to run at the native resolution or otherwise fit more on screen than by default? In the US, site sponsor AppleParts.io offers mail-in repair services, as well as parts for do-it-yourself repair for this this MacBook Pro. 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 (x2*)

Details:

*This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 2560x1600 on two external displays via Thunderbolt. Alternately, it can support a single display up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt and a single display up to 1920x1200 via HDMI. Although it can theoretically power all three external displays, as confirmed by a helpful reader, it runs too hot with three displays connected. Also see: How many external displays can the Retina Display MacBook Pro models support? What is the maximum supported resolution of each? Are adapters required?

Standard Storage:

128, 256 GB SSD

Std. Storage Speed:

N/A

Details:

This model has 128 GB (MD212LL/A) or 256 GB (MD213LL/A) of flash storage rather than a hard drive. Originally, the MD212LL/A configuration also could be equipped with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 768 GB of flash storage for an extra US$300, US$800, or US$1300, respectively. On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the prices of these three SSD options to US$200, US$500, and US$900, respectively. The MD213LL/A configuration, which was discontinued February 13, 2013, originally could be equipped, again, at the time of purchase, with 512 GB or 768 GB of flash storage for an extra US$500 or US$1000. Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the SSD after purchase, but it is quite possible. Also see: How do you upgrade or replace the storage in the 13-Inch Retina Display "Late 2012" MacBook Pro models? Is it the same storage and process as the 15-Inch Retina Display "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro? Is it possible? 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:

Proprietary (7 mm*)

Storage Interface:

Proprietary* (6 Gb/s)

Details:

*Site sponsor OWC has determined that their SSD for the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro also will work in the 13-Inch Retina Display models and a 2.5" SSD that is 7 mm in height or smaller may work if equipped with a custom cable, too.

Standard Optical:

None*

Standard Disk:

None

Details:

*This MacBook Pro does not have an internal optical drive. Site sponsor Adorama offers the external Apple USB SuperDrive for US$79. It writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, reads DVD at 8X, writes CD-R at 24X, writes CD-RW at 16X, and reads CD at 24X. Site sponsor Other World Computing also has a variety of compact external optical drive options that may be of interest, including some with Blu-ray capability. Also see: What are the full capabilities of the external SuperDrive available for this MacBook Pro? Can it be used with other Macs?

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

None*

Details:

*This model does not have an internal Ethernet port. However, an Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet adapter is available.

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n (3-Stream)

Standard Bluetooth:

4.0

Details:

AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 4.0 standard. Also see: What is 802.11n? How is it different from 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a?

USB Ports:

2 (3.0)

Firewire Ports:

None

Details:

Two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5 Gbps). It does not have a Firewire port although an Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter is available.

Expansion Slots:

SDXC Card Slot

Expansion Bays:

None

Details:

This model has an SDXC card 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: Which SD Card storage solution is best for the Retina Display MacBook Pro? Which models are compatible? Is this type of storage safe?

Incl. Keyboard:

Full-size

Incl. Input:

Trackpad (Inertial)

Details:

Apple reports that the backlit integrated keyboard has "78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys (inverted "T" arrangement) with ambient light sensor." The glass multi-touch trackpad supports "inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, three-finger swipe, four-finger swipe, tap, double-tap, and drag capabilities".

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

13" MacBook Pro (Retina)

Details:

This MacBook Pro uses a thin black and silver "unibody" case design milled from a single piece of aluminum with a "catchless" magnetic latch.

Apple Order No:

MD212LL/A*

Apple Subfamily:

Retina Late 2012

Details:

*MD212LL/A refers to the configuration with 128 GB of flash storage and MD213LL/A refers to the configuration with 256 GB of flash storage. The MD213LL/A standard configuration was discontinued February 13, 2013.

Apple Model No:

A1425 (EMC 2557)

Model ID:

MacBookPro10,2

Details:

Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model. Also see: All Macs with the A1425 Model Number, the 2557 EMC Number, and the MacBookPro10,2 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:

74 W h Li-Poly

Battery Life:

7 Hours

Details:

Apple reports that this model has a "74-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" that provides "up to 7 hours of wireless web" use. It cannot be upgraded by an end-user. Also see: How do you replace the battery in the 13-Inch Retina Display "Late 2012" MacBook Pro? Is it more or less difficult than the 15-Inch Retina Display "Mid-2012" models? Is it possible? 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 10.8.2 (12C2034)

Maximum MacOS:

X 10.15.x*

Details:

*This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion." OS X 10.9 "Mavericks", and OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" as well as OS X 10.11 "El Capitan." It is capable of running macOS Sierra (10.12) as well, although it does not support the Auto Unlock feature. This model is capable of running macOS High Sierra (10.13), and it supports HEVC (High-Efficiency Video Coding), but it does not support hardware accelerated HEVC. This model is compatible with the final version of macOS Mojave (10.14) and the final version of macOS Catalina (10.15), as well. It does not support macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) or later versions of the macOS. Also see: Which Macs are compatible with macOS Catalina (10.15)? What are the system requirements? What are the major new features? Has anything been removed from previous versions of the macOS?

Minimum Windows:

7 (64-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

10 (64-Bit)*

Details:

*Apple's Boot Camp 5 supports the 64-bit version of Windows 7 and Windows 8 and Boot Camp 6 supports the 64-bit version of Window 10. Earlier versions of Windows are not supported.

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:

0.75 x 12.35 x 8.62

Avg. Weight:

3.57 lbs (1.62 kg)

Details:

In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (1.9 cm, 31.4 cm, 21.9 cm).

Original Price (US):

US$1699, US$1999

Est. Current Retail:

US$150-US$250

Details:

This model originally sold with either 128 GB of flash storage (MD212LL/A) for US$1699 or 256 GB of flash storage (MD213LL/A) for US$1999. On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the price of the entry-level MD212LL/A to US$1499 and discontinued the MD213LL/A configuration. Photo Credit: Apple, Inc.

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):

2 (Thunderbolt), 1 (HDMI)

Floppy (Ext.):

None

Details:

Thunderbolt is backwards-compatible with Mini DisplayPort-equipped displays as well as adapters that are compatible with Mini DisplayPort (DVI, VGA, dual-link DVI and HDMI). It also can support other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard, which provides a maximum theoretical 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions. Also see: How many external displays can the Retina Display MacBook Pro models support? What is the maximum supported resolution of each? Are adapters required?

ADB:

None

SCSI:

None

Details:

N/A

Serial (Standard):

None

Serial (Geoport):

None

Details:

N/A

USB:

2 (3.0)

Firewire:

None

Details:

Two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5 Gbps). It does not have a Firewire port although an Apple Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter is available.

Modem:

None

Ethernet:

None

Details:

No internal modem or Ethernet, although an Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet adapter is available. AirPort Extreme (802.11n) and Bluetooth 4.0 are standard.

S-Video Input:

None

S-Video Output:

None

Details:

N/A

Microphone:

2 (Internal)

Sound In:

1

Details:

Dual internal microphones on the left hand side of the notebook. Has a single "headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)" port. Supports Apple iPhone headset with remote and microphone.

Sound Out:

1

Headphone:

1

Details:

Has a single "headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)" port.

Security (Lock):

None

Joystick (PC):

None

Details:

N/A

Power:

N/A

Power Adapter:

1

Details:

100V-240V AC, 60W "MagSafe 2" power adapter.

Global Original Prices

Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13" Retina 2012 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$1699, C$1999

Brazil:

R$6.999, R$8.299

Mexico:

MXN $28,999, $33,999

United States:

US$1699, US$1999

Original Prices - Europe

Austria:

€1749, €2049

Belgium:

€1779, €2079

Denmark:

DKK 13,699, 15,999

Finland:

€1799, €2129

France:

€1749, €2049

Germany:

€1749, €2049

Ireland:

€1799, €2129

Italy:

€1779, €2079

Luxembourg:

€1690,79, €1975,91

Netherlands:

€1779, €2079

Norway:

NOK 13.990, 16.490

Portugal:

€1799, €2129

Spain:

€1779, €2079

Sweden:

SEK 16.495, 19.495

Switzerland:

CHF 1'929, 2'279

United Kingdom:

£1449, £1699

Original Prices - Asia

China:

RMB 12,488, 14,988

Hong Kong:

HK$12,988, HK$15,488

India:

Rs 81,900

Indonesia:

Rp 17,999,000, 20,999,000

Japan:

¥144,800, ¥168,800

Korea:

KRW 2,270,000, 2,670,000

Malaysia:

RM 5,299, 6,199

The Philippines:

PHP 82,990, 97,990

Singapore:

S$2,388, S$2,788

Taiwan:

NT$53,900, NT$63,900

Thailand:

THB 56,900, 66,900

Vietnam:

VND 39,999,000, 46,999,000

Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand

Australia:

A$1899, A$2199

New Zealand:

NZ$2699, NZ$3199

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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