Apple MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15" Retina 2012 Specs
Identifiers: Retina Mid-2012 - MD831LL/A - MacBookPro10,1 - A1398 - 2512
All MacBook Pro Models | All 2012 Models | Dynamically Compare This Mac to Others
Heralded as the "most advanced Mac ever built," the officially dubbed "MacBook Pro with Retina Display" models combine a beautiful high-resolution LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen 2880x1800 (220 ppi) "retina" display with a thin, sleek case design that weighs a bit less than 4.5 pounds (2.02 kg). Curiously, these systems are not branded on the display bezel like earlier MacBook Pro models.
Somewhat controversially, the Retina Display models also are an essentially "sealed" design with RAM that is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase, storage that is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, and a battery that cannot be replaced readily even by technical users or third-parties, either.
This particular model -- the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15-Inch (Mid-2012 Retina Display) technically is a "configure-to-order" configuration of the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15-Inch (Mid-2012 Retina Display), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding larger level 3 cache), these two models are identical.
The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15-Inch (Mid-2012 Retina Display) features a 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" 2.7 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (3820QM), with four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, an 8 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded after purchase), 256 GB or 512 GB of flash storage (256 GB option available starting August 2, 2012), dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares system memory, 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 Retina Display-equipped "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models?
- What are all the differences between the Retina Display "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models and the regular "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models?
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- Tech Specs
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- Global Original Prices
- Popular Q&As
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.
| Introduction Date: |
June 11, 2012 |
Discontinued Date: |
February 13, 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.
Also see: All Macs introduced in 2012. |
| Processors: |
1 (4 Cores) |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| Geekbench 2 (32): |
12065 |
Geekbench 2 (64): |
13428 |
| 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 MacBookPro10,1 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): |
2982 |
Geekbench 3 (32): |
11334 |
| 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 MacBookPro10,1 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): |
3294 |
Geekbench 3 (64): |
12697 |
| 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 MacBookPro10,1 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): |
3615 |
Geekbench 4 (MC): |
11617 |
| 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 MacBookPro10,1 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): |
734 |
Geekbench 5 (MC): |
2704 |
| 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 MacBookPro10,1 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: |
2.7 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core i7 (I7-3820QM) |
| Details: |
This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i7 "Ivy Bridge" (I7-3820QM) processor which includes four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 8 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 3.7 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize eight total "cores" or "threads" (four real and four virtual).
Also see: How much faster is the Retina Display-equipped "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro custom configured with a faster processor than the stock models? Is the extra performance worth the extra cost? |
| Turbo Boost: |
3.7 GHz |
Custom Speeds: |
N/A |
| 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: |
2.7 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 |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k x4 |
L2/L3 Cache: |
256k x 4, 8 MB* |
| Details: |
*Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 8 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: |
16 GB* |
| Details: |
*8 GB of RAM is onboard. It originally could be upgraded at the time of purchase to 16 GB as a US$200 option, but it cannot be upgraded subsequently.
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 could be upgraded to 16 GB at the time of purchase as a US$200 option, but it cannot be upgraded subsequently. |
| Video Card: |
GeForce GT 650M* |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR5 |
| Details: |
*This system has dual graphics processors -- a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 SDRAM and Intel HD Graphics 4000 with memory shared with the system. The system automatically switches between graphics systems based on use (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).
Also see: Is there a "hack" to switch between graphics processors on the Retina Display-equipped MacBook Pro models manually? |
| Standard VRAM: |
1 GB* |
Maximum VRAM: |
1 GB* |
| Details: |
The NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics processor has 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. The "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor shares memory with the system.
Also see: How fast is the graphics performance of the "Mid-2012" 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models compared to the models replaced? |
| Built-in Display: |
15.4" Widescreen |
Native Resolution: |
2880x1800 |
| Details: |
This model has a 15.4" color widescreen LED-backlit display with IPS technology with a 2880 by 1800 native resolution at 220 ppi (178-degree viewing angle). It also supports scaled resolutions of 1920 by 1200, 1680 by 1050, 1280 by 800, 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: |
512 GB SSD* |
Std. Storage Speed: |
390/440 MB/s** |
| Details: |
*As originally shipped, this model has 512 GB of flash storage rather than a hard drive. Starting on August 2, 2012, it also became possible to custom configure the entry-level 2.3 GHz Retina Display MacBook Pro (MC975LL/A) with the 2.7 GHz "Core i7" processor, and this configuration would have 256 GB of storage unless it also was upgraded via custom configuration.
By custom configuration at the time of purchase, this model also could be upgraded to 768 GB of flash storage for an additional US$500.
**Third-party tests using the Blackmagic benchmark report write speeds of 390 MB/s and read speeds of 440 MB/s.
Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the flash storage after purchase, but it is quite possible.
**As first discovered by site sponsor OWC, the "Mid-2012" Retina Display-equipped line uses a different connector than previous models.
Also see: How do you upgrade or replace the storage in the Retina Display-equipped "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro models? Is it even 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 |
Storage Interface: |
Proprietary* (6 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
*As first discovered by site sponsor OWC, the "Mid-2012" Retina Display-equipped line uses a different connector than previous models. It provides 6 Gb/s of bandwidth (SATA III). |
| 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* |
| 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)."
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: |
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: |
MD831LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Retina Mid-2012 |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1398 (EMC 2512) |
Model ID: |
MacBookPro10,1 |
| Details: |
Please note that these identifiers refer to more than one model.
Also see: All Macs with the A1398 Model Number, the 2512 EMC Number, and the MacBookPro10,1 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: |
95 W h Li-Poly |
Battery Life: |
7 Hours |
| Details: |
Apple reports that this model has a "95-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 Retina Display-equipped "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro? Is it even 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 10.7.4 (11E2068) |
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 (32-Bit)* |
Maximum Windows: |
10 (64-Bit)* |
| Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp 4 supports the 32-bit of Windows 7, Boot Camp 5 supports the 64-bit versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8, and Boot Camp 6 supports the 64-bit version of Windows 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: |
0.71 x 14.13 x 9.73 |
Avg. Weight: |
4.46 lbs (2.02 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (1.8 cm, 35.89 cm, 24.71 cm). |
| Original Price (US): |
US$3049* |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$200-US$300 |
| Details: |
*This is the original price for the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.6 15" Retina custom configured with the faster 2.7 GHz processor. On August 2, 2012, Apple also made it possible to custom configure the entry-level MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" Retina with this custom processor and it only cost US$2549 (but with 256 GB of storage rather than 512 GB).
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. |
Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 15" 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$3099 |
Brazil: |
R$13.474 |
| Mexico: |
MXN $51,999 |
United States: |
US$3049* |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€3149 |
Belgium: |
€3179 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 24,499 |
Finland: |
€3229 |
| France: |
€3149 |
Germany: |
€3149 |
| Ireland: |
€3229 |
Italy: |
€3199 |
| Luxembourg: |
€3021,36 |
Netherlands: |
€3149 |
| Norway: |
NOK 24.490 |
Portugal: |
€3229 |
| Spain: |
€3149 |
Sweden: |
SEK 29.445 |
| Switzerland: |
CHF 3'429 |
United Kingdom: |
£2539 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 20,988 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$23,428 |
| India: |
N/A |
Indonesia: |
N/A |
| Japan: |
¥260,200 |
Korea: |
KRW 4,026,500 |
| Malaysia: |
RM 9,549 |
The Philippines: |
PHP 150,490 |
| Singapore: |
S$4,138 |
Taiwan: |
NT$98,050 |
| Thailand: |
THB 103,100 |
Vietnam: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$3459 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$4899 |
If you have additional original prices for this model, please get in touch. Thank you.
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Pro models follow.
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2 (Thunderbolt), 1 (HDMI) 
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None
2 (3.0)
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2 (Internal)
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1
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