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Introduction Date:

June 11, 2012

Discontinued Date:

October 22, 2013*

Processors:

1 (4 Cores)

Architecture:

64-Bit

Geekbench 2 (32):

11911

Geekbench 2 (64):

13141

Geekbench 3 (32):

2936

Geekbench 3 (32):

11325

Geekbench 3 (64):

3257

Geekbench 3 (64):

12675

Processor Speed:

2.6 GHz

Processor Type:

Core i7 (I7-3720QM)

Details:

This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i7 "Ivy Bridge" (I7-3720QM) processor which includes four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip. Each core has a dedicated 256k level 2 cache, shares 6 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 3.6 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 fast are the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models each replaced?

Turbo Boost:

3.6 GHz

Custom Speeds:

2.7 GHz

Processor Upgrade:

Soldered

FPU:

Integrated

System Bus Speed:

5 GT/s*

Cache Bus Speed:

2.6 GHz (Built-in)

ROM/Firmware Type:

EFI

EFI Architecture:

64-Bit

L1 Cache:

32k/32k x4

L2/L3 Cache:

256k x 4, 6 MB*

RAM Type:

PC3-12800 DDR3L

Min. RAM Speed:

1600 MHz

Details:

Supports 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L SDRAM SO-DIMMs (204-pin).

Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models? How much RAM of what type do they support?

Standard RAM:

8 GB*

Maximum RAM:

16 GB**

Details:

*As originally shipped, this model had 8 GB of RAM standard. Starting February 13, 2013, as a custom configuration of the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" Mid-2012 (MD103LL/A), it could have only 4 GB of RAM. RAM is installed as two matching modules, no slots are free.

**Apple officially supports a maximum of 8 GB of RAM, but third-parties have determined that this model actually is capable of using up to 16 GB of RAM with two 8 GB memory modules.

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 Australia, site sponsor RamCity sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook Pro.

In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg sells memory and other upgrades for this MacBook Pro.

Also see: Actual Max RAM of All G3 & Later Macs.

Motherboard RAM:

None

RAM Slots:

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: 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:

1 GB*

Maximum VRAM:

1 GB*

Built-in Display:

15.4" Widescreen

Native Resolution:

1440x900

Details:

By default, this model has a 15.4" color widescreen LED-backlit TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1440 by 900 native resolution. However, it also is available via custom configuration with a "high-resolution glossy" 1680x1050 display and a "high-resolution antiglare" 1680x1050 display each for an additional US$100.

In addition to the native resolution, Apple reports that the default display 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."

Site sponsor Shenzhen Parts sells quality, factory-direct parts with worldwide shipping and bulk discounts for repair shops. Replacement parts include displays, keyboards, trackpads, speakers, cameras, and more for this MacBook Pro.

2nd Display Support:

Dual/Mirroring

2nd Max. Resolution:

2560x1600

Details:

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

Also see: Are there any adapters or "hacks" that make it possible to connect a second external display to a MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air model?

Standard Storage:

750 GB* HDD

Std. Storage Speed:

5400 RPM

Details:

*As originally shipped, this model was configured with a 750 GB hard drive. Starting February 13, 2013, as a custom configuration of the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.3 15" Mid-2012 (MD103LL/A), it could have just a 500 GB hard drive.

As originally shipped, this model could be equipped with a 750 GB 7200 RPM hard drive for an additional US$50, a 1 TB hard drive or 128 GB SSD for an additional US$100, a 256 GB SSD for an additional US$400, or a 512 GB SSD for an additional US$900.

Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive or SSD in the "Mid-2012" 13-Inch and 15-Inch MacBook Pro models? What type of storage do these models support?

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro.

In the UK, site sponsor Flexx sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro.

In Australia, site sponsor RamCity sells storage upgrades for this MacBook Pro.

In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg 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 (6 Gb/s)

Standard Optical:

8X DL "SuperDrive"

Standard Disk:

None

Standard Modem:

None

Standard Ethernet:

10/100/1000Base-T

Details:

N/A

Standard AirPort:

802.11a/b/g/n (450 Mbit*)

Standard Bluetooth:

4.0

USB Ports:

2 (3.0)

Firewire Ports:

1 (800)

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 docking stations, adapters, input devices, cases, and more for this MacBook Pro.

In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit offers an extensive selection of external expansion options and accessories like docks, stands, chargers, cases, security products, 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)

Case Type:

Notebook

Form Factor:

MacBook Pro (Unibody)

Apple Order No:

MD104LL/A

Apple Subfamily:

Mid-2012 15"

Apple Model No:

A1286 (EMC 2556*)

Model ID:

MacBookPro9,1

Details:

*Please note that these identifiers 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 2556* EMC Number, and the MacBookPro9,1 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:

77.5 W h Li-Poly

Battery Life:

7 Hours

Details:

Apple reports that this model has a "77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" that provides "up to 7 hours of wireless web" use.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells quality batteries for this MacBook Pro.

In Australia, site sponsor Macfixit is a local distributor of OWC batteries for this MacBook Pro.

In Southeast Asia, site sponsor SimplyMac.sg sells OWC batteries for this MacBook Pro.

Pre-Installed MacOS:

X 10.7.3 (11D2097)

Maximum MacOS:

Current

Minimum Windows:

7 (32-Bit)*

Maximum Windows:

10 (64-Bit)*

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?

Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Mac OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.

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:

5.6 lbs (2.56 kg)

Original Price (US):

US$2199*

Est. Current Retail:

US$1100-US$1500