MacBook Pro 13" Specs

MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13" Retina 2012

2.5 GHz Core i5 (I5-3210M)

Intro. October 23, 2012

Disc. October 22, 2013*
Order MD212LL/A*
Model A1425 (EMC 2557)
Family Retina Late 2012
ID
MacBookPro10,2
RAM
8 GB* VRAM
768 MB*
Storage
128 GB, 256 GB SSD
Optical
None*
Complete MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13" Retina 2012 Specs

Following in the footsteps of the 15-Inch "MacBook Pro with Retina Display" mode
ls, the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro line packs a beautiful high-resolutio
n LED-backlit 13.3" widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) "retina" display in a case th
at 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 mod
els use an essentially "sealed" design with RAM that is soldered in place and ca
nnot be upgraded after purchase (and can not be upgraded even at the time of pur
chase), storage that is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, and a batter
y 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 D
isplay) 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 a
t all), 128 GB or 256 GB of flash storage standard (128 GB only starting Februar
y 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 do
es not have an internal optical drive.
Connectivity includes 3-stream AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, t
wo USB 3.0 ports, two "Thunderbolt" ports, an HDMI port, an audio in/out port, a
nd an SDXC card slot. It does not have Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire "800," altho
ugh adapters are available at extra cost.
In addition, this model has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" m
ulti-touch trackpad, a "MagSafe 2" power adapter, and an internal, sealed batter
y 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 Ai
r?
Buy This Mac or Trade-in Yours at site sponsor PowerMax. No sales tax.
Sell This Mac for fast cash at site sponsor BuyBackWorld. Instant quote & more.
Upgrade This Mac at site sponsor Other World Computing. Memory, drives & more.
Tech Specs
Ports
Global Original Prices

Popular Q&As
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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 introduce
d via press release. The "Discontinued Date" refers to the date a model either w
as replaced by a subsequent system or production otherwise ended.
*On February 13, 2013, Apple lowered the price of the entry-level MD212LL/A conf
iguration 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 di
scontinued 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 EveryMa
c.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, respectiv
ely. 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 includ
e 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 si
ngle processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect
an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Highe
r numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 32-bit single core and multicore G
eekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro10,2 Model Identifier, w
hich may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 32-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-si
de, 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 si
ngle processor core and all processor cores, respectively. Both numbers reflect
an average of user provided results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Highe
r numbers are better.
You also might be interested in reviewing all 64-bit single core and multicore G
eekbench 3 user submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro10,2 Model Identifier, w
hich may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare 64-bit Geekbench 3 results from different Macs side-by-si
de, see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
Processor Speed:
2.5 GHz
Processor Type:
Core i5 (I5-3210
M)

Details:
This model is powered by a 22 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i5 "I
vy 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 th
e speed of the active cores" to improve performance when needed (up to 3.1 GHz f
or 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 Displ
ay 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 i
7 (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 configurat
ion 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 pe
rformance worth the extra cost?
Processor Upgrade:
Soldered
FPU:
Integrated
Details:
Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the Retina Display-eq
uipped MacBook Pro models?
System Bus Speed:
5 GT/s*
Cache Bus Speed:
2.5 GHz (Built-i
n)
Details:
*This system has a "Direct Media Interface" (DMI) that "connects
between the processor and chipset" in lieu of a traditional system bus. Intel r
eports 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 syst
em 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 up
graded.
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 i
s used for video.
Built-in Display:
13.3" Widescreen
Native Resolution:
2560x160
0
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 vie
wing angle). It also supports scaled resolutions of 1680 by 1050, 1440 by 900, a

nd 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?
2nd Display Support:
Dual/Mirroring*
2nd Max. Resolution:
2560x160
0 (x2*)
Details:
*This model supports a simultaneous maximum resolution up to 256
0x1600 on two external displays via Thunderbolt. Alternately, it can support a s
ingle display up to 2560x1600 via Thunderbolt and a single display up to 1920x12
00 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 s
upport? What is the maximum supported resolution of each? Are adapters required?
Standard Hard Drive:
128 GB, 256 GB SSD
Int. HD Interface:
Propriet
ary* (6 Gb/s)
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 U
S$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, originall
y could be equipped, again, at the time of purchase, with 512 GB or 768 GB of fl
ash storage for an extra US$500 or US$1000.
*Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the SSD after purchase, but it is quit
e possible. Site sponsor OWC has determined that their SSD for the 15-Inch Retin
a 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 ca
ble, too.
Also see: How do you upgrade or replace the storage in the 13-Inch Retina Displa
y "Late 2012" MacBook Pro models? Is it the same storage and process as the 15-I
nch Retina Display "Mid-2012" MacBook Pro? Is it possible?
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells s
torage 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.
Standard Optical:
None* Standard Disk: None
Details:
*This MacBook Pro does not have an internal optical drive. Site
sponsor PowerMax offers the external Apple USB SuperDrive for US$79. It writes D
VD+R DL and DVD-R DL at 4X, DVD-R and DVD+R at 8X, DVD-RW at 6X, DVD+RW at 8X, r
eads 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 optica
l 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 fo
r 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 offered for US$29.
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 802.11

a?
USB Ports:
2 (3.0)
Firewire Ports:
None
Details:
Two USB 3.0 ports (up to 5 Gbps). It does not have a Firewire po
rt 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
.
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" arrange
ment) with ambient light sensor."
The glass multi-touch trackpad supports "inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swip
e, 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 des
ign 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 stor
age 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 Mac
BookPro10,2 Model Identifier.
For more about these identifiers and how to locate them on each Mac, please refe
r 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-polyme
r battery" that provides "up to 7 hours of wireless web" use. It cannot be upgra
ded by an end-user.
Also see: How do you replace the battery in the 13-Inch Retina Display "Late 201
2" MacBook Pro? Is it more or less difficult than the 15-Inch Retina Display "Mi
d-2012" models? Is it possible?
Pre-Installed MacOS:
X 10.8.2 (12C2034)
Maximum MacOS: Current
Details:
This system fully supports the last version of OS X 10.8 "Mounta
in Lion." OS X 10.9 "Mavericks", and OS X 10.10 "Yosemite" as well as the curren
t version of OS X 10.11 "El Capitan."
Also see: Which Macs are compatible with OS X El Capitan (10.11)? What are the s
ystem requirements? Which Macs support which features?
Minimum Windows:
7 (64-Bit)*
Maximum Windows:
10 (64-Bit)*
Details:
*Apple's Boot Camp 5 supports the 64-bit version of Windows 7 an
d Windows 8 and Boot Camp 6 supports the 64-bit version of Window 10. Earlier ve
rsions 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/Cla
ssic applications on Intel Macs?
Site sponsor OHS specializes in heavily upgraded Macs capable of running both Ma
c OS X and Mac OS 9 applications.
For more on running Windows on Intel Macs, please refer to the exhaustive Window
s 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$1000US$1200
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 Fe
bruary 13, 2013, Apple lowered the price of the entry-level MD212LL/A to US$1499
and discontinued the MD213LL/A configuration.