Apple MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (SD) Specs
Identifiers: Mid-2009 15" - MC118LL/A - MacBookPro5,4 - A1286 - 2324*
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The MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (SD - Mid-2009) features a 45 nm "Penryn" 2.53 GHz Intel "Core 2 Duo" processor (P8700), with two independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 3 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 250 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M "graphics processor 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 be sure to note that this entry-level model has integrated graphics.
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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Fix This Mac -- free diagnosis and affordable 24-hour repair at site sponsor Mission Repair.
Click on the underlined category text for related details. The most commonly needed info is "open" by default, but all info is important.
| 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) |
Geekbench: |
3493/3799* |
| Details: |
*These Geekbench 2 benchmarks are in 32-bit and 64-bit modes, respectively.
Geekbench 2 benchmarks reflect results as submitted to the Geekbench website. Higher numbers are better. Individual user-submitted benchmarks can vary, but an average can be useful to get an idea of the relative performance of different Macs. You also might be interested in combing through all Geekbench user-submissions for Macs with the MacBookPro5,4 Model Identifier, which may include multiple models.
To dynamically compare Geekbench results from different Macs side-by-side, please see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison.
|
| Processor Speed: |
2.53 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core 2 Duo (P8700) |
| Details: |
*The Intel "Core 2 Duo" 45 nm "Penryn" (P8700) 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? |
| Custom Speeds: |
N/A |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| 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: |
2.53 GHz (Built-in) |
| Details: |
1066 MHz frontside bus. |
| ROM/Firmware Type: |
EFI |
EFI Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| L1 Cache: |
32k/32k |
L2/L3 Cache: |
3 MB (on chip) |
| Details: |
Includes a 3 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 |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Details: |
Apple recommends that one install RAM in matched pairs for optimum performance. |
| Video Card: |
GeForce 9400M |
VRAM Type: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
This model has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M that shares memory with the system.
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: |
256 MB |
Maximum VRAM: |
256 MB |
| Details: |
Apple reports that "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 "glossy" 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.
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."
Site sponsor Mission Repair offers free diagnosis of MacBook Pro hardware problems and a 24-hour repair service for this MacBook Pro. Display repacement, keyboard replacement, a hard drive upgrade service, and more are provided. |
| 2nd Display Support: |
Dual/Mirroring |
2nd Max. Resolution: |
2560x1600 |
| Details: |
The maximum resolution supported on an external display is 2560x1600. |
| Standard Hard Drive: |
250 GB (5400 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA (3 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
By custom configuration, this model could be configured with a 320 GB or 500 GB 5400 RPM Serial ATA hard drive for an additional US$50 or US$150, respectively, or a 320 GB or 500 GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive for an additional US$100 or US$200. It also could be configured with a 128 GB SSD or 256 GB SSD for an additional US$350 or US$800, 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? |
| 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". |
| 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. |
| 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 " 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: |
MC118LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Mid-2009 15" |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1286 (EMC 2324*) |
Model ID: |
MacBookPro5,4 |
| 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 2324* EMC Number, and the MacBookPro5,4 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? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.5.7 (9J3050) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current* |
| Details: |
This system fully supports the latest version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion," except for the "AirPlay Mirroring" feature (which also requires an Apple TV 2nd Gen or higher). Please note that OS X Lion and Mountain Lion are not capable of running Mac OS X apps originally written for the PowerPC processor as neither supports the "Rosetta" environment. |
| Minimum Windows: |
XP SP2 (32-Bit)* |
Maximum Windows: |
7 (64-Bit)** |
| Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp only supports the 32-Bit version of Windows XP SP2 or higher.
**Apple formally supports both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 on this model. MacOS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" is required to run Windows 7 via Boot Camp.
Also see: Which Intel Macs are capable of booting the 32-Bit and 64-Bit versions of Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7? Which are supported by Apple's Boot Camp? |
| 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: |
5.5 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$1699 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$1000-US$1250 |
| Details: |
Please note that on average the estimated current retail pricing of used systems is updated twice a year (please refer to the date on the bottom of the page for the date last updated).
Photo Credit: Apple Computer. |
Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.53 15" (SD) in 24 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 America
| Canada: |
C$1999 |
United States: |
US$1699 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€1599 |
Belgium: |
€1649 |
| Denmark: |
N/A |
Finland: |
€1649 |
| France: |
€1599 |
Germany: |
€1599 |
| Ireland: |
€1649 |
Italy: |
€1599 |
| Netherlands: |
€1599 |
Norway: |
NOK 14.990 |
| Portugal: |
€1649 |
Spain: |
€1549 |
| Sweden: |
SEK 17.995 |
Switzerland: |
CHF 2'199 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 13,498 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$13,188 |
| Japan: |
¥188,900 |
Singapore: |
N/A |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$2699 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$2899 |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Pro models follow.
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1 (Mini DisplayPort) 
None 
None 
None 
None
None
2 (2.0)
1 (800)
1 (RJ-45)
None
None
1 (Internal)
1
1
1
1
None
N/A
1