Apple MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" Early 2011 Specs
Identifiers: Early 2011 15" - MC723LL/A - MacBookPro8,2 - A1286 - 2353-1*
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The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15-Inch (Early 2011/Thunderbolt) features a 32 nm "Sandy Bridge" 2.2 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (2720QM), with four independent processor "cores" on a single silicon chip, a 6 MB shared level 3 cache, 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-10600) installed in pairs (two 2 GB modules), a 750 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive", dual graphics processors -- an AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor that shares 384 MB of memory with the system -- and an integrated FaceTime HD webcam.
The standard configuration of this model has an LED-backlit 15.4" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900 native resolution), but it also was available via custom configuration with a "high-resolution glossy" 1680x1050 display and a "high-resolution antiglare" 1680x1050 display for an additional US$100 and US$150, respectively.
Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a Firewire "800" port, two USB 2.0 ports, separate audio in and out ports, an SDXC card slot, and a new "Thunderbolt" port that is backwards compatible with Mini DisplayPort and, likewise, supports an external display at 2560x1600 and passes an audio signal. Thunderbolt also supports other peripherals that use the Thunderbolt standard which provides up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.
This model uses a "Unibody" aluminum case design -- milled from a single piece of aluminum -- and has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery design that provides an Apple estimated 7 hours of battery life.
Compared to its predecessor, this model has a very similar external enclosure, apart from a higher-resolution webcam and the aforementioned Thunderbolt port. Internally, however, it has a significantly faster architecture, faster RAM, and improved graphics.
Also see:
- What are the differences between the "Early 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models?
- What are the differences between the "Early 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models and the "Mid-2010" MacBook Pro models that they replaced?
Buy This Mac -- and all other new & used Macs -- at site sponsor PowerMax.
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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: |
February 24, 2011 |
Discontinued Date: |
October 24, 2011 |
| 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 2011. |
| Processors: |
1 (4 Cores) |
Geekbench: |
9991/10823* |
| 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 MacBookPro8,2 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: |
2.2 GHz |
Processor Type: |
Core i7 (I7-2720QM) |
| Details: |
This model is powered by a "Quad-Core" 32 nm, 64-bit Intel Mobile Core i7 "Sandy Bridge" (I7-2720QM) 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 3.3 GHz for this model) -- and "Hyper Threading" -- which allows the system to recognize eight "virtual cores" or "threads."
Also see: How fast are the "Early 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models compared to one another? How fast are they compared to the models each replaced? |
| Custom Speeds: |
2.3 GHz |
Architecture: |
64-Bit |
| Details: |
This model additionally could be custom configured with a 2.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-2820QM) for an extra US$250. This custom processor has an 8 MB level 3 cache and supports "Turbo Boost 2.0" up to 3.4 GHz as well as "Hyper Threading" with eight virtual cores or "threads."
As requested by readers, EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model. |
| Processor Upgrade: |
Soldered |
FPU: |
Integrated |
| Details: |
Also see: Can you upgrade the processor in the "Unibody" MacBook Pro? |
| System Bus Speed: |
5 GT/s* |
Cache Bus Speed: |
2.2 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, 6 MB* |
| Details: |
*Each core has its own dedicated 256k level 2 cache and the system has 6 MB of shared level 3 cache. If configured with the optional 2.3 GHz Core i7 (I7-2820QM) processor, this includes an 8 MB level 3 cache rather than a 6 MB one. |
| RAM Type: |
PC3-10600 DDR3 |
Min. RAM Speed: |
1333 MHz |
| Details: |
Supports 1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SDRAM.
Also see: How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Early 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models? How much RAM of what type do they support? |
| Standard RAM: |
4 GB |
Maximum RAM: |
16 GB* |
| Motherboard RAM: |
None |
RAM Slots: |
2 |
| Video Card: |
Radeon HD 6750M* |
VRAM Type: |
GDDR5 |
| Details: |
*This system has dual graphics processors -- an AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor with 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 SDRAM and Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory. 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* |
| Details: |
The AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics processor has 1 GB of dedicated GDDR5 memory. The Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor uses 384 MB of memory, but this is shared with system memory. Apple also reports that when using Intel HD Graphics, the "memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 384 MB". |
| 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 was available via custom configuration with a "high-resolution glossy" 1680x1050 display and a "high-resolution antiglare" 1680x1050 display for an additional US$100 and US$150, respectively.
In addition to the native resolution, 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.
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 Hard Drive: |
750 GB (5400 RPM) |
Int. HD Interface: |
Serial ATA (6 Gb/s) |
| Details: |
By custom configuration, this model could be equipped with a 500 GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive for the same price. It also could be configured with a 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB SSD for an additional US$100, US$500, or US$1100, respectively.
Also see: How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Early 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro 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 |
| Standard AirPort: |
802.11a/b/g/n (450 Mbit*) |
Standard Bluetooth: |
2.1+EDR |
| Details: |
AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR standard. *This model unofficially supports 450 Mbit/sec 802.11n Wi-Fi using MIMO.
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: |
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" 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 (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: |
MC723LL/A |
Apple Subfamily: |
Early 2011 15" |
| Details: |
The Apple order number should be unique to this system. |
| Apple Model No: |
A1286 (EMC 2353-1*) |
Model ID: |
MacBookPro8,2 |
| 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 2353-1* EMC Number, and the MacBookPro8,2 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: |
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.
Also see: What is the "real-world" battery life of the "Early 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models? How does the battery life of each compare to the model each replaced? |
| Pre-Installed MacOS: |
X 10.6.6 (10J3210) |
Maximum MacOS: |
Current |
| Details: |
This system fully supports the current version of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion." Please note that OS X Lion and OS X 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: |
7 (32-Bit)* |
Maximum Windows: |
7 (64-Bit)* |
| Details: |
*Apple's Boot Camp provided with Mac OS X 10.6.6, which was pre-installed on this Mac, does not formally support versions of Windows earlier than Windows 7.
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: |
5.6 lbs (2.54 kg) |
| Details: |
In inches while closed - height by width by depth, (2.41 cm, 36.4 cm, 24.9 cm). |
| Original Price (US): |
US$2199 |
Est. Current Retail: |
US$1300-US$1450 |
| 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, Inc. |
Global original prices for the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.2 15" Early 2011 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$2249 |
United States: |
US$2199 |
Original Prices - Europe
| Austria: |
€2149 |
Belgium: |
€2199 |
| Denmark: |
DKK 16,499 |
Finland: |
€2199 |
| France: |
€2149 |
Germany: |
€2149 |
| Ireland: |
€2199 |
Italy: |
€2149 |
| Netherlands: |
€2149 |
Norway: |
NOK 17.990 |
| Portugal: |
€2199 |
Spain: |
€2149 |
| Sweden: |
SEK 19.995 |
Switzerland: |
CHF 2'549 |
Original Prices - Asia
| China: |
RMB 16,988 |
Hong Kong: |
HK$16,788 |
| Japan: |
¥189,800 |
Singapore: |
S$2,988 |
Original Prices - Australia & New Zealand
| Australia: |
A$2499 |
New Zealand: |
NZ$3799 |
Ten of the most popular Q&As about the MacBook Pro models follow.
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1 (Thunderbolt) 
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