Apple has moved the entire MacBook Pro line to Retina Displays, except for the remaining 13″ MacBook Pro. This price tracker follows prices of the non-Retina 15″ MacBook Pro, all of which (unlike Retina models) can have their system memory upgraded.

The Mid 2012 15″ MacBook Pro was the last non-Retina 15″ model. Mid 2012 models include USB 3.0, which has 10x the bandwidth of USB 2.0 – and USB 3.0 drives tend to cost a whole lot less than Thunderbolt drives. The Mid 2012 15-inchers also have Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics.

The base version includes a 2.3 GHz quad-core i7 CPU, 4 GB of system memory, and 500 GB hard drive. The “better” version has a 2.6 GHz CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 750 GB hard drive. Build-to-order options include a 2.7 GHz CPU and a higher resolution 1680 x 1050 display. See our initial analysis of this model in The Mid 2012 MacBook Pro Value Equation.

Retina MacBook Pro deals are listed on a separate page.

Recent Models

In February 2011, Apple moved the 15″ and 17″ MacBook Pro to quad-core CPUs, giving them a lot more computing power than the 2010 dual-core i5 and i7 models. They also gained Apple’s high-speed Thunderbolt port. Battery life is rated at a pretty realistic 7 hours.

In October 2011, Apple began shipping updated versions with slightly faster CPUs, better graphics processors, and more hard drive space. Other than that, the Late 2011 MacBook Pros appear to be identical to the Early 2011 models. Apple offers three solid state drive (SSD) option – 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. There is no longer a FireWire 400 port, but FireWire 800 is backward compatible.

The 2.2 GHz quad-core MacBook Pro includes 4 GB of RAM and a a 500 GB hard drive. The 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz models have 750 GB hard drives. All 2011 models ship with 4 GB of RAM and officially support up to 8 GB, although OWC has found they will work with up to 16 GB. The Early 2011 ones shipped with OS X 10.6.6 Snow Leopard; the Late 2011 with 10.7.2 Lion.

Earlier Models

The original Core Duo models ran hotter than later Core 2 models, support a maximum of 2 GB of RAM, do not support 64-bit mode in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and do not support OS X 10.7 Lion or later. The more efficient Core 2 Duo CPU provides about 7% more processing power at the same CPU speed. Pre-Santa Rosa Core 2 models can handle up to 3 GB of memory. Santa Rosa and later models support up to 6 GB.

All pre-Unibody models support OS X 10.5 Leopard. OS X 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite should run on all 2007 and newer models with sufficient memory (4 GB recommended for 10.9, 8 GB for 10.10).

The April 2010 and later models are listed separately from Core 2 Duo ones, because their Core i CPUs are so much more powerful, and dual- and quad-core models are further divided. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. All models have SuperDrives, AirPort Extreme, and Bluetooth. The best deals are marked in bold type in the full listings below.

• Got a MacBook Pro? Join our MacBook Group or MacBooks Forum.
• Our Tiger Forum is for those using Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger.
• Our Leopard Forum is for those using Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
• Our Snow Leopard Forum is for those using Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Best Used Prices

• 2.0 GHz Core Duo, $299, DV Warehouse
• 2.2 GHz Core 2, $349, DV Warehouse
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, $399, DV Warehouse
• 2.6 GHz Core 2, $554.10, Wegener Media
• 2.4 GHz dual i5, $699, Mac of All Trades
• 2.66 GHz dual i7, $749, DV Warehouse
• 2.2 GHz quad i7, $849, DV Warehouse
• 2.4 GHz quad i7, $1,489, PowerMax
• 2.6 GHz quad i7, $1,499, Mac of All Trades
• 2.7 GHz quad i7, $1,599, Mac of All Trades

Recent Memory Prices (per module except as noted)

• PC5300 (pre-Unibody)
  • all: 512 MB, $11.99; 1 GB, $11.79, 2 GB kit, $19.99
  • Core 2 only: 2 GB, $29.99; 3 GB kit, $36.79, 4 GB kit, $51.99
  • Santa Rosa only: 4 GB module, $107.99; 6 GB kit, $133.99
• 1066 DDR3 (Unibody, pre-2011): 2 GB, $24.99; 4 GB, $46.79; 4 GB kit, $47.99; 6 GB kit, $72.99; 8 GB kit, $87.99
• 1333 DDR3 (2011): 4 GB, $44.99; 8 GB, $88.97; 8 GB kit, $85.99; 12 GB kit, $130.79; 16 GB kit, $172.99
• PC3-12800 (2012): 4 GB, $44.79; 8 GB, $88.99; 8 GB kit, $84.79; 12 GB kit, $129.99; 16 GB kit, $172.99

Best Mac OS X Prices

• Best Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard Deals
• Best Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Deals
• OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion, $19.99 via Mac App Store
• OS X 10.9 Mavericks and 10.10 Yosemite are free downloads from the Mac App Store

Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, extra RAM, etc. Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos.

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

• Core Duo (Early 2006): 1.83-2.16 GHz, OS X 10.4.4, Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 802.11g, no FireWire 800, not compatible with Lion
• Core 2 Duo (Late 2006): 2.16-2.33 GHz, OS X 10.4.8, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 802.11g, has FW800, not compatible with Mountain Lion
• Santa Rosa (Mid 2007): 2.2-2.6 GHz, OS X 10.9, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
• Penryn (Early 2008): 2.5-2.6 GHz, OS X 10.5.2, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
• Unibody (Late 2008): 2.4-2.8 GHz, OS X 10.5.5, GeForce 9600M GT & 9400M graphics, 802.11n
• Unibody (Mid 2009): 2.53-3.06 GHz, OS X 10.5.7, GeForce 9600M GT & 9400M graphics, 802.11n
• Dual i5/i7 (Early 2010): 2.4 GHz dual i5/2.66-2.8 GHz dual i7, OS X 10.6.3, Intel HD Graphics & GeForce GT 330M, 802.11n
• Quad i7/Thunderbolt (Early 2011): 2.0-2.3 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.6.6, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Radeon HD 6490M, 802.11n
• Quad i7/Thunderbolt (Late 2011): 2.2-2.4 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.7.2, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Radeon HD 6490M, 802.11n
• Quad i7/USB 3.0 (Mid 2012): 2.3-2.6 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.7.4, Intel HD Graphics 4000 & GeForce GT 650M, 802.11n

Used 15″ MacBook Pro

Used and store refurbished Macs have a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare.

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

• 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 1/80, $299
• 2.2 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $349
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/120, $399
• 2.53 GHz Unibody, 4/250, $599
• 2.66 GHz dual Core i7, 4/500, $749
• 2.2 GHz quad Core i7, 4/500, $849

ExperCom

Estimated shipping is $13.50.

• 2.2 GHz  quad Core i7, 4/128 SSD, $1,099

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $30. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

• 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4/320, $599
• 2.4 GHz dual Core i5, 4/320, $699
• hi-res 2.4 GHz dual Core i5, 4/320, $799
• 2.66 GHz dual Core i7, 4/500, $799
• 2.0 GHz quad Core i7, 4/500, $899
• 2.2 GHz quad Core i7, 4/750, $999
• hi-res 2.2 GHz quad Core i7, 4/750, $1,199
• 2.3 GHz quad Core i7, 8/256 SSD, $1,499
• 2.6 GHz quad Core i7, 8/750, $1,499
• 2.7 GHz quad Core i7, 8/750, $1,599
• several other configurations listed

Operator Headgap

Shipping included. Operator Headgap thoroughly refurbishes and tests every Mac they sell. When ordering, please let them know you heard about them on Low End Mac when entering your shipping information. Thanks!

• 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/100, OS X 10.6.8 installed, $699.77 shipped
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/200, OS X 10.6.8 installed, $779.77 shipped
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 4/500, OS X 10.6.8 installed, $879.77 shipped

PowerMax

Ground shipping may add $30 or more. Mac OS X 10.4.11 installed except as noted, OS CD often not included. Many have a few small dents but we avoid listing ones with screen imperfections.

Pre-Unibody

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/80, $399
• 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 1/250, $419
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $449
• 2.33 GHz Core 2, 3/160, $489
• 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/120, $559
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/200, $629
• many other configurations listed

Unibody

• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/250, $849
• 2.53 GHz Core 2, 4/250, $889
• 2.66 GHz Core 2, 4/320, $909
• 2.8 GHz Core 2, 4/320, $919
• 2.4 GHz dual Core i5, 4/320, $1,049
• 2.53 GHz dual Core i5, 4/500, $1,079
• 2.66 GHz dual Core i7, 2/500, $1,189
• 2.0 GHz quad Core i7, 4/500, $1,249
• 2.2 GHz quad Core i7, 4/500, $1,299
• 2.4 GHz quad Core i7, 8/750, $1,489
• lots of other configurations listed

Small Dog Electronics

$4.99 flat rate shipping.

• none listed today

TechRestore

30 day warranty. Inventory changes daily.

• none listed today

Teksale.com

Ground shipping can add $15 or more.

• 2.53 GHz Core 2, 4/320, $679
• 2.4 GHz dual Core i5, 4/320, $745
• 2.53 GHz dual Core i5, 4/500, $749
• 2.66 GHz dual Core i7, 4/500, $849

UsedMacs.US

Local pickup available in West Hollywood, CA. Ground shipping may cost $50 or more. 30 day warranty. AirPort Extreme available at extra cost.

• none listed today

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $23 or more. OS X 10.4.11 installed.

Pre-Unibody

• 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 1/80, $290.60
• 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1/120, $322.50
• 2.16 GHz Core 2, 2/120, $350.99
• 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/200, $369.50
• 2.6 GHz Core 2, 2/200. $554.10
• many other configurations available

Unibody

• used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 4/750, $559.08
• used 2.53 GHz Core 2, 8/250, $698.50
• used 2.22 GHz quad Core i7, 4/500, $1,045.50

Want Intel Core power in a portable for less? Check out our 13″ MacBook Pro Deals for pricing on the 13″ MacBook Pro. Need a larger screen? Look at our 17″ MacBook Pro Deals.

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