Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 13" MacBook Pro Prices

2012.11.03

Short link: http://bit.ly/eIKuNW

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Apple updated the entire MacBook line in June and introduced a 13" MacBook Pro with Retina Display in October. All new models include USB 3, a first for Apple. The improved protocol is 10x the speed of USB 2.0, and USB 3 drives tend to cost a whole lot less than Thunderbolt drives.

The 13" and 15" 2012 MacBook Pro

The Mid 2012 13" MacBook Pro starts with a 2.5 GHz dual-core i5 CPU, 4 GB of system memory, and a 500 GB hard drive. The "better" version has a 2.9 GHz CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 750 GB hard drive. Build-to-order options include SSDs and higher capacity hard drives. See our initial analysis of the new model in The Mid 2012 MacBook Pro Value Equation.

The Retina Display version has a stunning 2560 x 1600 pixel display, SSD instead of a hard drive, and eliminates the internal SuperDrive to produce a slimmer, lighter 'Book with all the power of its older, heavier sibling.

Recent Models

Apple updated the 13" MacBook Pro in February 2011, moving it to dual-core Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs, introducing the high-speed Thunderbolt port, and moving to Intel HD 3000 graphics. 13 inch MacBook Pro The Early 2011 model claims 7 hours of wireless productivity from a full battery charge. In October 2011, Apple speed bumped the MacBook Pro with even faster processors.

The 13" MBP has a 1280 x 800 glossy display and a dual-layer SuperDrive. The 2.3 GHz i5 model has a 320 GB hard drive and 4 GB of RAM (expandable to 8 GB); the 2.7 GHz i7 model has a 500 GB hard drive.

All Thunderbolt models support up to 16 GB (although Apple says 8 GB max). The Early 2011 models shipped with OS X 10.6.6, and Late 2011 ones come with OS X 10.7 Lion.

Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is supported on the 2009 model; newer models require 10.6 Snow Leopard. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard requires 1 GB of RAM (even the oldest 13" MBP comes with 2 GB) and really wants at least 2 GB for decent performance. Check out prices in our Best Mac OS X Snow Leopard Deals. All 13" MacBook Pro models support OS X 10.7 Lion and will run OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion with sufficient memory (we suggest 3 GB minimum for Lion and predict 4 GB for Mountain Lion).

Earlier Models

Every pre-Thunderbolt 13" MacBook Pro left the factory with 2 GB or 4 GB of memory and supports up to 8 GB. Because Mac OS X always runs better with more, you may want to upgrade. If you have the 2 GB 2.26 GHz 2009 model, upgrade to at least 4 GB, and if can swing it, max out your 13" MBP to 8 GB. (See Is More RAM More Important than Matched RAM in the MacBook? for more on unmatched memory such as OWC's 6 GB upgrade kit.)

Every MacBook Pro ships from Apple with a SuperDrive, Bluetooth, and AirPort Extreme.

The best deals are marked in bold type in the full listings below. Listings note RAM/hard drive size.

Best Used Prices

2.26 GHz, $749, Mac of All Trades MacResource
HOT 2.53 GHz, $850, MacResource
2.66 GHz, $899, DV Warehouse
2.3 GHz i5, $1,199, DV Warehouse
HOT 2.7 GHz i7, $1,279 shipped, Power Max

Best New Prices

2.5 GHz i5, $1,100 shipped, Amazon, B&H, MacMall (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall)
2.9 GHz i7, $1,444 shipped, B&H
2.5 GHz/128 GB SSD Retina, $1,694, B&H, MacMall, PC Connection (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall or PC Connection)
2.5 GHz/256 GB SSD Retina, $1,994, B&H, MacMall, PC Connection (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall or PC Connection)

Recent Memory Prices (per module)

The 13" MacBook Pro has two memory slots.

PC8500 DDR3 for pre-2011 models: 2 GB module, $11.99; 4 GB, $25.79; 4 GB kit, $21.79; 6 GB kit, $37.99; 8 GB kit, $49.79.
PC10600 DDR3 for 2011 models: 4 GB module, $25.99, 8 GB, $54.99; 8 GB kit, $49.79; 12 GB kit, $79.99; 16 GB kit, $104.99.
PC12800 DDR3 for 2012 models: 4 GB module, $25.99, 8 GB, $57.99; 8 GB kit, $49.99; 12 GB kit, $81.99; 16 GB kit, $107.99.

Best Mac OS X Prices

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.

Core Duo models are listed before Core 2 models, which are more efficient and run cooler. Other than that, models are listed by CPU speed. Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

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

Profiles

June 2009: 2.26/2.53 GHz, OS X 10.5.7, GeForce 9400M graphics, 2 GB RAM in 2.26 model
April 2010: 2.4/2.66 GHz, OS X 10.6.3, GeForce 320M graphics
i5/i7 (Feb. 11): 2.3 GHz dual i5/2.7 GHz dual i7, OS X 10.6.6, Intel HD Graphics 3000
i5/i7 (Oct. 11): 2.4 GHz dual i5/2.8 GHz dual i7, OS X 10.7.2, Intel HD Graphics 3000
i5/i7 (June 12): 2.5 GHz dual i5/2.9 GHz dual i7, OS X 10.7.4, Intel HD Graphics 4000, USB 3
Retina Display (Oct. 12): 2.5 GHz dual i5/2.9 GHz dual i7, OS X 10.8.2, Intel HD Graphics 4000, USB 3

New 13" MacBook Pro

Prices include ground shipping unless noted otherwise.

	Amazon.com	B&H	J&R	MacMall	PC Connection	PowerMax
Late 2011
2.4 GHz dual i5, 4/500	$1,125.33
2.8 GHz dual i7, 4/750	$1,355
Mid 2012
2.5 GHz dual i5, 4/500	$1,099.99	$1,099.95	$1,159.95	$1,099.94	$1,199	$1,188
2.9 GHz dual i7, 8/750	$1,464.97	$1,444	$1,449.95	$1,454.98	$1,499	$1,489
Late 2012 - Retina
2.5 GHz dual i5, 8/128 SSD	$1,699	$1,694	$1,699	$1,694	$1,694	$1,699
2.9 GHz dual i5, 8/128 SSD		$1,899
2.5 GHz dual i5, 8/256 SSD	$1,999	$1,994	$1,999	$1,994	$1,994	$1,999
2.9 GHz dual i5, 8/256 SSD		$2,199

Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to KS, KY, ND, NY, and WA.
MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.
PC Connection collects sales tax on orders shipped to AL, IL, NC, NJ, NY, and OH.

Used & Reseller Refurbished

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

used 2.26 GHz Unibody, 2/160, $799
used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 2/250, $874
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4/250, $899
used 2.3 GHz i5, 4/320, $1,199

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $30. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track and collects sales tax on orders shipped within FL.

used 2.26 GHz Unibody, 4/160, $749

PowerMax

Free ground shipping.

used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 8/250, $969 shipped
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 8/500, $1,079 shipped
used 2.7 GHz i7, 8/750, $1,279 shipped
other configurations listed

Teksale.com

Ground shipping can add $15 or more.

used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 4/160, $879

Need something thinner and lighter with most of the power? Check out our Best MacBook Air Prices. Need something bigger and more powerful? See our Best 15" MacBook Pro Prices and our Best 17" MacBook Pro Prices.

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