Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 15" MacBook Pro Prices

2012.06.13

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Apple updated the entire MacBook line this week and introduced a brand new model, the 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display. 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 Mid 2012 15-inchers also have Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics.

The 13" and 15" 2012 MacBook Pro

The regular Mid 2012 15" MacBook Pro starts with 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 the new model in The Mid 2012 MacBook Pro Value Equation.

15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display

The 0.71" thin Retina MacBook Pro does not have a built-in SuperDrive and has the same CPU options as the regular MacBook Pro. It comes with 8 GB of onboard memory and is upgradable to 16 GB. Bear in mind that memory is soldered to the system board, so you can't upgrade after the fact. The 2.3 GHz model ships with a 256 GB SSD, the 2.6 GHz model with 512 GB, and there is even a 768 GB build-to-order option. Of course the big feature is the 2880 x 1800 pixel Retina Display. See our first thoughts on the new model in The Retina MacBook Pro Value Equation.

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.

Unibody MacBook Pro 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; the Late 2011 with 10.7.2.

Earlier Models

The original Core Duo models ran hotter than the 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. The newer, more efficient Core 2 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 10.8 Mountain Lion will be available in July and should run on all 2007 and newer models with sufficient memory.

The April 2010 and later models are listed separately from the Core 2 Duo ones, because their 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.

Best Used Prices

2.16 GHz Core Duo, $538, DV Warehouse, not Lion compatible
2.33 GHz Core 2, $564, DV Warehouse, not Mountail Lion compatible
HOT 2.4 GHz Core 2, $599, DV Warehouse
2.5 GHz Core 2, $799, Mac of All Trades
VERY HOT 2.53 GHz dual i5, $845, UsedMacs.us
2.2 GHz quad i7, $1,555 shipped, Small Dog

Best Close-Out Prices

2.2 GHz quad i7, $1,549 shipped, B&H
2.4 GHz quad i7, $1,899 shipped, B&H
2.5 GHz quad i7, $2,199 shipped, B&H

Best New Prices

2.3 GHz quad i7, $1,769 shipped, PowerMax
2.6 GHz quad i7, $2,189 shipped, MacMall, PowerMax (Low End Mac earns more when you buy from MacMall)
2.3 GHz Retina, $2,184 shipped, MacMall
2.6 GHz Retina, $2,784 shipped, MacMall

Recent Memory Prices (per module unless otherwise noted)

PC5300 (pre-Unibody)

all: 512 MB, $15.99; 1 GB, $18.79
Core 2 only: 2 GB, $30.99; 3 GB kit, $48.88, 4 GB kit, $60.88
Santa Rosa only: 4 GB module, $89.99; 6 GB kit, $119.99

1066 DDR3 (Unibody, pre-2011): 2 GB, $16.88; 4 GB, $28.59; 4 GB kit, $30.99; 6 GB kit, $44.99; 8 GB kit, $55.97
1333 DDR3 (2011): 4 GB, $28.79; 8 GB, $83.99; 8 GB kit, $56.99; 12 GB kit, $109.99; 16 GB kit for $161.99

Best Mac OS 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.

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

Core Duo (Jan. 06): 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 (Oct. 06): 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 (June 07): 2.2-2.6 GHz, OS X 10.9, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
Penryn (Feb. 08): 2.5-2.6 GHz, OS X 10.5.2, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
Unibody (Oct. 08): 2.4-2.8 GHz, OS X 10.5.5, GeForce 9600M GT & 9400M graphics, 802.11n
Unibody (June 09): 2.53-3.06 GHz, OS X 10.5.7, GeForce 9600M GT & 9400M graphics, 802.11n
Dual i5/i7 (Apr. 10): 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 (Feb. 11): 2.0-2.3 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.6.6, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Radeon HD 6490M, 802.11n
Quad i7/Thunderbolt (Oct. 11): 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 (June 11): 2.3-2.6 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.7.4, Intel HD Graphics 4000 & GeForce GT 650M, 802.11n
Retina Display (June 11): 2.3-2.6 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.7.4, Intel HD Graphics 4000 & GeForce GT 650M, 802.11n

New 15" MacBook Pro

All prices include ground shipping unless otherwise noted.

	Amazon.com	B&H	J&R	MacMall	PC Connection	PowerMax
Late 2011
2.2 GHz quad i7, 4/500	$1,559.99	$1,549	$1,659.95	$1,599.99	$1,599	$1,599
2.4 GHz quad i7, 4/750	$1,861.95	$1,899	$2,058.88	$1,999	$2,039.99	$1,989
2.5 GHz quad i7, 4/750		$2,199			$2,499
Mid 2012
2.3 GHz quad i7, 4/500	$1,799	$1,799	$1,799	$1,789	$1,789.99	$1,769
2.6 GHz quad i7, 8/750	$2,194	$2,199	$2,199	$2,189		$2,189
2.7 GHz quad i7, 8/750		$2,599
Retina
2.3 GHz quad i7, 8/256	$2,194			$2,184	$2,199	$2,189
2.6 GHz quad i7, 8/512	$2,794			$2,784	$2,799	$2,789
2.7 GHz quad i7, 8/512

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 and Store Refurbished

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

Computer Trends Canada

used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/120, C$799.99
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, C$949.99

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 1/100, $538
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $564
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 1/160, $599
used 2.5 GHz Core 2, 2/160, $799
used 2.4 GHz Unibody, 2/250, $888
used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 2/250, $944
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4/320, $1,048
other configurations listed

ExperCom

Estimated shipping is $13.50.

used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 8/500, $1,299

Mac of All Trades

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

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2/100, $599
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/120, $649
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/200, $699
used 2.5 GHz Core 2, 4/250, $799
used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 4/320, $999.99
other models 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!

used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/100, OS X 10.6.8 installed, $799.77 shipped
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, OS X 10.6.8 installed, $949.77 shipped

PowerMax

Free ground shipping. 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

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2/100, heavy wear, $729 shipped
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/160, excess wear, $749 shipped
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, extra wear, $829 shipped
used 2.5 GHz Core 2, 2/250, heavy wear, $1,039 shipped
many other configurations listed, including some with screen spots and other blemishes at lower prices

Unibody

used 2.8 GHz Core 2, 4/500, $1,419 shipped

Small Dog Electronics

$4.99 flat rate shipping.

used 2.2 GHz quad-core i7, 4/500, $1,549.99

Teksale.com

Ground shipping can add $15 or more.

used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $749
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/120, $799
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 4/160, $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.

used 2.53 GHz dual-core i5, 4/250, $844.95

Wegener Media

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

used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 512/80, $619.99
used 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 512/80, $659.99
used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $789.99
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $899.99
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $969.99
new battery, $84.99 with system purchase

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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