MacBook Pro Late 2011 13"

Quietly released without a press announcement, the MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.4 13-Inch (Late 2011) is powered by a 32 nm "Sandy Bridge" 2.4 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (2435M). It contains two independent cores on a single chip, a 3 MB shared level 3 cache, and 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-10600) installed in two 2 GB modules. The system also includes a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive," an Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor sharing 384 MB of system memory, an integrated FaceTime HD webcam, and a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1280x800 resolution.

Connectivity options feature AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire "800" port, two USB 2.0 ports, audio in/out, an SDXC card slot, and a "Thunderbolt" port. This port is backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort, supports external displays up to 2560x1600, and passes audio. It also supports other Thunderbolt devices, offering up to 10 Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth.

This model is housed in a "Unibody" aluminum case milled from a single block, and includes a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery with an estimated 7-hour life.

Compared to the model it succeeded, this version is identical except for a faster processor and a larger standard hard drive.

The Late 2011 model was regarded as a modest but welcome update, centered on the adoption of the Sandy Bridge processor and the then-new Thunderbolt port. While retaining the acclaimed unibody design, users noted the tangible performance increase over its predecessor. The integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics were considered adequate for daily tasks but lagged in graphics-intensive applications. Its user-upgradable nature for RAM and storage was a significant advantage, often highlighted as a key reason for its longevity and continued relevance for years after its release. However, it was also seen as the last of its kind before the shift to thinner, less upgradable designs.