MacBook Pro Mid-2012 13"

The MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.5 13-Inch (Mid-2012/USB 3.0) is equipped with a 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" 2.5 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (3210M), which has two independent cores on a single silicon chip and a 3 MB shared L3 cache. It comes with 4 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (PC3-12800) installed in pairs, a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive," and an "integrated" Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor that shares system memory. Also included are an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam and a 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display with a 1280x800 native resolution.

Connectivity features AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire "800" port, two USB 3.0 ports, a "Thunderbolt" port, audio in/out, and an SDXC card slot.

This model utilizes a "Unibody" aluminum case, milled from a single piece of aluminum, and includes a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery providing an estimated 7 hours of life.

When compared to its predecessor, this model is externally almost identical, with the main exception being the inclusion of USB 3.0 ports. Internally, however, it features a faster processor, architecture, graphics, and RAM.

The Mid-2012 13-inch MacBook Pro was viewed as a solid, albeit incremental, update to the classic unibody design. The most significant internal upgrades were the move to Intel's Ivy Bridge processors and HD 4000 graphics, which provided a respectable performance enhancement. Externally, the addition of USB 3.0 ports was the main change, bringing it up to speed with modern peripherals. A key selling point, especially in retrospect, was its extensive upgradability; users could easily swap out the RAM and hard drive, and even replace the optical drive with a second storage device, making it a favorite among tinkerers. While it lacked the high-resolution Retina display of its more expensive sibling, its robust build quality and user-serviceable nature secured its reputation as a reliable workhorse.