MacBook Pro Retina Early 2013

The MacBook Pro "Core i5" 2.6 13-Inch (Early 2013 Retina Display) is powered by a 22 nm "Ivy Bridge" 2.6 GHz Intel "Core i5" processor (3230M). It features dual independent cores on a single chip, a 3 MB shared L3 cache, and 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM that cannot be upgraded. The system includes 256 GB of flash storage, an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor sharing system memory, an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam, and a high-resolution 13.3-inch LED-backlit widescreen 2560x1600 (227 ppi) "retina" display. All this is housed in a chassis weighing just over 3.5 pounds (1.62 kg). It does not have an internal optical drive.

Connectivity options comprise 3-stream AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two "Thunderbolt" ports, an HDMI port, an audio in/out port, and an SDXC card slot. Adapters for Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire "800" were available at extra cost.

In addition, this model has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, a "MagSafe 2" power adapter, and a sealed internal battery providing an estimated 7 hours of use.

The Early 2013 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro was a minor refresh that fine-tuned the previous generation. It received a modest speed bump with a slightly faster Ivy Bridge processor, which was appreciated but not considered a revolutionary change. The gorgeous Retina display remained its most compelling feature, offering stunning visual clarity that set it apart from many competitors. However, like its direct predecessor, it faced criticism for the integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics, which could occasionally feel underpowered for the high-resolution screen. The non-upgradable RAM and the move towards a sealed design continued to be a point of discussion among tech enthusiasts who valued modularity. Overall, it was seen as a solid, premium ultraportable, but one that existed in the shadow of the more significant Haswell update later that year.