MacBook Pro Early 2011 13"

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.7 13-Inch (Early 2011/Thunderbolt) is powered by a 32 nm "Sandy Bridge" 2.7 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (2620M), which includes two independent processor "cores" on a single chip and a 4 MB shared level 3 cache. It comes with 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-10600) installed as two 2 GB modules, a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive," and an Intel HD Graphics 3000 processor that shares 384 MB of system memory. The system also features an integrated FaceTime HD webcam and a 13.3" widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1280x800 resolution) with LED backlighting.

For connectivity, it provides 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 the new "Thunderbolt" port. Thunderbolt is backward compatible with Mini DisplayPort, supports an external display at 2560x1600, passes an audio signal, and allows for connecting other high-speed peripherals with up to 10 Gbps of bandwidth in both directions.

This model is housed in a "Unibody" aluminum case, which is milled from a single piece of aluminum. It includes a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery that Apple estimates will last for 7 hours.

When compared to its predecessor, this model has a very similar external design, but adds a higher-resolution webcam and the aforementioned Thunderbolt port. Internally, however, it boasts a significantly faster architecture, quicker RAM, and enhanced graphics.

The Early 2011 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.7 GHz Core i7 was considered an insanely fast machine for its size, offering a significant performance leap with the move to Sandy Bridge architecture. The introduction of the high-speed Thunderbolt port was a key future-proofing feature. While praised for its processing power, a common criticism was that the powerful CPU could cause the machine to run hot and loud under load. The sole reliance on integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics limited its appeal for graphically intensive tasks, but its CPU performance made it a potent package for many users. It successfully blended power, portability, and the classic, upgradable unibody design.