MacBook Pro Late 2011 13"

Quietly released without a press announcement, the MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 13-Inch (Late 2011) is powered by a 32 nm "Sandy Bridge" 2.8 GHz Intel "Core i7" processor (2640M). It has two independent cores on a single chip, a 4 MB shared L3 cache, and 4 GB of 1333 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-10600) installed in pairs. The system includes a 750 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, passes audio, and works with other Thunderbolt devices at up to 10 Gbps.

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 its predecessor, this model is identical except for a faster processor and a larger standard hard drive.

The Late 2011 13-inch MacBook Pro with the top-of-the-line 2.8 GHz Core i7 processor was a remarkably potent package for its size. It delivered CPU performance that was exceptional for a compact notebook at the time, making it a strong choice for users needing processing grunt on the go. It retained the highly-regarded unibody construction, excellent keyboard, and, crucially, user-upgradable RAM and storage. The main constraint was its reliance on integrated Intel HD 3000 graphics, which held it back from being a true graphics powerhouse. Nonetheless, for those prioritizing CPU speed in a portable and serviceable design, it was a fantastic and well-regarded option.