MacBook Pro Mid-2010 15"

The MacBook Pro "Core i7" 2.8 15-Inch (Mid-2010) is a "configure-to-order" version of the 2.66 15-Inch model, also documented separately for clarity. Besides the processor, these two models are identical.

This MacBook Pro is powered by a 32 nm, dual-core 2.8 GHz Intel "Core i7" I7-640M (Arrandale) processor with a dedicated 256k L2 cache per core and a 4 MB shared L3 cache. It supports "Turbo Boost," which can raise the processor speed to 3.46 GHz, and "Hyper Threading," allowing the system to see four virtual cores.

By default, it has 4 GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM (PC3-8500) in pairs, a 500 GB Serial ATA (5400 RPM) hard drive, an 8X DL "SuperDrive," and dual graphics processors: a NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 512 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory and an Intel HD Graphics with 256 MB of shared RAM. The system switches between them automatically for optimal performance or battery life.

The standard configuration includes a 15.4-inch widescreen TFT active-matrix "glossy" display (1440x900), with high-resolution glossy or antiglare 1680x1050 displays available for an extra US$100 and US$150, respectively. Connectivity includes AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, Gigabit Ethernet, a FireWire "800" port, two USB 2.0 ports, optical digital/analog audio in/out, a "Mini DisplayPort" that supports external displays up to 2560x1600 and passes audio, and an SD card slot. It lacks an ExpressCard/34 slot. This model uses a "Unibody" aluminum case, has a backlit keyboard, a "no button" glass "inertial" multi-touch trackpad, and a non-swappable battery with an 8-9 hour life. Compared to its predecessor, it has a similar exterior but an enhanced trackpad and an audio-capable Mini DisplayPort. Internally, it has a substantially different architecture with a faster "Core i7" processor and graphics, though it shares the same memory. Battery life is also improved.

As the top-tier custom processor option for the Mid-2010 15-inch MacBook Pro, the 2.8 GHz Core i7 variant delivered the best dual-core performance available in an Apple notebook at the time. It was a machine for users who wanted to eke out every last bit of processing speed for their workflows. It benefited from the same lauded features as its siblings: the excellent battery life from automatic graphics switching, the robust unibody design, and the improved inertial scrolling trackpad. While a dual-core in a 15-inch chassis seems modest by later standards, in 2010 this configuration represented the pinnacle of portable Mac performance for tasks that didn't leverage more than two cores.