Released on October 24th, 2011, the 15″ MacBook Pro (Unibody, Late 2011) – MD322LL/A-BTO was designed to deliver exceptional performance, beautiful display quality, and the kind of versatile connectivity that professionals demand. With a 2.5 GHz Core i7 processor, dual graphics capabilities, and the familiar unibody aluminum design, this MacBook Pro was the go-to choice for creative professionals, engineers, and anyone in need of reliable, powerful computing on the go.
With a retail price of $2449, the MD322LL/A-BTO is a bit of a step-up from its standard counterpart, offering performance tweaks that justify the extra cost. Let’s dive into its key features and specs that made this machine stand out in 2011.
Sleek and Sturdy Design: Built for Professionals
The 15-inch MacBook Pro in its unibody aluminum casing continues to offer the signature Apple style that blends durability with elegance. At 0.95 x 14.35 x 9.82 inches and weighing around 5.6 lbs, this MacBook Pro strikes a good balance between portability and performance. It might be a bit heavier compared to its smaller cousins, but that extra weight comes with the benefit of a bigger, more powerful machine.
The 15-inch display delivers a 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, providing a sharp and bright screen ideal for work in design, photography, and video editing. While not featuring Retina Display technology (which was later introduced), the screen was one of the best available at the time, offering accurate color reproduction and high-quality visuals.
Unmatched Performance with a 2.5 GHz Core i7 Processor
At the core of the MD322LL/A-BTO is the powerful 2.5 GHz Core i7 processor. This quad-core chip with Hyper-Threading can handle demanding tasks such as video editing, 3D rendering, or software development without skipping a beat. Whether you’re running multiple applications, multitasking across several programs, or dealing with resource-heavy media files, this processor can handle it all.
The 4GB of DDR3 RAM provides a solid foundation for multitasking, though users looking for even smoother performance could consider upgrading to 8GB or more. With the 750GB 5400 RPM hard drive, you have plenty of space to store files, videos, and applications, but swapping it for a Solid-State Drive (SSD) would greatly speed up performance, especially for boot times and file transfers.
Dual Graphics Cards for Maximum Visual Performance
The MD322LL/A-BTO comes equipped with two graphics solutions:
- Intel HD Graphics 3000 for lower-power tasks like web browsing or word processing.
- Radeon HD 6770M with 1GB of VRAM, a dedicated graphics card for heavy-duty tasks such as gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.
This dual-graphics system allows the laptop to seamlessly switch between the two, depending on the workload, offering a balance between power efficiency and high-performance rendering. The Radeon HD 6770M is especially great for those who need to work with graphics-heavy applications like Adobe Creative Suite or Final Cut Pro.
Battery Life and Efficiency
The 15″ MacBook Pro (Late 2011) offers impressive battery life, lasting up to 7-8 hours on a single charge, depending on usage. Apple’s Lithium-Polymer battery is designed to provide long-lasting power without compromising on performance. The efficient power management and optimization provided by macOS, combined with the Core i7’s energy-efficient architecture, ensure that the laptop can last through a full workday without requiring a recharge.
Comprehensive Connectivity Options
The MD322LL/A-BTO doesn’t hold back when it comes to ports. It provides a comprehensive set of connectivity options, making it easy to plug in a variety of devices. Key ports include:
- Two USB 2.0 ports
- Thunderbolt port for ultra-fast data transfer and connecting high-resolution external displays.
- FireWire 800 port for legacy devices.
- SD card slot for easy media transfers, particularly useful for photographers and videographers.
- 8x DL SuperDrive for reading and writing DVDs and CDs, ideal for those who still work with optical media.
The Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g) options keep you connected wirelessly for all your internet and peripheral needs.
Intuitive Input and User Experience
Apple’s multi-touch trackpad is one of the best in the business, providing an intuitive experience for gestures and navigation. It’s highly responsive, offering smooth scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, and other gestures with ease.
The backlit keyboard allows you to work efficiently in low-light conditions, ensuring that typing remains comfortable even in dim environments.
Conclusion: A Strong Performer with Lasting Value
The 15″ MacBook Pro (Late 2011) – MD322LL/A-BTO remains one of the most powerful and versatile laptops from the early 2010s. With a 2.5 GHz Core i7 processor, dual graphics cards, and 750GB of storage, it was built to handle professional workloads like video editing, 3D modeling, and software development. Its unibody design and long battery life make it a great choice for those who need a machine that can keep up with a busy workday.
For those in creative industries or anyone who values power in a portable form, the MD322LL/A-BTO delivers a well-rounded experience that’s still relevant today. Whether you need an upgrade for your creative projects, a solid secondary workstation, or a reliable MacBook for everyday tasks, the 15″ MacBook Pro (Late 2011) has proven to be a durable, capable option that still offers great value on the second-hand market.
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MacBook Pro MD322LL/A-BTO Specs
- Order Number
- MD322LL/A-BTO
- Identifier
- MacBookPro8,2
- Model Number
- A1286
- EMC
- 2563
- Processor Speed
- 2.5GHz
- Processors (Cores)
- 1 (4 Cores)
- Processor Type
- Core i7
- Hard Drive
- 750GB 5400 RPM
- Hard Drive Type
- 2.5″
- RAM
- 4GB
- RAM Type
- PC3-10600-1333MHZ-DDR3-SO-DIMM
- Video Card 1
- HD Graphics 3000
- Video Card 2
- Radeon HD 6770M
- VRAM
- 1GB
- Built-in Display
- 15″
- Color
- Silver
- Input
- Multi-Touch Trackpad
- Optical Drive
- 8x DL SuperDrive
- AirPort
- 802.11a/b/g
- Bluetooth
- 2.1+EDR
- Power Brick
- 85w MagSafe 1
- Dimensions
- 0.95 x 14.35 x 9.82 inches
- Avg. Weight
- 5.6 lbs
- Release Date
- October 24th 2011
- MSRP
- 2449