MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
![](./images/models/mbp_15_early_2011.jpg)
Essentials
Family: MacBook Pro
Codename: ?
Gestalt ID: 406
Minimum OS: 10.6.6
Maximum OS: 10.10.4
Introduced: February 2011
Terminated: October 2011
Processor
CPU: Intel Core i7 Mobile ("Sandy Bridge")
CPU Speed: 2.0/2.2 GHz (2.3 GHz BTO)
CPU Cores: 4
FPU: integrated
Bus Speed: 5 GT/s (DMI)
Register Width: 64-bit
Data Bus Width: 64-bit
Address Bus Width: 64-bit
Level 1 Cache: 32 kB data, 32 kB instruction
Level 2 Cache: 256 kB per-core (1 MB total)
Level 3 Cache: 6 MB on-processor
ROM: EFI
RAM Type: PC3-10600 SO-DIMM
Minimum RAM Speed: 1333 MHz
Onboard RAM: 0 MB
RAM slots: 2
Maximum RAM: 8 GB
Expansion Slots: SDXC card
Video
Screen: 15.4" LED-backlit TFT
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6490M/6750M, Intel HD Graphics 3000
VRAM: 256 MB/1 GB GDDR, 384 MB shared (see not
Max Resolution: 1440x900
Video Out: via Thunderbolt
Camera: 720p FaceTime HD
Storage
Hard Drive: 500/750 GB 5400 RPM
ATA Bus: Serial-ATA
Optical Drive: 24x/24x/10x/8x/8x/4x/4x CD-RW/DVD±RW/DVD±R DL
Input/Output
USB: 2 2.0
Firewire800: 1
Thunderbolt: 1
Audio Out: stereo 24 bit mini, Optical S/PDIF, HDMI via Thunderbolt
Audio In: stereo 24 bit mini, Optical S/PDIF
Speaker: stereo
Microphone: mono
Networking
Ethernet: 10/100/1000BaseT
Wi-Fi: 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth: 2.1+EDR
Miscellaneous
Power: 85 Watts
Battery Life: 7 hours
Dimensions: 0.95" H x 14.35" W x 9.82" D
Weight: 5.5 lbs.
![](./images/models/mbp_15_early_2011_side.jpg)
Notes
The MacBook Pro's second graphics chipset used a portion of main memory as VRAM. Though reported as a 384 MB graphics system, this was actually a minimum. Actual usage varied with graphics load, resulting in slightly less RAM available for system use.
Introduced in February 2011, the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) was based on Intel's next-generation "Sandy Bridge" architecture, and improved on its predecessor, the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) with faster processors and graphics, and the inclusion of Apple's new Thunderbolt port. It shipped in two configurations:
- 2.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 500 GB hard disk, 4 GB of RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB of VRAM, $1799
- 2.2 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 750 GB hard disk, 4 GB of RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 1GB of VRAM, $2199
Build-to-order options included a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 8MB shared L3 cache, a 1680x1050 glossy or anti-glare display, up to 8 GB of RAM, 500 or 750 GB hard disks, and 128, 256, or 512 GB SSDs. The MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) was replaced only eight months later by the MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011).
Picture Credits:
Apple, Inc.