Low End Mac's Best Deals

Best 15" MacBook Pro Prices

2012.01.30

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In February, Apple moved the 15" and 17" MacBook Pro to quad-core CPUs, giving them a lot more computing power than the 2010 dual-core i5 and i7 models. They also gained Apple's high-speed Thunderbolt port. Battery life is rated at a pretty realistic 7 hours.

Unibody MacBook Pro This week, Apple began shipping updated versions with slightly faster CPUs, better graphics processors, and more hard drive space. Other than that, the Late 2011 MacBook Pros appear to be identical to the Early 2011 models.

Apple offers three solid state drive (SSD) option - 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB. There is no longer a FireWire 400 port, but FireWire 800 is backward compatible.

The 2.2 GHz quad-core MacBook Pro includes 4 GB of RAM and a a 500 GB hard drive. The 2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz models have 750 GB hard drives.

All 2011 models ship with 4 GB of RAM and officially support up to 8 GB, although OWC has found they will work with up to 16 GB. The Early 2011 ones shipped with OS X 10.6.6; the Late 2011 with 10.7.2. For more on the Late 2011 models, see The Late 2011 MacBook Pro Value Equation.

Earlier Models

The original Core Duo models ran hotter than the later Core 2 models, support a maximum of 2 GB of RAM, do not support 64-bit mode in Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, and do not support OS X 10.7 Lion. The newer, more efficient Core 2 CPU provides about 7% more processing power at the same CPU speed. Pre-Santa Rosa Core 2 models can handle up to 3 GB of memory. Santa Rosa and later models support up to 6 GB. All pre-Unibody models support OS X 10.5 Leopard.

The April 2010 and later models are listed separately from the Core 2 Duo ones, because their CPUs are so much more powerful, and dual- and quad-core models are further divided. Listings note RAM/hard drive size. All models have SuperDrives, AirPort Extreme, and Bluetooth 2.0. The best deals are marked in bold type in the full listings below.

Best Used Prices

We do not include GainSaver here, because they strip out the factory supplied SuperDrive, replacing it with a Combo drive, reduce system memory and hard drive size from Apple's base configuration, and don't even include a MagSafe power adapter at their listed price.

1.83 GHz Core Duo, $538, DV Warehouse
HOT 2.4 GHz Core 2, $549, Chrosmack Ventures
2.6 GHz Core 2, $799, DV Warehouse
2.53 GHz Unibody, $1,000, Mac of All Trades
HOT 2.66 GHz Unibody, $1,100, Mac of All Trades
2.8 GHz Unibody, $1,409 shipped, PowerMax
2.66 GHz dual i7, $1,509 shipped, PowerMax
2.2 GHz quad i7, $1,599, Mac of All Trades

Best Refurbished Prices

huge selection from 2010 and 2011 at Apple

Best Close-Out Prices

2.0 GHz quad i7, $1,550 shipped, MacMall
2.2 GHz quad i7, $1,750 shipped, MacMall

Best New Prices

2.2 GHz quad i7, $1,698 shipped, B&H
2.4 GHz quad i7, $2,027 shipped, B&H
2.5 GHz quad i7, $2,449 shipped, Apple, PC Connection, PowerMax (all else equal, Low End Mac earns more from PC Connection)

Recent Memory Prices (per module unless otherwise noted)

PC5300 (pre-Unibody)
- all: 512 MB, $15.99; 1 GB, $18.99
- Core 2 only: 2 GB, $33.99; 3 GB kit, $49.99, 4 GB kit, $64.99
- Santa Rosa only: 4 GB module, $72.99; 6 GB kit, $119.99
1066 DDR3 (Unibody, pre-2011): 2 GB, $14.79; 4 GB, $24.99; 4 GB kit, $27.99; 6 GB kit, $41.99; 8 GB kit, $47.99
1333 DDR3 (2011): 4 GB, $25.97; 8 GB module, $137.99; 8 GB kit, $48.79; 12 GB kit, $152.99; 16 GB kit for $267.99

Best Mac OS Prices

Be sure to factor in shipping costs and possible sales tax. Your best value depends on whether you need/want a color printer, extra RAM, etc.

Unless otherwise noted, there is no surcharge for credit card purchases, and shipping is not included. Vendors are listed in alphabetical order. Be sure to visit their sites for full details.

Prices may be limited to quantity on hand. Not responsible for typos. Please email any corrections or additional sources with competitive prices toDan Knight .

Buying through some of these links benefits Low End Mac. Buying at these prices benefits you.

Profiles

Core Duo (Jan. 06): 1.83-2.16 GHz, OS X 10.4.4, Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 802.11g, no FireWire 800, not compatible with Lion
Core 2 Duo (Oct. 06): 2.16-2.33 GHz, OS X 10.4.8, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics, 802.11g, has FW800
Santa Rosa (June 07): 2.2-2.6 GHz, OS X 10.9, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
Penryn (Feb. 08): 2.5-2.6 GHz, OS X 10.5.2, GeForce 8600M GT graphics, 802.11n
Unibody (Oct. 08): 2.4-2.8 GHz, OS X 10.5.5, GeForce 9600M GT & 9400M graphics, 802.11n
Unibody (June 09): 2.53-3.06 GHz, OS X 10.5.7, GeForce 9600M GT & 9400M graphics, 802.11n
Dual i5/i7 (Apr. 10): 2.4 GHz dual i5/2.66-2.8 GHz dual i7, OS X 10.6.3, Intel HD Graphics & GeForce GT 330M, 802.11n
Quad i7/Thunderbolt (Feb. 11): 2.0-2.3 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.6.6, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Radeon HD 6490M, 802.11n
Quad i7/Thunderbolt (Oct. 11): 2.2-2.4 GHz quad i7, OS X 10.7.2, Intel HD Graphics 3000 & Radeon HD 6490M, 802.11n

New 15" MacBook Pro

	Amazon.com	Apple Store US	Apple Canada	B&H	J&R	MacMall	PC Connection	PowerMax
Early 2011
2.0 GHz quad i7 4/500						$1,549.99 sh
2.2 GHz quad i7 4/750						$1,749.99 sh
Late 2011
2.2 GHz quad i7 4/500	$1,709.93 sh	$1,799 sh	C$1,849 sh	$1,698 sh	$1,709.88 sh	$1,709.93 sh	$1,709.94 sh	$1,769 sh
2.4 GHz quad i7 4/750	$2,044.96 sh	$2,199 sh	C$2,249 sh	$2,027 sh	$2,058.88 sh	$2,044.96 sh	$2,045 sh	$2,149 sh
2.5 GHz quad i7 4/750		$2,449 sh	.	$2,598.95			$2,449 sh	$2,449 sh

Amazon.com collects sales tax on orders shipped to KS, KY, ND, and WA.
Apple collects sales tax on orders shipped to almost all states.
LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California.
MacMall collects sales tax on orders shipped to CA, IL, MN, TN, and WI.
PC Connection collects sales tax on orders shipped to AL, IL, NC, NJ, NY, and OH.

Apple Refurbished

Apple refurbished unit have Apple's full one-year warranty and are eligible for AppleCare.

Apple Store US

Apple collects sales tax on orders shipped to almost all states. Free ground shipping.

2.66 GHz dual i7 (2010), 4/500, $1,499 shipped
2.8 GHz dual i7 (2010), 4/500, $1,659 shipped
2.0 GHz quad i7 (Early 2011), 4/500, $1,359 shipped
2.2 GHz quad i7 (Early 2011), 4/750, $1,659 shipped
2.3 GHz quad i7 (2Early 011), 4/500, $1,899 shipped
many other configurations listed

Apple Store Canada

2.66 GHz dual i7 (2010), 4/500, C$1,529 shipped
2.8 GHz dual i7 (2010), 4/500, C$1,699 shipped
2.0 GHz quad i7 (Early 2011), 4/500, C$1,399 shipped
2.2 GHz quad i7 (Early 2011), 4/750, C$1,699 shipped
2.3 GHz quad i7 (Early2011), 4/500, C$1,969 shipped
many other configurations listed

Used and Store Refurbished

Used and store refurbished Macs have a store warranty and are not eligible for AppleCare.

Chrosmack Ventures

Standard shipping adds $24.

used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/320, $548.98
other configurations of this model also available

Computer Trends Canada

used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/120, C$799.99
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, C$949.99

DV Warehouse

Shipping may add $20 or more.

used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 512 MB/80, $538
used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/100, $577
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $595
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 1/160, $644
used 2.6 GHz Core 2, 1/200, $799
used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 2/250, $1,044

ExperCom

Estimated shipping is $13.50.

used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/200, $799

GainSaver

GainSaver appears to have an ongoing daily 10% off sale on Apple products, but we list the undiscounted price just in case. Prices include a 30 day warranty; 90 day warranty is $40 additional. Diagnostic testing costs $25, and shipping insurance costs $25.32. Price includes regular desktop version of Mac OS X. These have been downgraded from factory standard SuperDrives to Combo drives - you can upgrade to a SuperDrive for $19 or a double-layer SuperDrive for $59. Add $29 for an AirPort Extreme card, $79 for a new battery, $39 for an Apple MagSafe power adapter. You can custom configure your MacBook Pro with larger hard drives, various memory configurations, and more. We strongly recommend that you verify the equipment you want is in stock before placing an order. Caveat emptor.

used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 512/60/Combo, $639
used 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 512/60/Combo, $659
used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 512/60/Combo, $699
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 512/60/Combo, $749
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 512/60/Combo, $849
used 2.8 GHz Unibody, 512/60/Combo, $869
other models listed

LA Computer Company

Ground shipping may add $18 or more. LA Computer collects sales tax on orders shipped within California. 30 day warranty.

used 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 2/80/SD, $699

Mac of All Trades

Ground shipping averages $30. Mac of All Trades has the highest product turnover of any used Mac dealer we track.

used 2.16 GHz Core Duo, 2/120, antiglare, $599.99
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 2/120, antiglare, $699.99
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 2/160, glossy, $699.99
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/200, glossy, $799.99
used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 4/250, glossy, $999.99
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4/320, glossy, $1,099.99
used 2.2 GHz quad i7, 4/500, Apple warranty to 1/1/13, $1,599
other models listed

PowerMax

Free ground shipping. Mac OS X 10.4.11 installed except as noted, OS CD often not included. Most have a few small dents.

Pre-Unibody

used 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 1 GB/100, some wear, $729 shipped
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 1/120, excess wear, $749 shipped
used 2.33 GHz Core 2, 1.5/160, dent, $849 shipped
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 2/160, dent, $889 shipped
used 2.6 GHz Core 2, 2/500, dent, small screen blemish, $969 shipped
many other configurations listed, including some with screen spots and other blemishes at lower prices

Unibody

used 2.53 GHz Unibody, 4/320, $1,389 shipped
used 2.66 GHz Unibody, 4/320, $1,409 shipped
used 2.8 GHz Unibody, 4/250, $1,409 shipped
used 2.66 GHz dual-core i7, 4/500, $1,509 shipped
many other configurations listed

Teksale.com

Ground shipping can add $15 or more.

used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $799
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 2/120, $849
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 4/160, $899

Wegener Media

Ground shipping may add $23 or more. OS X 10.4.11 installed.

used 1.83 GHz Core Duo, 512/80, $619.99
used 2.0 GHz Core Duo, 512/80, $659.99
used 2.16 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $789.99
used 2.2 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $899.99
used 2.4 GHz Core 2, 1/120, $969.99
new battery, $84.99 with system purchase

Want Intel Core power in a portable for less? Check out our 13" MacBook Pro Deals for pricing on the 13" MacBook Pro. Need a larger screen? Look at our 17" MacBook Pro Deals.

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