History
This
page covers the Unibody MacBook Pro 15" machines. These
were introduced in October 2008, and replaced the earlier MacBook
Pro 15" 2006-08. All models dealt with on this page
have a black keyboard, the 2006-08 models have a silver keyboard.
We also have pages on the MacBook
Pro 13", MacBook
Pro 17" 2006-08 and MacBook
Pro 17" Unibody.
In October 2008 the first Unibody 15" MacBook Pro was
sold, with a redesigned case, upgraded graphics card, upgraded
memory bus, a move to a SATA optical drive and the loss of
the FireWire 400 port (FireWire 800 still present). Apple
specs here.
In June 2009 there was an update which increased the maximum
memory from 4GB to 8GB. The ExpressCard expansion slot was
also removed. An SD memory card slot was added. Apple specs here.
In April 2010 another updated upgraded the processor options
from the Core 2 Duo to the new Intel Core i5 at 2.4GHz or
2.53GHz, or the Intel Core i7 at 2.66GHz. The graphics card
was also upgraded. Compatibility on upgrades remained unchanged.
Apple specs here.
In February 2011 the new revision moved to quad core Core
i7 processors across the range (2.0, 2.2 and 2.3GHz), upgraded
the graphics card and added the new Thunderbolt connection.
Memory type was also upgraded to DDR3 PC10600 (1333MHz) and
the machine can take up to 16GB RAM in 2 x 8GB modules. Apple
specs here.
In October 2011 a minor update increased the CPU speed options
to a quad Core i7 2.2GHz and 2.4GHz (with a build-to-order
2.5GHz also offered). Compatibility on upgrades remained
unchanged. Apple specs here.
In June 2012 the line was updated. A new range of "retina"
models with a very high-resolution display was launched,
however RAM and hard drives are fixed in the retina models
and non-upgradeable specs on the retina models are here.
An update to the standard machine was also announced, with
CPU speeds boosted to options of a 2.3GHz quad core i7 and
2.6GHz quad core i7 (with a build to order option of 2.7GHz).
Memory speed was upgraded to DDR3 1600MHz (PC12800), with
the maximum RAM being 16GB in 2 x 8GB modules. Specs for this non-Retina model here.
An updated non-upgradeable "Retina" model was released in
February 2013. Apple specs here.
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How to Identify these Machines
The Unibody MacBook Pro 15" can be distinguished from the earlier
MacBook
Pro 15" 2006-08 model by the colour of the keyboard - models
dealt with on this page have a black keyboard, earlier models have
a silver one. Other similar MacBook Pros are the MacBook Pro 13", MacBook Pro 17" 2006-08 and MacBook Pro 17" Unibody.
There are multiple revisions of the MacBook Pro 15.4" Unibody ,
and while compatibility is similar there is a difference in the amount
and type of RAM they can use and a few other differences.
To tell the difference between revisions, check the CPU
type and speed in System Profiler, and compare to the below.
1st Revision: released October 2008 with a 2.4GHz, 2.53GHz or 2.8GHz
Intel Core 2 Duo. This was a major revision of the older MacBook
pro 15" with a new case, upgraded memory,
a SATA optical drive and no FireWire 400 port (800 only). This MacBook
Pro has the SuperDrive slot on the right-hand side, all previous
models have the SuperDrive slot in the front. Apple specs here.
2nd Revision: released June 2009 with a 2.53, 2.66, 2.8 or 3.03GHz
Core 2 Duo CPU. Has FireWire 800 across the range, but no FireWire
400. There is no ExpressCard expansion slot on this revision, although
there is an SD card slot. Maximum RAM 8GB (2 x 4GB modules) . SuperDrive
slot in the right-hand side. Apple specs here.
3rd Revision: released April 2010 with a 2.4GHz or 2.53GHz Core
i5, or a 2.66GHz Core i7 CPU and upgraded graphics processing. There
is no ExpressCard expansion slot on this revision, although there
is an SD card slot. Maximum RAM 8GB (2 x 4GB modules) . SuperDrive
slot in the right-hand side. Apple specs here.
4th Revision: released February 2011 with a 2.0, 2.2, or 2.3GHz
Quad Core i7 CPU. No ExpressCard slot but there is an SD card slot.
The Thunderbolt connection was added in this revision. Memory upgraded
to PC10600 DDR3 1333MHz. Maximum RAM 16GB (2 x 8GB). SuperDrive slot
in the right-hand side. Apple specs here.
5th Revision: released October 2011 with a 2.2, 2.4 or 2.5GHz Quad
Core i7 CPU. No ExpressCard slot but there is an SD card slot, as
well as Thunderbolt. Maximum RAM 16GB (2 x 8GB). SuperDrive slot
in the right-hand side. Apple specs here.
6th Revision: released June 2012 with a 2.3, 2.6 or 2.7GHz quad
core i7. No ExpressCard slot but there is an SD card slot, as well
as Thunderbolt. Maximum RAM 16GB (2 x 8GB). SuperDrive slot
in the right-hand side. Apple specs here.
NB: This is the standard, non-retina model. The retina high-resolution
display model does not have upgradeable RAM and storage - specs for
it can be found here.
Memory Upgrades
Memory
listed here is for the MacBook Pro 15" Unibody. Follow the
relevant link for memory for the: MacBook
Pro 13", MacBook Pro 15" 2006-08, MacBook
Pro 17" 2006-08 or MacBook
Pro 17" Unibody.
The
Unibody MacBook Pro 15" has 2 memory sockets.
The
October 2008 MacBook Pro 15" can use up to 6GB of DDR3 PC3-8500
(1066MHz) in 1 x 4GB and 1 x 2GB SODIMMs (use the OWC kit not the individual modules).
Models released from June 2009 can use up to 8GB of DDR3 PC3-8500 in
2 x 4GB SODIMMs.
Models released from February 2011 can use up to 16GB of DDR3 PC3-10600
in 2 x 8GB SODIMMs.
Models released from June 2012 without the "retina" high-resolution
display can use up to 16GB of DDR3 PC3-12800 in 2 x 8GB SODIMMs.
However high-resolution "retina" display models cannot have their
RAM upgraded.
See the How
To Identify this Mac section above for details on how to tell the
difference between these revisions.
There is no need to install RAM in pairs in this machine.
| 1 | Suitable for models released after June 2012 (memory speed of 1600MHz), which do NOT have the high resolution "retina" display. |
| 2 | Suitable for models released after February 2011 and before June 2012. These models have a Thunderbolt port and all have quad core i7 CPUs. |
| 3 | Suitable for Unibody MacBook Pro 15" machines released before February 2011. Machines which have a black keyboard but no Thunderbolt ports. |
| 4 | Only suitable for machines released from June 2009 and before February 2011 - Black keyboard, has an SD card slot, but no ExpressCard slot. Does not have a Thunderbolt connection. |
| 5 | Suitable for pre June 2009 models - models which have an ExpressCard slot. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 3 / 5 - Reasonably easy.
Turn off the machine and remove the power cable and battery. The
RAM is accessed by removing the bottom case. See chapter 3 of this Apple
user guide (pdf).
CD & DVD Drive Upgrades
The
Unibody MacBook Pro 15" use a SATA optical drive unit. We are
not currently supplying this product. We do have enclosures that
are suitable for optical drives that have been removed (for example
to fit a second hard drive) so they can be used externally. Not suitable
for the high-resolution June 2012 "retina" models.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Internal Hard Drive Upgrades
Hard drives and SSDs listed here are for the MacBook Pro 15" Unibody.
Follow the relevant link for memory for the: MacBook
Pro 13", MacBook
Pro 15" 2006-08, MacBook
Pro 17" 2006-08 or MacBook
Pro 17" Unibody.
To get an idea of the performance differences between a hard drive
and an SSD, see this
video from OWC - the SSD used is the OWC Mercuary
Extreme Pro 6G which is listed below.
The MacBook Pro 15" Unibody uses a 2.5" SATA optical drive,
and can use drives up to a height of 12.5mm. All of the following
drives are compatible with all 15" Unibody
MacBook Pros except the "retina" display model released in June 2012
which does not have an upgradeable drive (non-retina June 2012 models
can be upgraded fine).
If you don't want to fit a new hard drive yourself, you can take advantage of the MacUpgrades Installation Service. Add the installation service from the list below to your cart along with your chosen hard drive. We can also clone your existing hard drive onto the new one, simply add the Clone Original Hard Drive service below to your cart.
Once you have booked the service, send your machine to us, we will carry out the work and return it to you. Alternatively, we do offer a Collection Service with our courier, please see here for details.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Unlike the earlier MacBook Pro 15" machines, the Unibody models
are designed for user replacement of the hard drive. For instructions,
see chapter 3 of this Apple
user guide (pdf).
Graphics Card Upgrades
The graphics card in the MacBook Pro is part of the main logic board,
and is therefore not replaceable.
Expansion Card Upgrades
The
following expansion cards are available. NB ExpressCard expansion
cards are only suitable for pre-June 2009 models, or models with
a Thunderbolt port when using a Thunderbolt to ExpressCard adapter.
| 1 | Only suitable for models with a Thunderbolt port. |
| 2 | Not compatible with models released from June 2009, since these do not have an ExpressCard expansion slot. Not compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7 on Unibody MacBook Pros. |
| 3 | Not compatible with models released from June 2009, since these do not have an ExpressCard expansion slot. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Difficulty 1 / 5 - Very Easy (Express34 slot only).
Install any supplied software, turn off the machine and insert the
ExpressCard into the socket on the machine.
Restart machine and away you go.
Keyboards & Mice
The following keyboards and mice are compatible with this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Power Supplies & Batteries
Listed below are power supplies, batteries and related products
we supply for this Mac.
| 1 | For the 1st revision (Late 2008) only. Unibody 15" models which have an ExpressCard slot and no SD card slot. |
| 2 | For 2nd (Mid 2009) and 3rd (Mid 2010) models. Modes which have an SD card slot and no ExpressCard slot, and use 1066MHz DDR3 PC8500 RAM. |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
Cables & Tools
Listed below are cables, tools and related products we supply for
this Mac.
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
External Hard Drive Upgrades
The Unibody
MacBook pro 15
has FireWire 800 and USB 2 connection types. The February 2011 model also has
Thunderbolt. Models prior to June 2009 can have additional connectivity
types added via an expansion card.
| 1 | Requires an eSATA connection to be added to this Mac - this can only be done on pre-June 2009 models (eg Tempo Express/34). |
Any fitting information below is intended as a guide before purchase ONLY, when fitting these products you should refer to the original manual for your computer, and any instructions that come with the item. Please see this page for more information, or here for information on our fitting service.
ex-hdd-difficulty
