Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011); MacBookPro8,2 Installation Guides and Specifications
Upgrading the Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011) is very easy. You can add some RAM, replace a faulty Hard Drive or just get a new one with a higher capacity. You can add a second Hard Drive by removing the optical drive, replace a dead battery. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.
Please see our Apple RAM Memory for Macbook Pro page to locate your Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your Mac, and we'll ship it fast from our warehouse in Victoria.
Please see our Hard Drive for Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011) page to locate your Apple compatible Hard Drive upgrades for your Mac
Please see our MacBook Pro Battery Replacement for Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011) page to locate your Replacement Battery for your Mac
Apple User Guides for the Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011)
MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory Learn how to remove or install memory in your MacBook Pro notebook computer on the Apple support page.
OWC Video Installation Guide for Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011):
Memory Install Video
Recommended Tools for the RAM upgrade:
- #00 Precision Philips Screwdriver - Economy
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Add a second hard drive or SSD easily with the OWC Data Doubler. Here's an instructional video from OWC:
OWC Data Doubler Install Video
Recommended Tools for the install Data Doubler:
- Macfixit 5-Piece Mini Toolkit
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here is how to fix or upgrade the main Hard Drive:
Hard Drive Install Video
Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:
- Macfixit 5-Piece Mini Toolkit
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
- External Hard Drive Enclosure - Convert your existing drive into an external one
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
And this is the installation video for a battery replacement:
Battery Install Video
Recommended Tools for the battery replacement:
- #00 Precision Philips Screwdriver - Economy
- Tri-Wing Screwdriver (Tri-Point)
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here is some detailed specifications as well as direct link to available upgrades:
| Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Early 2011) | |
| OVERVIEW | |
| Introduced | February 2011 |
| Discontinued | October 2011 |
| Model Identifier | MacBookPro8,2 |
| Model Number | A1286 |
| EMC | 2353 |
| Order Number | MC721LL/A (2.0 GHz) MC723LL/A (2.2 GHz) |
| PROCESSOR | |
| Processor | Intel Core i7 (2635QM, 2720QM, 2820QM) ("Sandy Bridge") |
| Processor Speed | 2.0, 2.2, or 2.3 GHz |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
| Cache | 6 MB shared (2.0, 2.2 GHz) 8 MB shared (2.3 GHz) L3 cache |
| System Bus | Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) at 5 GT/s |
| STORAGE AND MEDIA | |
| Standard Storage | 500 or 750 GB (5400-rpm SATA), or 500 GB (7200-rpm SATA), or 128, 256, or 512 GB (SSD) |
| Link to upgrade tool & kits | Tools for HDD and RAM installation |
| Link to internal HDD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” HDD |
| Link to internal SSD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD |
| Media | 8x Slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) |
| Link to external optical drive | Get an external burner here |
| KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD | |
| Trackpad | Multi-Touch trackpad |
| Keyboard | Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys |
| RAM | |
| Built-in Memory | |
| Maximum Memory | 16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple) |
| Memory Slots | 2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
| Link to RAM upgrade | Upgrade your RAM here |
| DISPLAY | |
| Built-in Display | 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, Optional 15.4-inch (diagonal) display with 1680 by 1050 pixels (glossy or antiglare) |
| Resolutions | 1680 by 1050 |
| GRAPHICS | |
| Graphics Card | AMD Radeon HD 6490M or 6750M and Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Graphics Memory | 256 MB GDDR5 (6490M) 1 GB GDDR5 (6750M) 384 MB (HD Graphics) DDR3 shared with main memory (Memory may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 384 MB.) |
| Display Connection | Thunderbolt digital video output |
| Display Support | Support for up to two Thunderbolt displays |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended, video mirroring, and AirPlay Mirroring |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels |
| Camera | 720p FaceTime HD camera |
| CONNECTIONS | |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n |
| Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | |
| USB | 2 - 480 MBit/s |
| FireWire | 1 - 800 MBit/s |
| Thunderbolt | 1 - up to 10 Gbps |
| Display | Thunderbolt digital video output |
| Infrared | 1 - For Apple Remote only |
| Audio In | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack, 1 - Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 - Combined optical digital output/headphone out, 2 - Built-in speakers |
| EXPANSION | |
| Slots | 1 - Secure Digital (SD) |
| Hard Drive Interface | 6.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| Optical Drive Interface | 6.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| POWER | |
| System Battery | Built-in 77.5-watt-hour lithium-polymer |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours wireless web |
| Standby Time | |
| Maximum Battery Cycles | 1000 |
| Power Adapter | 85W MagSafe Power Adapter |
| Link ot replacement battery | Get a replacement battery here |
| Link to replacement charger | Get a replacement MagSafe here |