Apple

Apple MGX72LL/A MacBook Pro 13.3" Retina i5 8GB 128GB SSD

3.7 (1186 reviews)
2560x1600i5-4278U128GB SSD128 GB SSDBluetooth 4.0

A Retina-class 2560x1600 display and dual-core Haswell i5 deliver sharp visuals and reliable performance in Apple's proven unibody design.

$312.39*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 27, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" (MGX72LL/A) is a Mid-2014 model built around the Intel Core i5-4278U, a dual-core Haswell processor clocked at 2.6 GHz with Turbo Boost to 3.6 GHz and 3 MB of L3 cache. Paired with 8 GB of DDR3L-1600 memory and a 128 GB PCIe-based SSD, it provides responsive everyday performance — apps launch quickly, the system wakes from sleep nearly instantly, and general productivity tasks like web browsing, email, and document editing remain fluid. The 13.3-inch Retina display at 2560x1600 resolution remains one of this machine's strongest assets, delivering sharp text rendering and solid color accuracy that holds up well for photo viewing and content consumption even by current standards. Intel Iris 5100 integrated graphics handle the high-resolution panel and can drive external displays up to 4K at 24 Hz via Thunderbolt 2.

This MacBook Pro is best suited for users with lightweight computing needs who value build quality and display sharpness over raw performance. Its aluminum unibody is remarkably durable, and the 3.46 lb weight makes it genuinely portable. However, prospective buyers should understand the hard limitations: the 128 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM are both soldered with no upgrade path, and official macOS support ends at Big Sur. This means the machine is increasingly constrained for users who need current security patches or want to run the latest versions of professional applications. As a secondary machine for writing, browsing, and light media consumption, it still delivers a quality experience — but it is not a viable option for compute-heavy or storage-heavy workflows.

Key Features

13.3" Retina LED Glossy 2560x1600 Display, Precision aluminum unibody enclosure, Mac OS X 10.9.4

Intel Core i5-4278U 2.6GHz Dual Core Processor, 3.6GHz Max Turbo Frequency, 3MB L3 Cache

8 GB DDR3L SDRAM, 128 GB SSD Hard Drive, No optical drive, Intel Iris 5100 Graphics, Integrated audio with built-in stereo speakers

Built-in omnidirectional microphone, No Ethernet, 802.11ac WiFi, Built-in Bluetooth 4.0, Built-in 720p FaceTime HD camera

Specifications

Display
13.3" Retina LED Glossy, 2560x1600
Processor
Intel Core i5-4278U, 2.6 GHz Dual-Core (3.6 GHz Turbo)
Cache
3 MB L3
Memory
8 GB DDR3L SDRAM
Storage
128 GB SSD
Graphics
Intel Iris 5100
Wi-Fi
802.11ac
Bluetooth
4.0
Webcam
720p FaceTime HD
Operating System
Mac OS X 10.9.4
Enclosure
Aluminum Unibody

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 2560x1600 Retina IPS display delivers 227 PPI, producing sharp text and accurate color for photo viewing and document work
  • Aluminum unibody chassis weighs 3.46 lbs and measures 0.71 inches thick, maintaining genuine portability
  • Intel Iris 5100 integrated graphics handles 4K external display output via Thunderbolt 2 for expanded desktop workflows
  • 802.11ac Wi-Fi provides theoretical speeds up to 867 Mbps, sufficient for streaming and large file downloads

👎 Cons

  • 128GB SSD offers limited usable storage — approximately 90-100 GB after macOS — making it impractical for users with large local file needs
  • Dual-core i5-4278U lacks the thread count to handle modern multitasking workloads like simultaneous compilation and video conferencing
  • Maximum supported macOS is Big Sur (11), cutting off access to current security updates and newer application versions
  • 8GB soldered RAM cannot be upgraded, creating a hard ceiling for memory-intensive tasks like running virtual machines or editing large RAW photo batches

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a 4th Gen Haswell dual-core running at 2.6 GHz base with 3.6 GHz Turbo Boost. It handles web browsing, document editing, and light photo work comfortably, but will struggle with modern video editing or heavy multitasking due to its two-core, four-thread design.
No. On this Mid-2014 MacBook Pro model, both the 8GB DDR3L RAM and 128GB SSD are soldered to the logic board. The storage and memory configuration is fixed at the factory.
Apple officially supports this model up to macOS Big Sur (11). It does not receive macOS Monterey or later through official channels, which limits access to the newest security patches and application requirements.
After macOS and system files, expect roughly 90-100 GB of free space. This is workable for cloud-based workflows but will fill quickly with local media libraries, large applications, or virtual machines.
Yes, it includes two Thunderbolt 2 ports, which support data transfer up to 20 Gb/s and can drive external displays. However, Thunderbolt 2 is not compatible with newer Thunderbolt 3/4 peripherals without an adapter.