Why the 2012 MacBook Pro Was Apple’s Greatest Laptop

The 2012 non-Retina MacBook Pro was one of the greatest notebooks Apple has ever produced (for its time, that's a given). To be clear, we aren’t necessarily talking about performance.

When it comes to computers, hardware like chips, displays and other internal components don’t exactly age well. But some of the device's features are great, even by today’s standards.

Display and performance-wise, newer MacBook Pro models blow the 2012 edition out of the water. Similarly, the non-Retina MacBook Pro was undeniably big and clunky compared to today’s svelte Apple notebooks.

But the 2012 MacBook Pro is still notable because it was the last of its kind. But why was it so great? Continue reading to find out.

5 Easy Repairability/Hackability 

Image via iFixit

It was the last MacBook Pro, or any MacBook model, to feature any sort of upgradability or third-party repairability. You could actually tear down the notebook and swap out its internal components — without voiding the warranty.

For the longest time, that means the MacBook Pro could be pretty easily turned into a “Hackintosh.” Users could install new memory into the device, and even switch out the HDD for a better-performing SSD.

In other words, with the right components and know-how, a savvy 2012 MacBook Pro owner could turn their aging machine into a notebook that could rival even today’s Mac laptops. At least, to a degree.

And since the device featured non-soldered parts, it could be repaired much easier if a critical component — like the logic board — kicked the bucket. The battery was also easily replaceable, meaning you wouldn’t have to bring your Mac notebook into a Genius Bar to get it swapped for a new one.

But it’s not just upgradability. The 2012 MacBook Pro sported some other clever features that we were sad to see go.

4 Lots of Ports

Image via Apple

For one, the MacBook Pro had a full suite of ports and connectivity options. You may not need an Ethernet or a FireWire 800 port, but having a built-in SD card reader is incredibly handy for all sorts of creatives and professionals.

3 There Was a Battery Indicator

Image via Apple Stack Exchange

Another amazing feature that was killed off was a small LED battery indicator. Essentially, it was a physical button you could tap on to see the MacBook Pro’s current battery level. You didn’t even have to open the lid of the notebook to do so.

2 Multi-Purpose DVD Drive

Image via TFix

And while an optical DVD drive may not be the most useful thing for today’s users, many “Mac hackers” just chose to swap the drive out and use the extra space for an additional SSD or HDD drive.

1 It Had MagSafe

Image via Gordon Mei / Flickr

The MagSafe connector was also an awesome idea. It made plugging in your power cable magnetic and incredibly easy. And it undoubtedly saved many Apple notebooks from an untimely demise from tripping. MagSafe survived until 2015, when it was phased out in favor of USB-C.

Apple is unlikely to change its MacBook Pro design philosophy and implement some of the features of the older model into new laptops. Progress marches on, even if it’s a bit sad that the things that made the 2012 MacBook Pro great will eventually go extinct.

But while the model has been killed off, some of us may still be using our old notebooks from six years ago. Thankfully, you can also still find 2012 MacBook Pro models online (and for quite cheap, too).

Buy one and do some of the aforementioned upgrades, and you might just end up with a laptop that features the best of both worlds.