LaptopMacBook Pro•2012

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)

The last non-Retina MacBook Pro 13-inch featured user-upgradeable RAM and hard drive, making it one of the most repairable MacBook Pros ever made.

Model: A1278

EMC: 2554

71 parts available

Easy, Beginner Friendly

Key Specifications

Intel Core i5/i7 (Ivy Bridge)

4GB or 8GB DDR3 (user-upgradeable)

500GB or 750GB HDD / SSD option

13.3-inch 1280×800 display

SuperDrive, Thunderbolt 1, USB 3.0

Common Repairs

1RAM upgrade

2HDD/SSD upgrade

3Battery replacement

4Fan replacement

5Display assembly replacement

Available Parts (71)

View all parts in shop

Safety Precautions

• Always disconnect power and discharge the battery before beginning any repair.
• Use an anti-static wrist strap (ESD) to prevent electrostatic damage to components.
• Keep screws organized by step, magnetic project mats are highly recommended.
• Never force connectors. Use a spudger to gently lift ZIF, FPC, and board-to-board connectors.
• If your Mac has a swollen battery, do not attempt removal yourself, contact a professional.

Model Identification

Model Number(s)

A1278

EMC Number(s)

2554

Order Number(s)

MD101LL/AMD102LL/A

Identifier(s)

MacBookPro9,2

Product Line

MacBook Pro

Year

2012

Essential Tools

Pentalobe P5 screwdriver (1.2mm)
Torx T3, T4, T5, T6 screwdrivers
Phillips #00 screwdriver
Spudger (nylon)
Suction cup(s)
Anti-static wrist strap (ESD)
Tweezers (angled)
Guitar picks / opening picks
Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
Thermal paste (Arctic MX-4 or equivalent)

Need Professional Help?

Our Apple Certified Technicians can handle any MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) repair. Free diagnostics, 1-year warranty on all parts.

Related Models

Pro Retina 13" Late 2012

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Pro Retina 13" Early 2013

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Pro Retina 13" Late 2013

2013

Pro Retina 13" Mid 2014

2014

Pro Retina 13" Early 2015

2015

Pro 13" 2TBT3 2016

2016

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) repair questions answered

The MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) dates to 2012 as model A1278 and Apple publishes an official service manual for it, which is the document referenced on this page. We list 71 service parts for this model, and every part we fit is a genuine Apple part. Our work is covered for one year on brand new parts and 180 days on pre-owned parts and board-level repairs. We are in Tampa, walk-ins are welcome with no appointment, and you can also book a mail-in repair from anywhere in the country.

What are the model numbers for the MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)?

The MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) dates to 2012 and carries model number A1278, with the internal identifier MacBookPro9,2. You can confirm yours from the Apple menu, About This Mac, or by reading the tiny model number printed on the base. Quoting that number when ordering parts is the only reliable way to avoid a part that looks right but does not fit, since Apple ships several variants that look identical.

Can the storage or memory in a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) be upgraded?

The MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) is an Intel Mac from before Apple soldered everything down, so on many configurations the storage and sometimes the memory can be upgraded, and an SSD upgrade is often the single most transformative repair on a machine of this age.

What are the most common repairs on the MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)?

The jobs we see most on the MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) are ram upgrade, hdd/ssd upgrade, battery replacement, fan replacement. Apple rates this model's service difficulty as easy, and we diagnose every machine on a bench supply and under a microscope before quoting, so you get a fixed price for the actual fault rather than a guess. Diagnosis is free.

Do you use genuine parts and what warranty comes with a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) repair?

Every part we fit is a genuine Apple part, which keeps features like True Tone and the factory calibration working correctly. Brand new parts carry a one-year warranty, and pre-owned parts and board-level repairs carry 180 days. We are in Tampa, walk-ins are welcome with no appointment, and we repair machines mailed in from anywhere in the country.

If your MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) will not power on or was hit by liquid, it needs a board-level diagnosis rather than a parts swap. Call us on (813) 444-5595 and we will tell you what we are seeing before any work starts.