Following in the footsteps of the 15-Inch “MacBook Pro with Retina Display” models, the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro line packs a beautiful high-resolution LED-backlit 13.3″ widescreen 2560×1600 (227 ppi) “retina” display in a case that weighs just a bit more than 3.5 pounds (1.62 kg).

Unfortunately, also like the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, the 13-Inch models use an essentially “sealed” design with RAM that is soldered in place and cannot be upgraded after purchase (and can not be upgraded even at the time of purchase), storage that is not intended to be upgraded after purchase, and a battery that is not intended to be replaced by end-users, either.

This specific model — the MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.9 13-Inch (Late 2012 Retina Display) technically is a “configure-to-order” configuration of the MacBook Pro “Core i5” 2.5 13-Inch (Late 2012 Retina Display), but also is documented as a separate model for reader convenience. Other than processor (and the corresponding larger level 3 cache), these two models are identical.

The MacBook Pro “Core i7” 2.9 13-Inch (Late 2012 Retina Display) features a 22 nm “Ivy Bridge” 2.9 GHz Intel “Core i7” processor (3520M), with dual independent processor “cores” on a single silicon chip, a 4 MB shared level 3 cache, 8 GB of onboard 1600 MHz DDR3L SDRAM (which cannot be upgraded at all), 128 GB or 256 GB of flash storage, an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system, as well as an integrated 720p FaceTime HD webcam. It does not have an internal optical drive.

Connectivity includes 3-stream AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0, two USB 3.0 ports, two “Thunderbolt” ports, an HDMI port, an audio in/out port, and an SDXC card slot. It does not have Gigabit Ethernet or Firewire “800,” although adapters are available at extra cost.

In addition, this model has a backlit keyboard, a “no button” glass “inertial” multi-touch trackpad, a “MagSafe 2” power adapter, and an internal, sealed battery that provides an Apple estimated 7 hours of battery life.