This is the next generation MacBook Pro
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 11, 2012 1:26 PM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
- Mac
- Apple
- WWDC 2012
Alongside updated Ivy Bridge MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models, Apple is introducing a third member of its notebook lineup. This is the next generation MacBook Pro with Retina Display. It's priced at $2199 (8GB memory, 256GB SSD) and available starting today.
Internally the next-gen MacBook Pro features a 2.3GHz quad-core Core i7 CPU (likely Intel's i7-3615QM, turbo boost up to 3.3GHz, 6MB L3 cache). NVIDIA's Kepler based GeForce GT 650M comes standard with 1GB of memory. There's no 802.11ac support, the next-gen MacBook Pro features 3x3:3 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0.
The new unibody shell is just 0.71-inches thick and weighs 4.46-lbs. The big feature of the next-gen MacBook Pro is its Retina Display. Available in one size configuration at 15.4-inches, the new panel is a 2880 x 1800 IPS model. Apple is boasting up to a 75% reduction in glare and reflections. The display is now integrated into the unibody, allowing Apple to remove its cover glass.
The MacBook Pro with Retina Display ships with OS X Lion but features updated apps (Mail, iPhoto, iMovie, Safari) for proper DPI scaling to deal with the higher resolution display. Final Cut Pro and Aperture will also receive updates for Retina Display support.
Apps have to be updated to take advantage of the display, however pixel doubling is supported for scaling those that haven't been updated.
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ssj4Gogeta - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
I think you misunderstood what ImSpartacus said. The display physically is still 2880x1800, and the GPU still "pushes" 2880x1800. It's just that some UI elements have to be increased in resolution (pixels) to keep them the same size on the screen (inches).A 100x100 button on a 2880x1800 screen will be a quarter the size in area of a 100x100 button on a 1440x900 screen. It will therefore have to be made 200x200 to keep it the same size, so that it is easily clickable.
ssj4Gogeta - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Ah, thanks. zappb confused me because the screen should still be "full resolution capable" regardless.Windows lets you change the DPI setting in increments of 1. It would be really stupid of OS X to not include such a basic setting.
headbox - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
In anticipating comments about cost: stop letting the world know how cheap/broke/underpaid you are. Do you complain about the cost of a Rolex, a Ducati, or a Porsche too? Even if you can't get that through your thick skull, think about resale value. As a percentage of purchase cost, an Apple product retains value higher and longer than any other electronic part. A 3yo Macbook Pro will still fetch $1,200-1,800 depending on specs, and people will line up to buy it. Your Dell/HP/Lenovo becomes a paperweight after you list it on craiglist for 3 months. Who's the smart buyer now?MadMan007 - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Depends upon how much absolute value each one loses, if it's the same then they are both equally smart purchases. Also, paying less means more money to utilize elsewhere. I'd like to say people would save or invest it but...Zodd - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Mac's arent the Porsche of the computerworld, their the same volvo with a shiny finish and only one pedal.sonelone - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Your analogy is slightly problematic. If Macs were the volvos, then netbooks would be like bicycles. Here's a slightly more accurate analogy:Bugatti Veyron: Alienware+Origin+Asus gaming laptops(Power and looks, low mpg)
SSC Tuatara: New MBP 15
Ferrari F12berlinetta: Samsung Series 7, HP Envy 15, Old MBP 15
Porsche: Ultrabooks, MBA, Smaller MBP
BMW 7 series: Dell XPS, Asus N Series
Toyota Camry: Large Budget Laptops
Honda Civic: Small Budget Laptops
Tata Nano: Netbooks
Zodd - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
What i meant by the analogy, is that mac's use the same hardware inside as other manufactures. There's nothing special about them.ImSpartacus - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
A laptop isn't a box with hardware in it. If you're looking for that, there are ~$1000 laptops with quad core CPUs and capable discrete graphics.For the rest of us, the screen, keyboard, trackpad, battery life, connectivity and build quality matter. And since you correctly mentioned that computing hardware is mostly comparable, the only place for non-pricing differentiation is in the above areas.
So, as most things in life, this comes down to personal needs.
Zodd - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
The only thing that's better is the display and the only reason apple started using them is because people will buy their laptops and accessories even if they take an insane profit like their 92% profit compared to BOM on ram.ImSpartacus - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
"Anybody can go buy the processors from Intel, but even the track pads from these companies can’t match Apple."That's from an analyst in a Wired article ( http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/06/macbook-pro... ) and I think it sums up the reason that Apple makes some of the best laptops on the market.
The screen is not the only meaningful point of differentiation from other laptops. The quality of the keyboard or the build quality might not make it onto a nice little comparison table, but they matter.