new MacBooks announced, including a "retina display" model

[Dendy Jarrett]

MacBook with Retina Displays released!

Not sure how I feel. I can say the retina display on the iPad is a World of difference.

These are about $500 extra for the Retina display on the macbook pros.

Probably well worth the money especially if you crunch video or picture editing.

D

 

[haven]

New MacBook models

MacBook Pro with "Retina" display -- $2200 ($2800 with optional upgrades)
15.4 inch 2880x1800 screen, 220 pixels per inch
(Previous 15 inch MacBook Pro display is 100 pixels per inch)
no touchscreen
2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 quad-core processor (2.7 GHz optional)
NVIDIA GeForce GT650M graphics
8GB of RAM (16 GB optional)
256 GB solid state disc (512 GB optional)
2 Thunderbolt ports (10 Gbit/second)
2 USB 3.0 ports (5 Gbit/second)
Width and Height 14.13 x 9.73 inches [same as previous)
Thickness 0.71 inches (25% thinner than previous models)
weighs under 4.5 pounds.
95 WH battery 7 hours of battery life

ethernet port is via optional Thunderbolt adapter

Current generation of MacBook Pro 13 and 15 inch models continue
all receive upgrades to third generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors
prices remain the same, $1200 - $2200

17 inch MacBook Pro discontinued

 

[RobRed]

Ordered.


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[haven]

So who is the intended customer for the new MacBook Pro? It seems to me that it's a graphics professional who wants a portable version of an iMac. The 15 inch Retina display displays more dots than a 27 inch iMac. The Thunderbolt port would allow an external hard drive of large capacity to be quickly attached.

 

[nwoods]

So who is the intended customer for the new MacBook Pro? It seems to me that it's a graphics professional who wants a portable version of an iMac. The 15 inch Retina display displays more dots than a 27 inch iMac. The Thunderbolt port would allow an external hard drive of large capacity to be quickly attached.

Lol, it displays more dots than does a 60" HDTV! 30% more appearantly.

I am the target market. I like the Air, but lament its lack of connectivity, card reader, serious processor, and the non-HD facetime camera. The new MBP looks awesome, though I'd gladly give up an expensive thunderbolt port for a simple ethernet port. I also wish the new MBP had a good wireless (3G/4G/LTE) radio chip for working in a non-WiFi area, but alas, no. Still not quite after the corporate market, but close. Workable, if not perfect.

 

[RobRed]

I would say I'm the target audience.

http://robertredmond.com

 

[haven]

Here's a comparison of Safari browser, updated to take advantage of the "retina" display, with Google Chrome, which is not yet optimized for the display. Chrome looks a little fuzzy, like using an old pair of glasses.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/12/3079887/retina-display-new-macbook-pro-apps

And here's a post that's how's more about the five resolutions you can choose for the "retina" display
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5998/macbook-pro-retina-display-analysis

I read somewhere that you can attach one or two large external monitors to the MacBook Pro. So add stock market traders to the list of people who will want a MacBook Pro.

Apple's apps and Abobe Photoshop have been updated to use the "retina" display. [Correction: Adobe is working on a Photoshop upgrade.]

 

[haven]

Reviews are starting to roll in.

"...it's hard not to recommend the new MacBook Pro with Retina display. If, however, power isn't your ultimate goal...MacBook Air."
http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/13/3082649/macbook-pro-review-retina-display-15-inch

"The new Pro is good enough to make the old Pro (even the updated version) look and feel obsolete. It pushes and redefines the category..."
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/13/apple-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review

"best Mac ever..." Technical review with details about how Apple got the retina display to work
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review

 

[haven]

The folks at iFixIt have torn down the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display. The battery takes up most of the insides.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-with-Retina-Display-Teardown/9462/1#.T9ivxvHCM0w

 

[nwoods]

...The battery takes up most of the insides.

And also poses the most concern. It appears to be a non-replacable battery. Does that make the computer a $2800 paperweight if the battery craps out? There is a better than average chance that your battery will last less than 3 years....and its glued in. This is concerning.

 

[RobRed]

MacbookPros haven't had replaceable batteries in three years.

Apple has done quite a bit of engineering of those batteries - they are not off the shelf specials. To your point they are service replaceable.

 

[nwoods]

MacbookPros haven't had replaceable batteries in three years....To your point they are service replaceable.

I am having difficulty reconciling this. My wife's 2 year old MBP had a failing battery that was replaced. It was done in the Apple Store, under warranty, and it took maybe ten minutes. iFixit confirms this:
Pick your year and model: http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro
2010 15" MBP pictured:

So when iFixit now says that the new battery is a major PIA to replace, and will likely break other components in the process, I get pretty concerned....

Refer to steps 7, 9 and 21, here:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook-Pro-with-Retina-Display-Teardown/9462/1#.T9lG4LWvJ8G
2012 15" MBP Retina pictured:

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

If taking the battery out means that much to you, you could always use a heat gun on the other side. The batteries would all but fall out. It looks like the SSD will be replaceable once someone comes up with a 1TB solution for it. I like it but I'll wait a few years and let the price drop and storage increase.

 

[RobRed]

Nwoods let's clarify

Replaceable: A battery intended to removed by the end user without tools

Serviceable: A battery capable of being replaced in service mode by a qualified service provider using tools.




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[nwoods]

Nwoods let's clarify

Replaceable: A battery intended to removed by the end user without tools

Serviceable: A battery capable of being replaced in service mode by a qualified service provider using tools.

Ah, I see the distinction. Thanks!