Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro Coming in October?
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Just in time for Apple to get all the money from the people that have to have the newest thing out. 
Apple is really smart with the way they release their products. I bet there are a lot of people buying the 15 just because it has that screen even though they would prefer the 13 inch size.
Apple is really smart with the way they release their products. I bet there are a lot of people buying the 15 just because it has that screen even though they would prefer the 13 inch size.
The GPU. An Intel HD4000 GPU will not be good enough for the resolution of such a laptop, simply put. There needs to be a more potent GPU for this, but space constraints are going to be a big impediment to Apple's ability in putting in a better GPU. Also, knowing Apple we can say that the MBPr 13 will probably be thinner than it's non-retina counterpart, which makes space constraints even worse.
In my opinion, eGPUs need to come into play. Thunderbolt allows this to happen, but where are the devices?!
No one is disputing that Intel graphics suck the big one, but Apple can (and I think will) do a 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display using the HD 4000.
Consider that the HD 4000 has had its maximum resolution upgraded to 2560x1600 - coincidentally, the exact resolution of a pixel-doubled theoretical 13" MBP.
Also consider that the new 15" MBP still supports automatic graphics switching, meaning that Apple is conceivably using the Intel GPU to drive the display when the desktop is set to one of the two supported less-than-native resolution settings.
There may not be enough power there do any games justice at native resolution, but I think there's enough to drive the Mac desktop.
The 13inch is too small for my needs.
But hey, there are many who would like this so go for it I guess. Also, it is probable that it will have discrete gpu to power that display.
Or they might just drop the 13inch pro and just beef up the airs. That would be better in my opinion.
But hey, there are many who would like this so go for it I guess. Also, it is probable that it will have discrete gpu to power that display.
Or they might just drop the 13inch pro and just beef up the airs. That would be better in my opinion.
Having just ordered a 13" Air for the next 3 years, that is a conundrum.
However:
1. I really like the weight of the 13" MBA and almost considered the 11" except for the shorter battery and smaller screen wouldn't work. (I have a 27" iMac so this isn't a main) But I would be really curious what they got the weight to. Less than 4 lbs??
2. As much as I really like the idea of the screen, I don't have Pro needs, and I think the MBA weight advantage over the MBPr could be a deciding factor, but the screen would probably win out.
3. But the price, I think people are right, you are looking at $1,699-$1,799. I doubt $1,899 but I think that would be more plausible than $1,599. Maybe next year when the current 13" and 15" MBPs go away you would see $1,599 or even $1,499 for the 13" and $1,899 or $1,999 for the 15". Those screens gotta be pricey now though.
However:
1. I really like the weight of the 13" MBA and almost considered the 11" except for the shorter battery and smaller screen wouldn't work. (I have a 27" iMac so this isn't a main) But I would be really curious what they got the weight to. Less than 4 lbs??
2. As much as I really like the idea of the screen, I don't have Pro needs, and I think the MBA weight advantage over the MBPr could be a deciding factor, but the screen would probably win out.
3. But the price, I think people are right, you are looking at $1,699-$1,799. I doubt $1,899 but I think that would be more plausible than $1,599. Maybe next year when the current 13" and 15" MBPs go away you would see $1,599 or even $1,499 for the 13" and $1,899 or $1,999 for the 15". Those screens gotta be pricey now though.
The GPU. An Intel HD4000 GPU will not be good enough for the resolution of such a laptop, simply put. There needs to be a more potent GPU for this, but space constraints are going to be a big impediment to Apple's ability in putting in a better GPU. Also, knowing Apple we can say that the MBPr 13 will probably be thinner than it's non-retina counterpart, which makes space constraints even worse.
In my opinion, eGPUs need to come into play. Thunderbolt allows this to happen, but where are the devices?!
I was actually browsing some laptops and Sony seems to have a few thin laptops with an "NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE" specifically designed for thin laptops, in 1GB and 2GB models, but with a slightly slower core clock than the regular 640M. It can push monitors up to 3840x2160 and should be able to play games like Diablo 3 at medium/high if the comparisons to the 635 or 555 are true.
Might be the best bet for such a laptop. Unless something else is planned to come out between now and then that would be a better option.
Edit: TB external GPUs are too gimpy or too expensive (or both), so just a gimmick at best to date.
What is really amazing is that my unibody 2008 13" MacBook is 4.5 lbs. The current 13" MBPs are 4.5 lbs. The current 15" MBPs are 5.6 lbs. And they shaved off 1.14 lbs to get the 15" MBPr down to 4.46, less than a 13" MBP. Not sure they can get that much off a 13" MBPr, we're talking 3.36 lbs. But probably in the 3.75 to 3.95 range.
Won't be cheap ! And I'm not sure if I will opt for this if there is still no dedicated graphics ... in saying that I have a feeling that apple my finally include a dedicated graphics card in this model. May be wishful thinking but they need to do something to discriminate it from the 13' air.
The mid range i5 13" MBA costs $1499. I'm not even sure that a retina 13" would cost $1500, probably $1700
I call bullcrap.
What is the point of announcing a new line of (slightly) updated MBPs, expecting people to buy them, only to release an updated retina MBP 13" model towards the end of the year, when the people who need or want a 13" apple computer will have already gotten a pro or air?
What is the point of announcing a new line of (slightly) updated MBPs, expecting people to buy them, only to release an updated retina MBP 13" model towards the end of the year, when the people who need or want a 13" apple computer will have already gotten a pro or air?
What about the 13" Air
Give me a 13" Air. I don't care if the battery life is cut a bit. I just want my perfect laptop: an Air with an IPS panel (even an increase in resolution should be secondary to that).
Give me a 13" Air. I don't care if the battery life is cut a bit. I just want my perfect laptop: an Air with an IPS panel (even an increase in resolution should be secondary to that).
I call bullcrap.
What is the point of announcing a new line of (slightly) updated MBPs, expecting people to buy them, only to release an updated retina MBP 13" model towards the end of the year, when the people who need or want a 13" apple computer will have already gotten a pro or air?
The reason is that some people will still buy the legacy style MBP because they either want those legacy items (DVD, FW port), or they want a machine that can be upgraded in the future. As evidenced by the iFixit tear down, these retina MBPs are not meant to be upgraded post-purchase.
The other differential is price. The supposed 13" retina MBP will probably clock in higher than the $1499 legacy MBP, but slightly less than if that machine was fully loaded.
This article really should be required reading: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5998/macbook-pro-retina-display-analysis
The new Macbook can be set *above* 1440x900, to either 1680x1050 or 1920x1200. I've seen this first hand, and the screen looks great and usable at those resolutions. I expect the 13" screen would also be scalable in a similar manner (perhaps to 1440x900 and 1680x1050).
Last edited:
I still don't see why Apple couldn't wait for the initial rush of the new Macbook Pro R to die down. Then once that initial rush has ended streamline their line up like they have done in the past.
The 11 & 13" Air become just the Macbook (dropping the Air)
The 13" & 15" "Legacy" Macbook Pro are dropped from the line up completely.
Then spec bump the 13" "Air" line with retina display and graphics card, rebranding that the new 13" Macbook Pro.
The word retina is dropped from the 15" name so its just the good old Macbook Pro again.
Worst case scenario they build a 13" shell similar to the new 15" but now they have done all that design with the Air design i can't see the point. Just make it more efficient.
Yes it does mean that we only have technically 4 models of Macbook/Pro out there with variable spec bumps but it may work.
The 11 & 13" Air become just the Macbook (dropping the Air)
The 13" & 15" "Legacy" Macbook Pro are dropped from the line up completely.
Then spec bump the 13" "Air" line with retina display and graphics card, rebranding that the new 13" Macbook Pro.
The word retina is dropped from the 15" name so its just the good old Macbook Pro again.
Worst case scenario they build a 13" shell similar to the new 15" but now they have done all that design with the Air design i can't see the point. Just make it more efficient.
Yes it does mean that we only have technically 4 models of Macbook/Pro out there with variable spec bumps but it may work.
Just in time for Apple to get all the money from the people that have to have the newest thing out.
Apple is really smart with the way they release their products. I bet there are a lot of people buying the 15 just because it has that screen even though they would prefer the 13 inch size.
I almost fell into that trap when I saw how gorgeous it looked in person. But I will definitely not be carrying around a giant machine like that, so my sensible side took over and decided to wait.
To the people who talk about the graphics card, I think the 13" MBAr will HAVE to have dedicated graphics. Not because the intel stuff won't power the display (they will do just fine) but because that will become one of the few differentiators between that and the MBA.
Think about it. Two 13 inch laptops, neither has an external drive, both have similar ports, both are even within the same thickness and not too far away on weight.
The only thing that would make them different is the display and processor. Not good enough! Throw in the distinction of having dedicated graphics (that are game-worthy) and now you got 3 reasons to upgrade to the 13" MBAr over a souped up 13" MBA.
Otherwise, Apple might as well forget going through the hassle of a new model and just add a retina display to the MBA and profit.
Price look right
all is left now is to Dream the Macbook Pro 13" retina
and let these rumours feed off it
all is left now is to Dream the Macbook Pro 13" retina
and let these rumours feed off it
I hope this is true as this would be the perfect portable for me. Either way, I'm sure Apple will release a 13" Retina MacBook Pro at some point in the future, I just hope it's sooner than later.
QFT.
Thanks to the Pro moniker on components that already have nice margins, removing the GPU, reducing the screen size and selling people an unnecessary quad core we will have all these people in the thread banging on for one.
The Air is what you really want. I can't think of a modern use case where the size of the RMBP is justified over that of the modern Air just because of the quad core, REALLY? Heck, on my the 2011, Air I was converting H264 video at comparable speeds to my my desktop's Core 2 Quad Extreme 3.0Ghz in Handbrake. Someone that's planning on buying one help me out here. What do you need the speed over form factor for??? (That wouldn't push you up to a 15")
I was personally kinda hoping for Retina Airs, but mostly for 8gb 512mb 15" Airs...and I got it by the way of the new RMBP so I'm happy, but I will be way more happy when it arrives!!
Last edited:
OMG 3 choices for a 13 inch laptop, that is really confusing, poor customers
In the coming future, it will be very simple for people who get confused like yourself during the purchase/selection process. Apple will most likely condense the lines into 1. During the customization process they will most likely allow the customer to chose the type of display, and done. Kinda like they used to do with the Matte option. Eventually, you won't have any other choice, but Retina.