Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I decided to wait on the retina display.. classic display is more than adequate, and I don't want to give up the optical drive, and have non-upgradable RAM.
13 inch MacBook is enroute to delivery.
 
quad core vs dual

I am frustrated that the 13 can only be made with a dual core... not much benefit over the air. I need something that will crunch... wish it would be 13". 15" is just so big for travel, etc.
 
Students need the "Pro" model?

Why exactly?

Because "pro" doesn't mean much in this context. None of the MBPs get mobile xeons or workstation graphics card like the workstation laptops from other brands. And performance wise, the 13" MBP isn't any more powerful than low-end consumer laptops sold by Dell, etc...

So the better question is, why shouldn't a student buy a MBP if they're after the other benefits (long battery life, good build quality, and more expansion ports than the air.)
 
I herd that it will be release in 2013 not 2012 ..

what do u think? are you sure it will be release in October ?
cause I cant wait more
 
[...] As for renders, I've spent anywhere between 5min - 100hours on a single render. From my understanding, most architecture students with massive project deliverables just send their files to render farms, maybe I should look into that!

ZOMG! Man, that's a lot of CPU cycles.

----------

Did you read his link ?

Last I checked, Autodesk and Apple don't belong to Adobe. Their only common point is they all have a capital A as the first letter of their names.[...]


I should have said "Aha. Like the Adobe bloatware problem."

Happy now? Are we all square, bro?
 
Hmmmm...

My current 2012 13" MBP got a score of 7931.
Wouldn't you hope that the retina version would get a better score?(ssd vs hhd)
:/
 
mckayla-not-impressed-template.jpeg
 
apple are screwing themselves over by not releasing it in August when the school semester starts. There are going to be a lot of students who would purchase this but releasing it in october is going to be too late.

retina 13 will be priced around $1600 range if pricing of retina 15 was any indication. Students usually git entry level MBP 13 at $1100. retina in it's initial launch is an experimental model to test market reception. Not geared towards studens as it is at the moment. Maybe in a year when the price comes down a bit but knowing apple....may take 2. I expect october launch of 13 rMBP.
 
Display resoluion would be what? 2560 x 1600 or 2880 x 1800?

It won't be the same resolution as the 15" rMBP unless they update the 15" rMBP to have a higher resolution than it currently has at the same time that they announce the 13" rMBP. Anything else would be poor marketing.

My guess would be 2560 x 1600, which makes sense given the old MBP was 1280x800.

But what about the video card? Will it come with a discrete video chip and if so, which model?

Removing the optical drive, and replacing that space with thinness doesn't exactly allow for much room for a discrete GPU. If anything, you'd see a much weaker version of NVIDIA's Kepler than you currently see in the GeForce GT 650M in both non-retina and retina 15" MacBook Pros today.

apple are screwing themselves over by not releasing it in August when the school semester starts. There are going to be a lot of students who would purchase this but releasing it in october is going to be too late.

Apple isn't screwing themselves over as it's not like those same customers aren't spending the same money on the current 13" MacBook Pro. Most consumers don't care about when in the Apple refresh cycle they buy their product; if students need to buy their computers now, then they'll buy them now regardless of whether or not Apple updates the line afterwards.

I think it's a little obvious that you said obvious twice in the same sentence. :p

You are clearly not aware of all internet traditions.

With all the complaints in regards to lag in both the OS and scrolling on the retina mbp (i have one myself) i don't see how a 13" without a discrete graphics card would be able to deal with it. Also, it would be hard to fit a discrete one whilst maintaining the 7 hr battery time. I call hoax!

First off, the retina display in a 13" retina MacBook Pro wouldn't carry the same maximum resolution as the one in a 15" one. It'd carry a smaller one. Secondly the Intel HD 4000 is, in theory, able to drive that display just fine on its own as that GPU is capable of driving monitors with similar if not higher resolutions (albeit with much larger physical panel sizes and less PPI; but that ought to not matter). Therefore, in theory, no discrete GPU needed. Though if they were to do one, odds are it'd be a drastically weaker form of NVIDIA Kepler than the GeForce GT 650M in use in the 15" MacBook Pros.

Maybe the 13" rMPB will have a dedicated GPU and not just the intergraded one.

Unlikely. Not enough room.

Having seen a current gen Macbook Pro 13, the screen is really nice. I am not convinced the super hi-resolution laptops are truly worth the extra cost for most people.

The screen on those machines is nice, but it really could be better, especially compared to other 13" notebook displays out there. Hell, Ultrabooks are coming out with a 1920x1080 (1080p for those of you playing the home game) resolutions. And for the price of a 13" MacBook Pro, Apple had better be stepping up the screen resolutions a bit.

Well damn, I just bought one for college :(

Good news, bro! It'll still be as amazing a computer when and if these rumored models come out!

So what happens when the day comes and you have a 13 inch Retina Macbook Air and Macbook Pro?

Something has to go.

They'll probably merge them together and call it the "MacBook". So they'll have one 11.6" machine called the "MacBook Air", one 13.3" machine called the "MacBook" and the 15.4" machine called "The MacBook Pro, all ultra-thin and ultra-light, all carrying Retina displays, no optical drives, mSATA SSDs and soldered RAM. Not the future I'd like to see, but I wouldn't be shocked seeing it.

My friend used to work at Apple R&D. He's waiting to buy this because he said he confirmed it's coming out for sure.

That's kind of like saying "My friend used to work for Apple and he says that the next Mac that Apple releases will have an Apple logo on it somewhere." Paging captain obvious! With retina displays on every iPhone, iPod touch, iPad and now on the 15" MacBook Pros (deemed the "next generation of MacBook Pros" as compared to the current non-retina model), it's pretty obvious that every device with an integrated screen that they make will eventually make the transition to having some display that they could market as being "retina". So yes, the 13" retina notebook from Apple is DEFINITELY coming, it's only a matter of when and in what form.

lol that intel gpu is going to struggle

No it won't. Or at least, it theoretically shouldn't.

Its a shame apple is not releasing it before the back-to-school program ends. As a University student who is waiting to upgrade from an 08'Macbook Pro 13... Its very annoying. Also most students at least in my university(An Engineering focussed one) prefer the 13 pro over the air due to the upgradability option after purchase. I hope they dont make it like the 15rMPB where DIY upgrades are impossible.

While they could've easily just not modified the design of the 15" MacBook Pro when putting the retina display inside, you can guarantee that this is very much a move to push to that design. The MacBook Air popularized it and now Apple's doing it with the 15". While they could put out a 13" MacBook Pro that has the retina display but is otherwise identical to the current model, as to ease the college crowd's transition away from built-in optical drives, my guess is that they won't and the 13" rMBP and/or 13" rMBA will adopt this new design. Really sad. But that's Apple for ya. That said, as far as 13" machines go, the current Ivy Bridge 2012 13" MacBook Pro is a fine machine and one you will be happy with.

Superdrive taken out?

While not necessary, that kind of move is extremely likely given their statements in announcing the 15" rMBP at WWDC.

they will remove the dvd-r AND replace the current HD into on-board flash drive so we will have plenty of room for discrete graphic card while keeping the whole thing smaller.

That's not how the laws of physics work. You can't remove the optical drive, use the extra space gained to make it that much thinner and then pop in a discrete GPU. It doesn't work that way. Even if they put one in, it'd be so crappy in performance that it'd be comparable to the HD 4000 and at that point, what's the point?

I dont see how they can launch the 13" version when the 15" is still full of bugs and being returned by a huge percentage of unsatisfied customers.

Can you cite proof of this?

Most students moving to school, (presumably) living on their own would lose their minds without a disc drive.

This is sadly true. College campuses are where kids, bringing their laptops, need an internal optical disc drive. They could get by with an external, but I know that most wouldn't prefer it.

I am hoping that at least will be an option! I really want the 13" screen size and I'm prepared to pay for the best model. But if the 13" won't offer quad-core and 512GB SSD it's gonna be hard to decide... I'm guessing at least the 512GB SSD will be available as the current 15" is configurable up to 768GB.

And by the way. I really don't think they will launch this with only Intel HD4000.

If they launch it before Haswell, odds are that it will launch with only the HD 4000 as there is no room for a discrete GPU. Quad-core CPUs area also out of the question for the time being. Sorry to burst your bubble. On the bright side, 512GB SSDs are totally within the realm of doability.

I don't think a retina display MacBook Pro 13 inch would have a disk drive. Wouldn't it copy over from the 15 inch MacBook Pro?

Likely, they'd keep the designs aligned. But there's nothing about the retina display itself that requires that the other changes made to the rest of the machine also be made to the 13" model.

However nice you might think the current screen is, the display on the rMBP is not a subtle upgrade. And it's hardly fair to compare the price of a rMBP to a regular MBP. MBPs still come by default with spinning drives and such, there are more benefits than just the (insanely great) screen. You get twice as much RAM and SSD right out the gate.

...Aaaand that lovely glued-in battery that becomes a fire hazard if at all punctured! Gotta love that upgrade! Also the proprietary screws on the bottom case and the soldered RAM! Best improvements ever! /sarcasm

And 13" MBPs have 2 fans I believe...

Incorrect; only one fan; just like its polycarbonate MacBook ancestor.

A discrete GPU would be a requirement baring an unannounced Intel processor.

With the Intel HD 4000 theoretically being able to drive the 15" retina display, let alone non-retina displays with the same resolution, I fail to see what makes you think a 13" model will have this requirement.

According to the geekbench output in the article, it only has a dual core processor. I thought the 15" had a quad core.

13" non-retina MacBook Pro has dual-core CPUs too. What makes you think that a retina 13" MacBook Pro with Ivy Bridge internals would be any different?

I find this result pretty hard to believe. Dual core (same as the Air) in the 13" Pro (same as the air)? If they go with integrated graphics as rumored, then there's barely any difference apart from the display and the processing power is half that of the Macbooks released earlier this year.

Again, it'd be on par with the current 13" MacBook Pro in the same vein that the 15" retina MacBook Pro is on par with the 15" non-retina MacBook Pro in terms of processing power.

mean while the 15" retina has been proven to have frame rate issues and that has an nvidia chipset.

Im from planet earth, lol at you:cool:

It's called "software problems". They do have those on Planet Earth, you know.

I actually returned 4 24" ACDs in the days because I couldn't get a perfect one. Finally just got my money back. Apple is bad with displays.

Four?! Dear heavens, man! That's a lot of defective 24" Apple displays! Did they at least let you lemon it? I got to do that once with a Late 2006 MacBook (that I bought on eBay), they replaced it for free with a Mid 2010 white Unibody MacBook which I then sold to save for the 15" MBP that I'll be pulling the trigger on soon. Good investment that was.

Could be, but mine is driven by an iMac with an AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2048 MB so I don't think it's the GPU that is the issue.




Compared to any other 27" monitor, I value all the extras the ATD gives me over the second of blankness, but to each their own.

It's true, but for how much money you pay for that thing, you ought to have it working. If you have enough problems and replace enough models, you can complain to customer relations and they'll see to it that you get a brand new one for free or that you are compensated somehow for your losses.

I dont care why discrete GPU is called all the time web surfing but it is. The ML upgrade did nothing to change that. And if you think Apple put out a rMBP that struggles w/opening & scrolling in FaceBook, no chance.

I really don't care what causing the problem nor did say was a pixel problem. But did say it's not resolved, wont be and don't think Apple go half-ass with 13 rMBP w/o graphics processor. My rMBP isn't that bad or would returned it but no way Apple releases one w/o external GPU. Clearly the 15' rMBP been in design phase for years now and issue isn't resolved(because pushing hardware limitations). And god-for-bid you do any gaming what-so-ever then external GPU is on all the time.

BTW.. Nothing personal on your pixels and video card mumbo jumbo but I take AnandTech 15+ page review and me owning a rMBP over your conjecture. Honestly how much you want to bet a software upgrade doesn't resolve this and hardware does..

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review/8



What did I originally say..


You are making a statement disregarding the cause of the problem and are then making a statement as to what you think should prevent it with a 13" model or with a future 15" model. The hardware isn't the problem, the problem is software. You can't disregard this fact while making your own theory as to the solution and have your theory be at all valid. I'm sorry. As for anandtech, this is a machine that they praise until the cows come home. Their review of the non-retina model made them seem like poor buying choices by comparison. While I appreciate their opinion, this doesn't help me determine whether or not I'd like the non-retina model, comparisons against the retina model aside. But still, you might want to get some of your facts straight.

I decided to wait on the retina display.. classic display is more than adequate, and I don't want to give up the optical drive, and have non-upgradable RAM.
13 inch MacBook is enroute to delivery.

That's a good call. I'm about to do the same with a non-retina 15" model in a week or two. Assuming this is the last generation of those models, I figure by the time we replace our respective MacBook Pros, we'll be ready for the new changes brought about by these models, and my guess is that most Mac developers will have had time to develop support the retina PPI ratings of the new displays. Because really, what's the fun in getting a new Mac and finding that all of your third party software looks like crap?
 
no not coming this year..

It's actually very possible. Apple did it in the past releasing the 15 in MBP (Jan 2006) then the 17 in version just 3 months after. This time it could be 15 in first (June 2012) then 13 in (Oct 2012). Not saying that it will be definite but it's possible (plus I'm hoping 'cause I've been wanting one lol)
 
It won't be the same resolution as the 15" rMBP unless they update the 15" rMBP to have a higher resolution than it currently has at the same time that they announce the 13" rMBP. Anything else would be poor marketing.

1440x900 on the 15" MacBook Pro and 1440x900 on the 13" MacBook Air says you lie. ;)

----------

It's actually very possible. Apple did it in the past releasing the 15 in MBP (Jan 2006) then the 17 in version just 3 months after. This time it could be 15 in first (June 2012) then 13 in (Oct 2012). Not saying that it will be definite but it's possible (plus I'm hoping 'cause I've been wanting one lol)

They did it again with the Unibodies in 2008. October 2008 introduced the 13"/15" Unibodies, Jan 2009 introduced the 17". Then June 2009 (8 months!) saw the renaming of the 13" unibody to MacBook Pro with re-added Firewire.
 
Will apple say anything about this device in September 12th ?

Why don't they release it with the iphone 5 ?
 
I am frustrated that the 13 can only be made with a dual core... not much benefit over the air. I need something that will crunch... wish it would be 13". 15" is just so big for travel, etc.


Maybe they'll push the "pro" aspect and start offering the 13" with a quad core. Though like discussed, the cooling (and probable need for a faster, discreet GPU) will get tricky with the smaller chassis.

Even if it is thinner (per the rMBP specs), I would think the extra space from removal of the optical would give the engineers enough room to provide cooling to support the faster CPU/GPU.

Side note: I'd love to see a Mini offered with a quad core + 650M. That would make a wicked little "desktop" or HTPC/gaming machine.
 
Maybe they'll push the "pro" aspect and start offering the 13" with a quad core. Though like discussed, the cooling (and probable need for a faster, discreet GPU) will get tricky with the smaller chassis.

Even if it is thinner (per the rMBP specs), I would think the extra space from removal of the optical would give the engineers enough room to provide cooling to support the faster CPU/GPU.

Side note: I'd love to see a Mini offered with a quad core + 650M. That would make a wicked little "desktop" or HTPC/gaming machine.

A part of me doubts that they'd make the 13" as powerful as its bigger brother, unless they price it very close as well.

I could see them taking a middle ground approach. Dual core CPU w/ a discrete GPU. Or perhaps they could stick in the 3612QM since it takes less power than its bigger brothers.
 
GAH! I'm about to pull the trigger on the purchase of a much needed replacement laptop for the office. I was going to go with a 13" MacBook Air, but now................?

Thanks for the heads-up, MacRumors staff. You may have just helped avoid a possible case of buyer's remorse. :)
Literally ordered a 13" MBA last night. Now I'm wondering if I should return it and wait for this. I really really really wanted the rMBP, but just couldn't justify the price for my needs. The 13" rMBP would be the sweet spot I think.

Only question is how long are we waiting here...
 
It's true, but for how much money you pay for that thing, you ought to have it working. If you have enough problems and replace enough models, you can complain to customer relations and they'll see to it that you get a brand new one for free or that you are compensated somehow for your losses.

It blanks for one second once a day so to me, it is working, but maybe I have a higher Threshold of Annoyance. :) Heck, I haven't noticed it for a couple of days so maybe it's doing it while I'm away from the screen. :)

If it constantly did it, I'd certainly be hauling it back to the Apple Store. And from what I have heard, it seems to be an issue with all ATDs, so bringing this one back for a replacement would probably not solve the issue and might raise something new (like a yellowed screen or backlight leaking or such).
 
Literally ordered a 13" MBA last night. Now I'm wondering if I should return it and wait for this. I really really really wanted the rMBP, but just couldn't justify the price for my needs. The 13" rMBP would be the sweet spot I think.

Only question is how long are we waiting here...

I was in the same boat as you. I've cancelled 2 MBA purchases, and made a 3rd purchase just last Thursday the night before this rumor.

I need a computer right away, and I can't afford to wait that long, even though I think it would be the perfect machine for me. I'd rather upgrade in a year's time to the 2nd gen rMBPs, and save the stress of anticipation!
 
You are making a statement disregarding the cause of the problem and are then making a statement as to what you think should prevent it with a 13" model or with a future 15" model. The hardware isn't the problem, the problem is software. You can't disregard this fact while making your own theory as to the solution and have your theory be at all valid. I'm sorry. As for anandtech, this is a machine that they praise until the cows come home. Their review of the non-retina model made them seem like poor buying choices by comparison. While I appreciate their opinion, this doesn't help me determine whether or not I'd like the non-retina model, comparisons against the retina model aside. But still, you might want to get some of your facts straight.

What facts are you talking about? Do honestly think if you put a upgraded GPU in rMBP would still be sluggish? Are you saying a hardware upgraded can't fix problem? :) Anandtech says the solution is the hardware needs to be upgraded? Are you saying you know better then Anandtech?

rMBP been in design phase for years and haven't figured out a software fix yet? That because there isn't one. ML made it alittle better as software upgrades generally do. But did it total resolve the problem not even close because it is a hardware issue. Why don't read the anandtech I included. http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review/8

----------

It's actually very possible. Apple did it in the past releasing the 15 in MBP (Jan 2006) then the 17 in version just 3 months after. This time it could be 15 in first (June 2012) then 13 in (Oct 2012). Not saying that it will be definite but it's possible (plus I'm hoping 'cause I've been wanting one lol)

here's problem with that.. in order to do that it needs a discrete video card until Haswell comes out(next spring/summer). I thinking they wait for Haswell and go just an internal video card(cut cost). Otherwise that don't and uses a discrete video card and it's higher price point. But it is a guess.

What is not a guess is if they do release rMBP 13' it will have a GPU in it and be a little on expense side.
 
Last edited:
I was in the same boat as you. I've cancelled 2 MBA purchases, and made a 3rd purchase just last Thursday the night before this rumor.

I need a computer right away, and I can't afford to wait that long, even though I think it would be the perfect machine for me. I'd rather upgrade in a year's time to the 2nd gen rMBPs, and save the stress of anticipation!
Haha. All part of being an Apple fan I guess. The wait can be maddening.
 
Can't wait! Once I hear the reviews which I'd imagine will be very positive, I'll jump on it!
 
1440x900 on the 15" MacBook Pro and 1440x900 on the 13" MacBook Air says you lie. ;)

Hahaha...fair point; though that's not the non-retina 15" MBPs maximum. You can configure it with a higher resolution. But that being said, it's obvious that the current design of MacBook Airs and the non-retina unibody design of MacBook Pros weren't meant to co-exist for too long.

It blanks for one second once a day so to me, it is working, but maybe I have a higher Threshold of Annoyance. :) Heck, I haven't noticed it for a couple of days so maybe it's doing it while I'm away from the screen. :)

If it constantly did it, I'd certainly be hauling it back to the Apple Store. And from what I have heard, it seems to be an issue with all ATDs, so bringing this one back for a replacement would probably not solve the issue and might raise something new (like a yellowed screen or backlight leaking or such).

Still though, the more they get complaints, the more their teams will realize the need for either a fix, a repair extension program, or a firmware update to either the computers or the display itself.

What facts are you talking about? Do honestly think if you put a upgraded GPU in rMBP would still be sluggish? Are you saying a hardware upgraded can't fix problem? :) Anandtech says the solution is the hardware needs to be upgraded? Are you saying you know better then Anandtech?

I have read the article you are referring to. It says that the retina MacBook Pro is pushing the limits with its current hardware AND software configuraion. They say nothing about it being un-usable and they say nothing about it being a GPU limitation. Given that non-retina 15" and 17" Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Pros can drive two 27" Thunderbolt displays (which themselves aren't that much less resolution than the native resolution of the 15" rMBP's display) at once in addition to its own internal display, I fail to see how the 15" rMBP could be pushing the limits of hardware. It's not like a 15" non-retina MacBook Pro with two 27" Thunderbolt displays hooked to it is pushing less pixels total than a 15" retina MacBook Pro with nothing hooked up to it. If anything, it ought to be pushing more. Put that in the pipe that you and Anandtech are sharing and smoke that.

rMBP been in design phase for years and haven't figured out a software fix yet? That because there isn't one. ML made it alittle better as software upgrades generally do. But did it total resolve the problem not even close because it is a hardware issue. Why don't read the anandtech I included. http://www.anandtech.com/show/6023/the-nextgen-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-review/8

It's called "Rev. A syndrome". It's a condition where the first of a new design of Macs is always more flawwed, troubled, or unpolished than the updates to come thereafter in the same design. It happened with the first aluminum PowerBook G4s, the first MacBook Pros after the switch to Intel, the first Unibody MacBook Pros, and now with the first retina-enabled ultra-thin design of MacBook Pros. I'm not surprised that there are problems and you shouldn't be either.

----------

[/COLOR]

here's problem with that.. in order to do that it needs a discrete video card until Haswell comes out(next spring/summer). I thinking they wait for Haswell and go just an internal video card(cut cost). Otherwise that don't and uses a discrete video card and it's higher price point. But it is a guess.

What is not a guess is if they do release rMBP 13' it will have a GPU in it and be a little on expense side.

The 15" rMBP is designed to run on the HD 4000 graphics in battery saving mode. Whether it does this successfully or not is another matter. The 13" would-be rMBP will NOT carry the same resolution as the 15" and thusly will be pushing fewer pixels and will not need to be powered by as beefy of a hardware.
 
And they call them MacBook Pro's... :rolleyes:
The Mac Pro is the only REAL Pro computer...
I can't believe Apple is gearing towards consumers and forget the pros that sustained their business since 1984... :mad:


Your assuming that a "Pro" is a editing video all day on these devices...

There are many more "Professionals" who use these devices for other things such as:

  • Programming
  • Science/Lab work
  • Music creation
  • Graphic work
  • Etc

Trust me as someone who is a computer programmer by trade looking at code all day long, a retina display definitely helps lessen the strain on my eyes.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.