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Yes, but it's still crappy IGPU any way you slice it. But then, I guess Apple assumes (probably correctly for the most part) if you want something in the 13" range that's extremely thin and light, you're not looking for a graphics powerhouse.

Although, assuming that's the case, I'm not sure why you'd choose Retina vs. 13" Air, except for the pretty screen. With what you can configure in terms of CPU/RAM for either model, I'm not sure the Retina will give you THAT much more horsepower for anything truly "Pro".

I have an 11" Air, which I love. But I've never had a problem with the "old" 13" MBP form factor. In fact, I liked it a lot. Just small/light enough, but could throw in a huge/fast SSD and 16GB RAM. My complaints were the crappy GPU and even crappier resolution. I'm fairly certain they could have fit a discrete GPU in there. And I'm positive they could have put a higher resolution LCD (seeing as how, they already sell a 13" laptop with a higher resolution screen).

I don't care whether it's "retina" by their definition. Put a discrete GPU and 1680x1050 LCD in the current 13" form factor, and it's instant buy.

Trouble is in the 13" form factor a discrete GPU is going to generate too much heat and kill battery performance. This is why I would have liked to see it loose the optical drive, go only slightly thinner (ie thinner display) and add a discrete GPU with bigger battery rather than making it super thin which for this size of machine is not of much benefit over the Air. Though I have to wonder, in this size machine who is going to be doing lots of graphic intensive work. The HD4000 is capable of multi stream HD video and only really lacks in 3D performance. I would have liked to see more RAM as an option but again as a developer I have very specific needs and Apple probably have a load of market research pointing to the spec they have just introduced. After all the 15" rMBP sold like hot cakes and I suspect this one will as well.
 
This is the Post PC Era, the Mac portables are becoming appliances in exchange for thinner design, lighter weight, and a highly integrated & proprietary configuration. This is a fact and we must deal with this...
 
So now there's no more disc drives... Etc and they're lookin thin'n'fit...

Why exactly would one buy a MacBook Air over a MacBook Pro 13 inch???

Is there a difference anymore? What is the point of the MacBook airs now?

Thinner, (slightly) lighter, (over half a pound) less expensive (~$500). You can't compare Apples to Apples entirely (no pun intended) because the procs don't line up exactly. But by the time you put an i7 proc in both, and put 8GB of RAM in the MBA, it sells for $1999, while the rMBP 13" sells for $2599. I'll put that $500 into larger (512GB) storage, and carry the lighter model, thank you very much. Unless someone is looking for the horsepower of the faster proc, they would be well advised to do the same.
 
This is the Post PC Era, the Mac portables are becoming appliances in exchange for thinner design, lighter weight, and a highly integrated & proprietary configuration. This is a fact and we must deal with this...

I don't see pcs going anywhere. Maybe absent from Apple's product line, but they will still be available for those that believe form follows function.
 
Sad to note that there are a mere 8 memory chips on the logic board, thus the 8GB limit isn't an artificial one, I hoped apple was just holding back so they could cave and offer it later though if the fundmenetal design has half the space for memory that that 15" retina does that seems like it will be a constant with future revisions.

Sad.
 
They sure do. They cover repairs for Mac, PC, as well as cameras, homes, cars, game consoles, etc.

Re: obsession... I liken it to the obsession some have with [say] BMW. What BMW is doing regarding engineering, innovation, build quality, etc. is probably a little more discussion worthy than [say] Honda. And I say that as a proud Honda owner. :D
Hyundai considers Honda to be quite innovative. That's why they copy Honda religiously. And I say that as a proud Hyundai owner.
 
That's because Apple has soldered the RAM on to make it impossible to upgrade yourself, they wan't you to throw away your Macbook and buy a new one when you need better performance.

But yes, of course i know that the RAM is soldered onboard. What i'm criticizing is:
1) the 13" rMBP doesn't allow for the 16GB option
2) the 16GB on the 15" is only available as a BTO ..

Makes no sense to me ...

----------

You realise how stupid that is what you are saying?

RAM updates are now done exactly the same way as processor upgrades were always done: Via eBay.

Most perfect sarcastic-but-true comment ever!! :p
 
People are failing to realize the most important thing about this teardown..... KITTENS!!
 
Any word on the Fusion drive thing? Some thought it might be facilitated by a mobo chip. I'm hoping it's software only & that it can be back ported to older macs.

I have £130 waiting to be spent on a Samsung 830 256gb SSD for my 2009 whitebook if so. (My current 500gb hdd is full & will go in the optical bay).
 
the people have spoken with their wallets that repair-ability is not a deal breaker when buying a new mac.. mac sales have grown yr over yr. some individuals may disagree, but overall sales have climbed
 
The fact of the matter is that 99% of the people who buy these computers don't care about upgrading their computers.
 
I hope many of these improvements are applied to the upcoming haswell 15" rMBP. Faster hardware to support the retina display and a more thought out machine would make the 15" rMBP more desirable.
 
Now 100% more repairable!!*
*Than the 15-Inch Retina MacBook Pro

Applecare is the answer to all your problems. Might not like it but better option to save your expensive rMBP.

This is the cost of fitting so much in such a small machine. The downside to technological evolution. To the average consumer it won't make a difference though.

Seems like APPLE has at least made an effort to address some earlier criticisms about the 15" rMBP; had to chuckle about that 100% improvement.

Does iFixit ever take apart computers other than Macs? It seems like their obsessed with Apple.

That is kind of a compliment, but there must be others taking apart different companies' hardware.

iFixit, why you mad bro? Business bad?

LAWLZ. :)
 
Any word on the Fusion drive thing? Some thought it might be facilitated by a mobo chip. I'm hoping it's software only & that it can be back ported to older macs.

I have £130 waiting to be spent on a Samsung 830 256gb SSD for my 2009 whitebook if so. (My current 500gb hdd is full & will go in the optical bay).

Definitely not hardware. 10.8.2 is required. A new version of Disk Utility is required. What else, nobody knows. _If_ it works, and your 500GB is full, 128SSD + 1TB is probably better for less money.


Of course EPEAT will give this machine a glowing report.

That's because these machines are very recylable. If you know how to do it. For example, removing the battery from 15" rBMP safely for recycling takes two minutes with the right tools; iFixit took 15 minutes.
 
So we all know the English guy heads Apple's design team and makes things that look all shiny. But who actually designs the innards and makes it all fit together in the way it does? That's quite an impressive bit of design.
That's SIR English Guy to you! The same team that designs the outside designs the inside and you're right, it is impressive.

By the way...his name is Sir Jonathan Paul "Jony" Ive.
 
You realise how stupid that is what you are saying?

RAM updates are now done exactly the same way as processor upgrades were always done: Via eBay.

no - Ram update SHOULD be allowable. It give new life to an older computer.
Think of this scenario: You'd like to donate your laptop to a boys& girls club, church, etc. Normally, You'd reinstall the OS, and stuff it full of *then* cheap memory to give it a whole new life.

Now, you can't. The notebooks and new imac's that can't be upgradable will likely still have beautiful screens, etc. But they' never get the second life speed bump form cheap RAM.
 
Again beautiful machine and I wouldn't mind the lack of serviceability/upgradability if it was better configured to begin with. 128gb SDD standard, max of 8gb, no discrete GPU, no quad-core option... just weak.

I really wanted a 15" rMBP in a 13" package. This isn't it. Either Apple is unable to pack in higher features or just doesn't want to.
 
Well, thank god the kitty is included this time. :)

Looks like they realized glue wasn't the way to go for the battery. I wonder if they'll make a tweek to the 15" production at some point to remove the glue.
 
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