Apple Confirms Retina MacBook Build-to-Order Pricing for 1.3 GHz Processor

[whatever77]

You know Apple fans are spoiled when they think a 3.4 pound laptop is "heavy" lol

Carrying a laptop from meeting to meeting, airports etc etc. It makes a difference. Mac or Windows every lbs saved is noticeable. I pack light, use a light briefcase, avoid paper notebooks etc etc..

 

[hans1972]

I have a 27" iMac, a 15" rMBP and a iPad mini. When I travel, it's for business and I almost always need to use the standardized ports on that rMBP. If my travels were not for work, I could probably get by just fine with that iPad mini. I don't need to buy a 12" second laptop to fill some conceptual gap for my own needs.

The new Macbook will replace the 11" MBA and maybe even the rMBP.

Almost everything I do is wireless at customer sites so there is very little need for connectivity. In those cases where I do need ports it is for Ethernet, VGA, DVI and HDMI (seldom), which would require me to have dongles both with my current MBA and rMBP.

The solution has always been the same: I keep a spare power cable and dongles at often visited sites so that I do not have to bring them along.

Using the new Macbook changes almost nothing compared to how I use the MBA/MBP today.

And I will be using the new Macbook for even running virtual machines with Windows, even running 2-3 at the sametime on occasion.

 

[brinary001]

This is just a Chromebook or an iPad with a desktop OS on it and the minimum hardware needed to run such. However, this minimum hardware has the maximum price attached to it, which is just BS. It's almost like Apple was worried about it not selling well and overpriced it to compensate for those who didn't buy it. Just a theory though...

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

hans1972, you keep quoting me and posting like I'm trying to talk you out of it. Buy the MB. It sounds perfect for your needs. Enjoy it! I'm glad they made it for people just like you.

And good luck running 2-3 virtual machines at the same time. I hope it does that exceedingly well for you.

 

[hans1972]

So you are willing to sacrifice a better CPU and GPU, ports, SD card slot, HD webcam and a larger display for just a retina display and then pay an extra $350 at minimum to do it? Your money but wow

Yes, without a doubt. My biggest concern is in fact the keyboard. If I do not like it I will not buy it even for half the price.

And yet, you do not only get a great display, you also get a great screen and less size and weight.

CPU: It is good enough for my needs. I plan to run several Windows virtual machines, even two of them at the same time without any problems. If I do need to something very CPU intensive I would do that on my iMac.
GPU: Nothing I do require GPU power.
Ports: Almost everything I do, I do wireless. At customer sites, if I do need ports it is for Ethernet, VGA and DVI which would require a dongle with the current Macs also.
SD Card: Use them maybe twice a year. On those occasions I can use my iMac since it is the machine where I do my photo editing.
Webcam: Hate webcams. I would even pay extra not to have one.

I would even choose to get a worse CPU if I could get better battery capacity.

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And good luck running 2-3 virtual machines at the same time. I hope it does that exceedingly well for you.

There are so many that are up in arms about the CPU performance and it will be able to handle quite a lot of different workloads.

I had the 2010 11" MBA with a Core2Duo with 4Gb RAM and had no problems running two Windows 7 virtual machines. Even 3 virtual machines were possible (1 XP, 2 Win7), but performance would suffer. With 8Gb RAM and a faster SSD, I see no problems for my virtual machines.

 

[unplugme71]

Base model is fine with me although its priced like crazy. I guess you pay to have less - in both speed and size.

However, the MBP 13" is too heavy/bulky for the amount I will carry it so paying a premium for this is actually beneficial.

Then again, the MBA is spec'd better and cheaper.

 

[hans1972]

hans1972, you keep quoting me and posting like I'm trying to talk you out of it.

I am quoting you since I disagree with almost everything you write about this new Macbook, especially when it comes to CPU performance.

I see no need to respons to people I agree with.

 

[KPOM]

This is just a Chromebook or an iPad with a desktop OS on it and the minimum hardware needed to run such. However, this minimum hardware has the maximum price attached to it, which is just BS. It's almost like Apple was worried about it not selling well and overpriced it to compensate for those who didn't buy it. Just a theory though...

Check out the price of the HP Elitebook 1020 and get back to us. The bottom line is that this is the latest technology with the new keyboard and trackpad along with a higher resolution screen. Apple is charging a premium for it, but that's nothing new.

 

[RockSpider]

Yes, without a doubt. My biggest concern is in fact the keyboard. If I do not like it I will not buy it even for half the price.

And yet, you do not only get a great display, you also get a great screen and less size and weight.

CPU: It is good enough for my needs. I plan to run several Windows virtual machines, even two of them at the same time without any problems. If I do need to something very CPU intensive I would do that on my iMac.
GPU: Nothing I do require GPU power.
Ports: Almost everything I do, I do wireless. At customer sites, if I do need ports it is for Ethernet, VGA and DVI which would require a dongle with the current Macs also.
SD Card: Use them maybe twice a year. On those occasions I can use my iMac since it is the machine where I do my photo editing.
Webcam: Hate webcams. I would even pay extra not to have one.

I would even choose to get a worse CPU if I could get better battery capacity.

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There are so many that are up in arms about the CPU performance and it will be able to handle quite a lot of different workloads.

I had the 2010 11" MBA with a Core2Duo with 4Gb RAM and had no problems running two Windows 7 virtual machines. Even 3 virtual machines were possible (1 XP, 2 Win7), but performance would suffer. With 8Gb RAM and a faster SSD, I see no problems for my virtual machines.

You are deluding yourself, I run a Core I7 Mac Mini late 2012 with 10 GB ram with Windows 8.1 on Bootcamp, tried running Windows 10 on a virtual machine and it slowed down to a snails pace, so then I tried Windows 8.1, same thing. I think you're going to be hugely disappointed unless you just like slow machines or don't really know what it's like to run a decent computer.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

There are so many that are up in arms about the CPU performance and it will be able to handle quite a lot of different workloads.

I had the 2010 11" MBA with a Core2Duo with 4Gb RAM and had no problems running two Windows 7 virtual machines. Even 3 virtual machines were possible (1 XP, 2 Win7), but performance would suffer. With 8Gb RAM and a faster SSD, I see no problems for my virtual machines.

Great! Good for you!

I am quoting you since I disagree with almost everything you write about this new Macbook, especially when it comes to CPU performance.

Again great.

For the official record, let it be known to all that hans1972 disagrees with almost everything I've written about this new MB in this thread.

All others who also disagree, good for you too. Enjoy your new MBs! I'm happy for you and Apple too.

 

[RockSpider]

hans1972, you keep quoting me and posting like I'm trying to talk you out of it. Buy the MB. It sounds perfect for your needs. Enjoy it! I'm glad they made it for people just like you.

And good luck running 2-3 virtual machines at the same time. I hope it does that exceedingly well for you.

I know, he's in for a shock.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I don't see how. Apple can do no wrong to some. If it can't run 3 virtual machines at the same time, it will certainly be the virtual machine's fault.

 

[RockSpider]

I don't see how. Apple can do no wrong to some.

I know, I think it's a religious type thing, I buy a fair bit off Apple stuff but I don't find all their stuff that good I want to buy it, just some of it and after checking it out.
Like my iPad Air, it was good when I first bought it, but with all the new upgrades Safari repeatedly reboots or just sits there with a page half open, so this will probably be my last iPad after having 4.
My Mac Mini has slowed down considerably and the latest ones are garbage, so I probably won't be buying anymore of them either.
I was going to replace my ATV 3 but Apple isn't going to support 4k, so that looks like the end of that as well.
All the latest stuff is going backwards, and me, well I like speed over prettiness, as far as I can see, unless something changes drastically at Apple they've pretty well lost me as a customer, and I buy a lot of stuff.

 

[douglasf13]

I know, I think it's a religious type thing, I buy a fair bit off Apple stuff but I don't find all their stuff that good I want to buy it, just some of it and after checking it out.
Like my iPad Air, it was good when I first bought it, but with all the new upgrades Safari repeatedly reboots or just sits there with a page half open, so this will probably be my last iPad after having 4.
My Mac Mini has slowed down considerably and the latest ones are garbage, so I probably won't be buying anymore of them either.
I was going to replace my ATV 3 but Apple isn't going to support 4k, so that looks like the end of that as well.
All the latest stuff is going backwards, and me, well I like speed over prettiness, as far as I can see, unless something changes drastically at Apple they've pretty well lost me as a customer, and I buy a lot of stuff.

Oddly enough, I've purchased over a dozen Apple phones, tablets and computers for my family and business, and the Macbook will only be the second time I've purchased a first generation production at release. In fact, I often buy refurbished.

 

[ColdShadow]

Have you not learned that Apple isn't just about specs and haven't been for a while

That's not the case here,the new Macbook performance is equal to 2011 Macbook Air,while the asking price is more than the 2015 Macbook Pro.
That's not acceptable.
Or are you going to argue it's fine to lower the specs of a 2015 model to 4 years old model just because it's now slimmer and have more attractive body?

 

[KPOM]

You are deluding yourself, I run a Core I7 Mac Mini late 2012 with 10 GB ram with Windows 8.1 on Bootcamp, tried running Windows 10 on a virtual machine and it slowed down to a snails pace, so then I tried Windows 8.1, same thing. I think you're going to be hugely disappointed unless you just like slow machines or don't really know what it's like to run a decent computer.

Do you have an SSD or a hard drive? If it's a hard drive, there's your answer right there. Also, what were you running? I use Windows to run Quicken since the Mac version is bad. Apart from the lack of proper support for retina (which is on Intuit, since Windows has the proper support now), it works just fine on a rMBP, and worked just fine on a MacBook Air before that. I'm sure it will be OK on a new MacBook. I wouldn't run anything too complex since that 4.5W processor can't run at full speed all the time, but occasional use should be OK.

The MacBook isn't intended for CPU-intensive tasks, but most people don't run CPU-intensive applications that often.

 

[ColdShadow]

How did it perform when you used it for your usual computing tasks?

According to tests,it performs just like the 4 years old 2011 Macbook Air.
But the price is more expensive than 2015 Macbook Pro. just because it has a more beautiful casis.

 

[KPOM]

That's not the case here,the new Macbook performance is equal to 2011 Macbook Air,while the asking price is more than the 2015 Macbook Pro.
That's not acceptable.
Or are you going to argue it's fine to lower the specs of a 2015 model to 4 years old model just because it's now slimmer and have more attractive body?

The HP Elitebook 1020 has the same 2011 specs and costs more than an Elitebook 820 that has the same processor as the 2015 MacBook Air and a lot more ports.

The Core M is a 4.5W processor vs. 15W for the processors in the MacBook Air. It's all Intel's got that can go into a fanless PC right now, unless you go with an Atom, which is even slower. Intel will have a significantly improved version late this year when they switch to Skylake, but the 1.3GHz Core M with 2.9GHz Turbo Boost is as fast as it gets.

Also, the GPU in the Core M performs better than the GPU in the 2011 MacBook Air. Otherwise it couldn't drive the Retina display. The MacBook is not a speed demon, but it isn't intended as one. It's not for everyone, which is why Apple still sells the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. In case you didn't notice, Apple updated those with the latest processors, and gave the MacBook Pro a Force Touch trackpad, as well, so they didn't ignore those who need something more powerful.

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According to tests,it performs just like the 4 years old 2011 Macbook Air.
But the price is more expensive than 2015 Macbook Pro. just because it has a more beautiful casis.

And a screen with nearly 4 times as many pixels as the 2011 MacBook Air (or current MacBook Air, for that matter). It also has a better trackpad and weighs about 25% less than the 11.6" MacBook Air while getting comparable battery life.

 

[ColdShadow]

The new Macbook will replace the 11" MBA and maybe even the rMBP.

There is no way a toy fashion netbook like the new Macbook can replace rMBP.unkess your computing needs are limited to word processing and updating facebook.
it's a 1.1 Ghz CPU that perfomance wise equals to Macbook Air of 4 years ago.
comparing it with a MBP is like a joke really.

 

[RockSpider]

Do you have an SSD or a hard drive? If it's a hard drive, there's your answer right there. Also, what were you running? I use Windows to run Quicken since the Mac version is bad. Apart from the lack of proper support for retina (which is on Intuit, since Windows has the proper support now), it works just fine on a rMBP, and worked just fine on a MacBook Air before that. I'm sure it will be OK on a new MacBook. I wouldn't run anything too complex since that 4.5W processor can't run at full speed all the time, but occasional use should be OK.

The MacBook isn't intended for CPU-intensive tasks, but most people don't run CPU-intensive applications that often.

I'm running on a 1TB HDD, I know I could speed it up with an SSD! But then I'd have to put in two drives, which I just can't be bothered doing.
I use mine as an entertainment centre so I need a lot of room and power for transcoding movies etc.
I love Quicken, I've been running it since 1997, but you can run that on an old Netbook which I do.
I can't see the sense in spending so much money on a computer if you don't need the speed.

 

[OneMike]

Apple appear to be targeting a very odd market. The pretentious, nouveau-rich crowd.

People must be insane to spend this amount of cash on an underpowered laptop! Pretty it may be, but just like the Apple Watch, they seem to be going for a different market.

That's the best way to put it.

Between specs, price vs pro/air and lack of ports. I don't find anything appealing about it.

I'll be curious to see what the trend is for who purchases this.

 

[douglasf13]

I think people will be very surprised once they see this thing in person. The 11" MBA is already tiny, and the new Macbook is smaller and 25% lighter.

 

[Mainsail]

I have 2014 MBA, so I will probably not buy this iteration of the new MB. I think the price is going to come down just as the MBA price dropped. With the new MB, Apple made numerous design changes and innovations, so it will be a while before they start getting economies of scale.

I understand that some folks do not like many of the new design elements, but it really is about changes that Apple believed necessary to make the thinnest and lightest laptop possible. This is Apple's vision of what a portable laptop should be. They just don't buy into the hybrid or touch screen laptop. It's a matter of matching the UI to the operating system. You may disagree with Apple's vision, but that's how they see it.

So, when I read about complaints regarding the power of the processor, I understand the concern, but this was the compromise that Apple made to have a fanless system, which was an essential element in their design goals. If you remember the launch video, a laptop's fan takes-up a huge amount of room in the chassis. The battery is another important element in reducing the bulk and weight of the laptop, so a low power chip was essential.

These changes facilitate an incredibly light and thin laptop, but Apple ran into other limiting factors.....size of ports, keyboard travel, trackpad design.....and they engineered around these constraints to make the lightest and thinest possible laptop.

Many of these design elements involve some compromises, but I have no doubt that the new MB will be wildly successful and other computer manufactures will be copying it very soon.

 

[C-Dub]

I have been waiting for the retina air for more than a year now ams this was the result. Anyways I am now a happy owner of the latest Retina MacBook Pro that was released with this device.

same here, been waiting on a retina macbook air until finding out the MacBook's benchmark is is comparable to a 2011 MBA. Decided to pickup a 2014 8GB/256GB rMBP for less than $1k instead.

 

[aristobrat]

I mean, the Air was an actual computer. This is just a tablet's logic board bundled with a buck load of batteries, with a keyboard slapped on it and a screen attached.
Aside from the 8 gigs of ram and the extra capacity this is a tablet...

The original Air was a real computer? It used a 4200 RPM HDD like what was in the freaking iPod Classics.

Here is a quote from the Engadget review. Sounds pretty much exactly like what people are saying about the new MacBook.

The Air simply doesn't have the power to be many users' primary machine, while also lacking many of the features considered necessity by business travelers

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/25/macbook-air-review/