Apple Introduces 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display

[mkoesel]

I can't help but notice that there is pent up demand here for a small MacBook with big memory, processor, and GPU specs.

And why shouldn't there be? These are features that most of us expect in a "Pro" machine. We aren't necessarily wooed by some additional output capabilities (HDMI, 2xTB, digital audio), all of which can be achieved at relative low cost via small dongles or hubs, as compared to cranking up RAM and processing power which can't be had at any cost (unless you add some uncommonly functional thunderbolt device that will be so big it will defeat the purpose of having a small machine to begin with). The retina display, while no doubt fantastic in its own right, is simply not enough to break out the Pro card, and frankly I (and plenty of others it appears) are calling shannanigans.

Apple said at the media event that the existing 13" Pro has been their best selling MacBook. Ok, sure. But I have to wonder how much of that sales momentum is due to the optical removable media drive, and, to a lesser degree, the legacy FireWire and Ethernet ports, especially when you compare to the price and features of the Air which of course lacks those things. In many ways this machine is still the modern day successor to the original white MacBook which I still own one of, and did love for years. But now apple is dropping the legacy baggage and making this 13" machine decidedly more air-like. Lets watch and see how this works out for them. I am skeptical that it can maintain a selling rate advantage vs. the Air models.

Apple PR folks, if you are reading this forum, how bout considering the following. If you want to ditch legacy then fine. Great, even. But let's take this to its logical end. Give us a small Pro model that trades away the other bells and whistles of yester-year - HDMI and that SD reader (which you can also remove from the 13" Air too, lets be honest) as well as such goo-ga as dual mics and perhaps even digital audio out (I can get it with a cheap dongle if I need it), and even that second Thunderbolt port - and uses the freed up space and batter capacity to offer up those real juicy Pro features I mentioned earlier.

That is your entry MacBook Pro. I'm not asking you to kill off this snazzy new model you just broke out. Not at all. Keep that around. What to call it? I don't know... we've got MacBook Air already... why not call this one MacBook Flare? You'll still sell truckloads of them, it's just that you'll be more honest about it.

 

[iZac]

So no dedicated graphics card or quad core? it's just a fat MBA then?

 

[KnightWRX]

I still maintain that the difference between the Nvidia 9400M and the Intel HD4000 is minimal. I've got both computers and the difference just isn't that great. Maybe Civ V just isn't well optimized (and maybe the "Retina version" actually is).

I've had both the 9400m and now a 320m equipped MacBook. The difference is night and day, the 320m crushes the 9400m like no tomorrow.

The Intel HD 3000 was just barely able to keep up with the 320m, the HD 4000 is quite a few percent points over it.

 

[Macboy Pro]

I find it interesting that its still "IN STOCK" and shipping immediately on the Apple website

Priced WAY to high for a 13" laptop. Regardless of how great the screen may be, the 13" MBP is a consumer, entry level Apple laptop. $1199 is already high but tolerable for many. $1699 is ridiculous. The idea that 8GB of RAM ($30) and 128GB Flash ($80) justifies the extra $$ is not going to fly. Most people can't live with just 128GB storage and would be smart enough not to purchase a non-upgradeable, non-user serviceable laptop for that cost.

Apple is making a mistake by focusing on "thin" and trading that for being proprietary and non-serviceable. Folks think the current lines are thin, they do not need thinner but more power, and options. Apple has moved to less options (lack of ethernet and Superdrive) and traded that for the "WOW that is thin!"

Don't get me started on the iMac. Its cool to see but once you buy it, how cool will it really be? Not much of an upgrade over the 2011 model other then "WOW, that looks thin!" (at least from the angles they are showing us). It seems to be non-user serviceable for even memory on the 21" Are you kidding? You can't upgrade your memory in your desktop product? Just so you can make it look thin from different angles. Incredibly disappointing.

 

[Naimfan]

I find it interesting that its still "IN STOCK" and shipping immediately on the Apple website

Priced WAY to high for a 13" laptop. Regardless of how great the screen may be, the 13" MBP is a consumer, entry level Apple laptop. $1199 is already high but tolerable for many. $1699 is ridiculous. The idea that 8GB of RAM ($30) and 128GB Flash ($80) justifies the extra $$ is not going to fly. Most people can't live with just 128GB storage and would be smart enough not to purchase a non-upgradeable, non-user serviceable laptop for that cost.

(Emphasis added.)

Exactly correct. I think Apple has misjudged the market, though they'll never admit it. The pricing is obscene for what you get - the base 13" is an infinitely better value.

Best to wait for the next iteration of them, when Apple will perhaps stop taking the p*** on consumers and upgrade the storage, RAM options, and lower the price. At $1499 for 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage, OK. As they stand now, not a chance.

 

[ljnaum26]

So i was ready to pick up a 13" Rmbp but after reading all the hate on the intel 4000 i don't know what to do. I am not to familiar with computer internals so my question is this, Will the 13" with intel 4000 and 8gig ram be enough for me to run adobe photoshop and final cut/Hd video editing for the next few years. i really dont want a 15" but if it has wayy better performance i will get that instead.
Thanks

 

[Val-kyrie]

Disappointed but Expected

I'm not sure why so many people are so shocked at the specs and price in light of the leaks prior to the event. I have followed Apple's trends since the return of SJ and this makes sense, even if it is disappointing.

As to the specs: I really wish Apple would put a discrete graphics chip in the 13" (r/c)MBP, but I don't think this will happen for thre reasons: (1) Apple is afraid it will cannibalize their 15" MBP sales; (2) consumers may not feel the need to upgrade their 13" models as often if it possesses a discrete graphics chip thus resulting in lower [future] sales; (3) I believe Apple foresees a day when all of its computers will possess integrated graphics. As to this last point, I really do believe that Apple is pushing Intel to develop its graphics chips so it can eliminate the need for two graphics components in its products. Granted this may be some time in the distance, but I believe this is the vision of Apple.--Just a hunch.

To those who are upset about the proprietary nature of Apple's designs and the limited upgradability, I suggest you get used to it. I hate it, but I will have to get used to it too. I believe part of the reason why Apple is pushing thinner and more proprietary designs is because obviously limited upgradability drives more sales through planned obsolescence; however, proprietary designs are also necessary for Apple to retain the aesthetic which sells its products. This is tried and true form over function. I believe few people, barring the majority of MR members, will ever use an Apple computer to its full potential, so it is here in forums such as MR where we find the most complaints.

I think another reason is because Apple sees the day when a consumer will pick hardware and software based on a complete ecosystem. Granted Apple started this trend, but now Google (ChromeBook) and Microsoft (Win 8 tablets) are beginning to push their own ecosystems. MS especially is duplicating Apple's efforts with its own Win 8 App Store and a move toward tablet computing which can run Intel processors and graphics. I don't think one system will be completely exclusive from the others, but systems from Apple, Google, and MS will push consumers into unilateral purchases from a single vendor. Apple is looking toward the future of its business.

 

[SirHaakon]

The chip isn't struggling at running the pixels. The 2008 MacBook with a 9400m integrated GPU could run a 30" ACD with the same pixel count, 2560x1600, along with its internal display of 1280x800 just fine.

Define "just fine." For what applications, and at what framerates?

My experience with the rMBP has been underwhelming to say the absolute least. Whether it's software or not, something is struggling. And when I shell out $2.5K+ for a machine - especially one that touts the display as the standout feature - I don't expect it to struggle on simple tasks.

 

[Acorn]

I was excited about this machine then saw it had no dedicated graphics and was disappointed then saw the price and was even more disappointed.

Its cool i guess. im sure they will sell tons. just not to me.

 

[SanJacinto]

Did anyone notice that Bertrand Serlet was in attendance??

Me too. Great to see him.
Mrs. Jobs was in the audience as well.
Maybe Bertrand is back on the boat for (Mac) OS X 10.9?
Would be awesome.

 

[KnightWRX]

Define "just fine." For what applications, and at what framerates?

We're not talking about gaming. People are saying the rMBP "lags" when "scrolling" in a simple web browser. They say it's because of the GPU. Sorry, a web browser didn't lag in 2008 when scrolling on a 30" ACD from a Unibody MacBook.

The GPU isn't the culprit.

My experience with the rMBP has been underwhelming to say the absolute least. Whether it's software or not, something is struggling. And when I shell out $2.5K+ for a machine - especially one that touts the display as the standout feature - I don't expect it to struggle on simple tasks.

No one is saying it isn't, just that the GPU is not what is responsible for it.

 

[laomao]

I was excited about this machine then saw it had no dedicated graphics and was disappointed then saw the price and was even more disappointed.

Its cool i guess. im sure they will sell tons. just not to me.

Yes.
lower by $200 and I am in the market.

----------

We're not talking about gaming. People are saying the rMBP "lags" when "scrolling" in a simple web browser. They say it's because of the GPU. Sorry, a web browser didn't lag in 2008 when scrolling on a 30" ACD from a Unibody MacBook.

The GPU isn't the culprit.



No one is saying it isn't, just that the GPU is not what is responsible for it.

I never find scrolling issue. Could that be related to lack of memory for operation? Impossible HD4000 cannot handle browsing.

 

[george-brooks]

Indeed. The 15" rMBP is similar in that either model can be upgraded to the same max specs, though the base configurations of the 15" are distinguished by both processor clock and SSD size rather than the latter alone for the 13"

I actually like this marketing model. The higher spec SKU is just a "popular equipment package" in essence then, and is really only necessary to have something to stock at B&M stores for those who want to walk out the door with something more than the entry-priced model offers. Maybe it would be best - less confusing - if Apple just a single configurable model for the online store. I wonder if the software is smart enough to point you to the other SKU if you spec the base SKU model up to match it and then opt for in store pickup. I am guessing yes but I haven't tried it.

But either way I hope apple moves to this model for the rest of the Mac lineup. It takes the anxiety out of starting out with the base spec and makes the configuration process less arbitrary and esoteric as well.

That's true, I wasn't really thinking about the fact that retail stores rarely stock machines with BTO options beyond the most popular ones, and this gives customers at least some choice when not buying online.

 

[Michael Nathan]

freely downloadable, HD and higher, video demos, best on Retina displays

Perfect fit for Retina displays, check out vimeo.com/visualambrosia for freely downloadable demos, super HD. They’re surprising, unusual zoom-in/magnification motion animations of photorealistic 19th C. art prints, original prints published before the invention of color photography.

The clips are at HD, 2560 by 1440 pixel, 2880 by 1800, and even 4K, all in QuickTime.

The bit rate is high.

If you watch, send us a critique, to mnharris@rcn.com . We’re a novice start-up; we prize feedback.

Also, if anyone has video compression expertise, we're searching for better solutions.

The peculiar nature of the ambient decorative movie style we create is, by definition, a video compression challenge. (The master video files of a 2560 by 1440 pixel movie, before compression, are 5 gigabytes/second. The master files are NOT derived from RED camera footage, but from animating uncompressed high res scans in Final Cut.)

Michael

 

[gotluck]

I know I'm late to the party, but yuck at these specs...

Price is too high for this.

Retina display, great - that's about all this has.

 

[Idefix]

That is your entry MacBook Pro. I'm not asking you to kill off this snazzy new model you just broke out. Not at all. Keep that around. What to call it? I don't know... we've got MacBook Air already... why not call this one MacBook Flare? You'll still sell truckloads of them, it's just that you'll be more honest about it.

I like to call it the Retina iBook, since it's definitely not a Pro!

 

[Xiroteus]

For those complaining about pricing and lack of optical drive, the 13" MBP (non-retina) is still available at $1499 starting and can be upgraded with non-Apple parts. Perfectly capable machine.

If you want the Retina version, be prepared to pay the Apple Tax.

Point is some want both otherwise they likely would not bring it up.

 

[magbarn]

I find it interesting that its still "IN STOCK" and shipping immediately on the Apple website

Priced WAY to high for a 13" laptop. .... Incredibly disappointing.

Yup, either Apple has a HUGE stockpile of these things or they're not even selling to the same level the rMBP 15 did. The rMBP 15 was backordered for months following the announcement. Only months after the release could you walk into my local Apple store and pick it up in any of the 2 stock configurations.

 

[rprice54]

The 13" did separate me from some $$$- because I opted to spend $100 more (education pricing) on the 15"rMBP over the 13 with 256SSD- and I only use this to supplement my iMac, no way could I get along with 128. While I was at it I upped the RAM too. Now Apple has more of my money. This product works by making the 15" not look so pricey anymore. Added a $100 1TB USB3.0 drive (which has faster read writes than my iMac HDD) and this will be able to replace my iMac all together.

 

[ben.]

Alright just some quick help guys. I keep hearing about the haswell processor, and I'm wondering if this new processor was something that we've been waiting for for a while, or if the next new one will just come another year after haswell. Will there be that much of a difference? I had a mid-2009 15" MacBook Pro whose harddrive crapped out on me. 128 GB is more than I used, and it had 4 gigs of 1066 MHz ram. I definitely want a 13" that I'm going to use mainly for college, but I'm not an art or film guy or anything like that. Also, I'm a sucker for a great screen and am OK with paying a slight premium for it. So, does the 13" rMBP make any sense for someone like me?

 

[2IS]

Alright just some quick help guys. I keep hearing about the haswell processor, and I'm wondering if this new processor was something that we've been waiting for for a while, or if the next new one will just come another year after haswell. Will there be that much of a difference? I had a mid-2009 15" MacBook Pro whose harddrive crapped out on me. 128 GB is more than I used, and it had 4 gigs of 1066 MHz ram. I definitely want a 13" that I'm going to use mainly for college, but I'm not an art or film guy or anything like that. Also, I'm a sucker for a great screen and am OK with paying a slight premium for it. So, does the 13" rMBP make any sense for someone like me?

Haswell isn't out. The rMBP is using Ivy Bridge. Odds are, the next one will use haswell, but obviously no one but Intel and Apple know this for sure.

As far as a slight premium, I think every Apple owner is ok with paying a slight premium, they'd have to be if they own Apple products. I think much of the issue here is that the premium is more than slight considering what you get.

 

[ben.]

Yeah, I see that it's kind of a lot for just a screen. And I meant that I know the haswell chipset will probably be in the next one, but will I be kicking myself for not waiting? I forget how often these new chipsets come out, and I'm just wondering if its accepted that haswell will bring significant changes to the overall experience for someone not concerned with editing and the like, or if its just going to change everything as much as every general refresh does. Thanks!

 

[Fandongo]

Why cant we get 16GB of memory? This is a total deal breaker for me.

And no 3632QM--2.2GHz Quad core
And no GPU.
And dangerously close to 15" rMBP $$$.

I don't think they realized the 13" was purchased by cost-conscious consumers.
That's why it did so well.

The 15" is geared toward pros (who want power/gpu). I don't know who the 13" is targeting... Idiots?

----------

Alright just some quick help guys. I keep hearing about the haswell processor, and I'm wondering if this new processor was something that we've been waiting for for a while, or if the next new one will just come another year after haswell. Will there be that much of a difference? I had a mid-2009 15" MacBook Pro whose harddrive crapped out on me. 128 GB is more than I used, and it had 4 gigs of 1066 MHz ram. I definitely want a 13" that I'm going to use mainly for college, but I'm not an art or film guy or anything like that. Also, I'm a sucker for a great screen and am OK with paying a slight premium for it. So, does the 13" rMBP make any sense for someone like me?

Save $1400 and get a refurb iPad 3 + Bluetooth keyboard?
There will always be new chips. I like the size of the 13", but it's a significant premium for what it is.

 

[2IS]

Yeah, I see that it's kind of a lot for just a screen. And I meant that I know the haswell chipset will probably be in the next one, but will I be kicking myself for not waiting? I forget how often these new chipsets come out, and I'm just wondering if its accepted that haswell will bring significant changes to the overall experience for someone not concerned with editing and the like, or if its just going to change everything as much as every general refresh does. Thanks!

Well rumors point to the largest change in Haswell being the IGP, and with "Retina" resolutions, I'd think you would want that.

 

[CWallace]

lower (the rMBP price) by $200 and I am in the market.

Upgrade a 13" MacBook Pro to 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD and you are within $200 of the 13" Retina MacBook Pro. If they sold for the same price, I expect the MBP without Retina Display would become superfluous.

Assuming Apple kills the MacBook Pro without Retina Display with the Haswell refresh, the cheaper MacBook Air 13" would then take over the position of the low-end MacBook Pro without Retina Display.