Apple Introduces “Next Generation MacBook Pro” with 15.4″ Retina Display, Starts at $2199

[KylePowers]

I noticed the small screw too, well my manager pointed it out to me, but if that is the case, do you think its both models? Because when ordering the 256, there is no higher version on the drop down, but if you get the 512 the 768 model is then available. So, does that mean 256 isn't mSATA? I will have to wait for the ifixit teardown before I decide which retian model to buy

That's a good observation. Surely they aren't just throwing in a single 768GB SSD (do those even exist?). It has to be a 512+256.. but where would the second one go!?

Can't wait for the iFixit teardown myself. Definitely plenty of questions to be answered.

 

[KnightWRX]

The new Macbook Pros with the Retina display are absolutely smashing for those of us (actually, not *me*) who have nothing better to do all day sitting in Starbucks sipping latte while surfing the "Internets" on their Retina displays (replete with piddly 128gb drives and slow yesteryear 802.11n wifi!)

Or they are perfect for those people that do actual work in an actual infrastructure that is properly shared, protected, etc... None of my media is on my MBA. I would have a 2 TB drive in there and it would still be empty. My music collection is on a NAS, with all my documents, on proper mirrored storage, backed up and accessible on all my devices simultaneously with no syncing required.

Frankly, the only thing holding me back is the fact that you're getting a 1440x900 screen essentially. I'd still rather get the "old" MBP with 1650x1080 hi-res option. At least that gives us usable pixels. Sharper text is nice and all (the retina display on my 4S is amazing to look at), but I'd still rather just have the raw pixels to work with and 220 PPI is just too high, while Apple's 110 PPI 1440x900 is atrocious.

Laptops should have minimum 130 PPI with around 160 PPI being ideal. This gives the best compromise between usable pixels and text visibility.

 

[iMusings]

Is it really that difficult to read text on current MBPs? Would 1000ppi screen make it even easier to see/read? What's the threshold resolution/pixel density at which point increased density does not matter? I think current good screens (like Sony Vaio Z 1920x1080) are somewhere close. We'll see if new MBP screens will actually produce any benefits.

Seconded! The kind of design decisions made just so they can shoehorn the Retina display in doesn't seem all that worth it in light of the fact that you'd lose:
1) flexibility in storage
2) and memory
3) and your audio in port
4) and your firewire port
5) and your ethernet port

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Or they are perfect for those people that do actual work in an actual infrastructure that is properly shared, protected, etc... None of my media is on my MBA. I would have a 2 TB drive in there and it would still be empty. My music collection is on a NAS, with all my documents, on proper mirrored storage, backed up and accessible on all my devices simultaneously with no syncing required.

Frankly, the only thing holding me back is the fact that you're getting a 1440x900 screen essentially. I'd still rather get the "old" MBP with 1650x1080 hi-res option. At least that gives us usable pixels. Sharper text is nice and all (the retina display on my 4S is amazing to look at), but I'd still rather just have the raw pixels to work with and 220 PPI is just too high, while Apple's 110 PPI 1440x900 is atrocious.

Laptops should have minimum 130 PPI with around 160 PPI being ideal.

Nice! So you use a NAS. What business do you have syncing to a 2TB file collection on a pokey 802.11N (not even AC) wireless interface?

How's that working out for you Sir?

 

[KnightWRX]

Nice! So you use a NAS. What business do you have syncing to a 2TB file collection on a pokey 802.11N (not even AC) wireless interface?

How's that working out for you Sir?

It's working fine since 2006. That's been my workflow for the last 6 years. I don't use internal drives anymore except for scratch. Music is on my iPhone for when I'm on the go, in iTunes through a shared drive when at home. All my documents/media/etc.. sit on the NAS.

2 TB file collection ? You copy it over once and then all your devices have access to it. What's a 1 time copy and then doing incrementals or working straight off the network ?

Keep using up that local space, I would hate to be in your shoes when your dinky 2.5" HDD laptop drive dies or you lose the laptop to a thief or through distraction.

 

[iMusings]

Looks like from the picture the SSD is replaceable (mSATA connection). RAM definitely isn't though!

New Retina MBP looks great, just wanted a 13in version

To prevent any misconceptions, it is not a mSATA device though. Definitely not pin compatible with the actual mSATA standard.

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It's working fine since 2006. That's been my workflow for the last 6 years. I don't use internal drives anymore except for scratch. Music is on my iPhone for when I'm on the go, in iTunes through a shared drive when at home. All my documents/media/etc.. sit on the NAS.

2 TB file collection ? You copy it over once and then all your devices have access to it. What's a 1 time copy and then doing incrementals or working straight off the network ?

Keep using up that local space, I would hate to be in your shoes when your dinky 2.5" HDD laptop drive dies or you lose the laptop to a thief or through distraction.

What sort of files do you work with?

Even after a small shoot just syncing RAW photos over to the WHS box over wifi is absolutely painful. I am not even into video.

And to add insult to injury they actually removed the ethernet port.

By the way, haven't you heard of FileVault?

FileVault 2 that came with Lion supports full disk encryption at long last. It is pretty spiffy. You should check it out SOMEDAY.

 

[RecessionMac]

Well, I hope Windows 8 isn't a POS. Apple has gone WAY off the deep end.

I bought my Mom an iPad2 when it was first released. She sits in her chair and comfortably uses it throughout the day. But NOOOOO... now everyone needs RETINA display, which causes the latest gen iPad to get MUCH too hot to BE an iPad. So she's permanently stuck at iPad2. Genius!

Yeah, Apple needs to "show off" - I get it. But they don't have to push it on everyone. BECAUSE it causes unwanted heat and most people do NOT need it, it should be OPTIONAL. Just stamp some cool logo that distinguishes a device as an Apple R-Series so the dbags at the coffee house can "show off" that they're IDIOTS.

So in summary: Mac OS Lion, Siri, "New" iPad, "Retina" MacBook Pro - NO!!!! BAD APPLE!!!!

As for any fanboys questioning my loyalty, I've owned Macs since the Apple /// (Yes, back when Apple was making POS "futuristic" computers like they are doing AGAIN!)

When my MBP gives out, I'll have to replace it. If Apple keeps this up, they lose my business.

I wear glasses. F your stupid retina display. I can't see it anyway. And Siri? Seriously, I'd hate to be John Malkovich these days. "Was it something I said?" Geezus...

And the Samuel L. Jackson I know and love would go all Ezekiel on that POS. "Siri, remind me I'm a total wuss - also, John is coming over for a full body massage."

"STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT BAISH STOP IT!" - GroupX

 

[crawler1975]

wouldn't it have just been simpler to offer the display as an upgrade option for the other macs? Why do they need yet another notebook line up.

They needed another notebook line up to replace the macbook pro 17" ...

 

[milo]

You do realize how small the number of Mac Pro users is compared to MacBook Pro and iMac, right? Not saying they should abandon it, but expecting them to put a lot of effort into maintaining it, doesn't make sense from a business standpoint.

You completely miss the fact that the MP is just a big box with an intel reference motherboard only slightly customized. After all this time with no update, switching to a new intel sandy bridge motherboard would be the easiest redesign in their entire Mac product line. It's the very definition of the opposite of "a lot of effort".

And this motherboard is the same one they've been using since the 2009 MP release, the 2009 and 2010 were same hardware just different firmware (which can be updated to make them the same) and this is the same again, might not even be different firmware.

Is 98MB of RAM a lot? You sound like this Apple-hater at my school who has never used an Apple product. He also complains about iTunes being "bloated".

It is, one of the most bloated apps apple makes. Just checked, it's using 480 megs of ram here.

Anandtech has great info on the new DPI scaling menu on the retina mac.

That's cool, I wonder how long before we see those settings available for external monitors.

 

[KnightWRX]

What sort of files do you work with?

Objective-C code files, XML data files, small images/sound files. Not every Pro is a photographer or videographer. Ever considered that "Pro" means "professional" and there's a whole lot of professions out there ?

Even after a small shoot just syncing RAW photos over to the WHS box over wifi is absolutely painful. I am not even into video.

And to add insult to injury they actually removed the ethernet port.

Thunderbolt Gigabit adapter for 30$. USB 3 adapters probably coming very soon for less. Both supported.

Anyway, there's still the old MBP that has been refreshed with USB 3, TB and Ivy Bridge with the same GPU. I'd consider that myself if only for the hi-res option, but I don't have 2K$ to drop on a laptop right now that's basically a big "want" since my 13" MBA does the job well and weights much less than a MBP 15" beast.

So if this new kind of laptop isn't for you or you just can't learn to work with it, then don't buy it.

By the way, haven't you heard of FileVault?

FileVault 2 that came with Lion supports full disk encryption at long last. It is pretty spiffy. You should check it out SOMEDAY.

Disk encryption doesn't protect from data loss through drive failures/lost of the laptop/theft of the laptop, only from data theft itself.

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They needed another notebook line up to replace the macbook pro 17" ...

This in no way replaces the MacBook Pro 17". It only has a usuable resolution of 1440x900. No, running the screen at 1920x1200 won't be an option, LCDs look like complete crap when not running at native or a multiple of native resolution, due to interpolated pixels.

 

[dshootist]

need to rethink the 17" screen

as a photographer and designer, it was a great compromise to have a 17" screen instead of having to attach to an external monitor. did it truly replace a desktop? no, but it did offer more appealing mobile options than the 13" or the 15" screen resolution (at the time) and real estate. the loss of the optical drive is negligible to me because I use electronic distribution of files so often; it was a nice-to-have though.

it appears that for the storage of files (and applications now, Adobe) that we are going to have to pull things wirelessly from the various cloud options available. as I have my reservations about the stability/security of that, so I'm starting off slow. just purchased a new WD MyBook Life and am running tests with pulling assets via the web. should this work even nearly as well as promised, having a lighter form factor will definitely shine.

but please. bring back the damn 17" screen.

 

[vladi]

This will be one long jurney when it comes to third party app updates for higher res interface.

It's a shame that everything that is really good about "Retina 15" display like black contrast, viewing angle, low reflection is overlooked by its ridicolous resolution that doesnt bring much to the table. I truly wish they offered 1920:1200 screen with all "Retina 15" imporved specs.

 

[RecessionMac]

My bad - that stupid "retina" display is an option. I can still buy a 15.4" model without that crap.

Does anyone know if it's still user-upgradeable?

But I stand by the iPad issue. That thing is way too damn hot to be an iPad.

 

[cube]

Rosetta, ExpressCard, FireWire, Ethernet, DVD.

I ordered a Snow Leopard 17".

ATV1, MBP 15" ExpressCard+battery, I always have to buy the discontinued stuff from Apple now.

 

[Winter Charm]

Check Anandtech for SSD benchmarks - looks like those new Apple SSDs are around 500MB r/w sustained... plenty fast...

Thanks for the heads up! Those numbers look plenty fast! I think I'll go ahead and order mine.... just let me go comfort my wallet.... it's in tears right now.

For anyone else who's interested, here's a direct link to the Anandtech benchmarks: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5997/ssd-and-usb-30-performance-of-the-retina-display-macbook-pro

 

[funkybudda]

Well, I hope Windows 8 isn't a POS. Apple has gone WAY off the deep end.

I bought my Mom an iPad2 when it was first released. She sits in her chair and comfortably uses it throughout the day. But NOOOOO... now everyone needs RETINA display, which causes the latest gen iPad to get MUCH too hot to BE an iPad. So she's permanently stuck at iPad2. Genius!

Yeah, Apple needs to "show off" - I get it. But they don't have to push it on everyone. BECAUSE it causes unwanted heat and most people do NOT need it, it should be OPTIONAL. Just stamp some cool logo that distinguishes a device as an Apple R-Series so the dbags at the coffee house can "show off" that they're IDIOTS.

So in summary: Mac OS Lion, Siri, "New" iPad, "Retina" MacBook Pro - NO!!!! BAD APPLE!!!!

As for any fanboys questioning my loyalty, I've owned Macs since the Apple /// (Yes, back when Apple was making POS "futuristic" computers like they are doing AGAIN!)

When my MBP gives out, I'll have to replace it. If Apple keeps this up, they lose my business.

I wear glasses. F your stupid retina display. I can't see it anyway. And Siri? Seriously, I'd hate to be John Malkovich these days. "Was it something I said?" Geezus...

And the Samuel L. Jackson I know and love would go all Ezekiel on that POS. "Siri, remind me I'm a total wuss - also, John is coming over for a full body massage."

"STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT BAISH STOP IT!" - GroupX

BEST.
POST.
EVER.

Seriously, the new Macbook Pro with retina display is priced way out of the range of normal consumers. Using outdated GPU (650M) is questionable, with such hi-res screen wouldnt Apple want to use the 7970M or the new 680M? I am holding on to my 2009 Macbook Pro a bit longer, let see what price the 2nd gen Macbook Pro with retina display will cost late next year...

Btw, just order a new PC laptop (Sager NP9150 / Clevo P150EM ), Intel Ivybridge i7-3720QM 2.6GHz, 16GB RAM, 680M 4GB GPU etc. All for $2500 including 3 years extended warranty. Sure, it doesnt have the nice body chassis as the new thinner Macbook Pro and Retina display, but it sure can handle anything that I want to throw at it.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I hate to spell it out for you wikus, but if you are looking to actually do real work, your only realistic options are:
1) to get the top end 768GB SSD drive option
2) get the older refreshed Macbook Pro
3) switch to a Thinkpad or something

The new Macbook Pros with the Retina display are absolutely smashing for those of us (actually, not *me*) who have nothing better to do all day sitting in Starbucks sipping latte while surfing the "Internets" on their Retina displays (replete with piddly 128gb drives and slow yesteryear 802.11n wifi!)

I think the RMBP is plenty fine for many users, it's just a compromise here and there for this or that person. For me it's the rumored/confirmed soldered on RAM and SSD. I'd like to go to 32GB when i can afford the chips, but I won't be able to.

I'd like a matte screen option as well. Personally, I'd like to have a 17", but if it's dead and a small-ish 15" is all I have left to work on I'll take it. . . . having those limitation however makes it just that more bitter tasting.

Can't wait for the iFixit teardown myself. Definitely plenty of questions to be answered.

Agreed!

Or they are perfect for those people that do actual work in an actual infrastructure that is properly shared, protected, etc... None of my media is on my MBA. I would have a 2 TB drive in there and it would still be empty. My music collection is on a NAS, with all my documents, on proper mirrored storage, backed up and accessible on all my devices simultaneously with no syncing required.

Frankly, the only thing holding me back is the fact that you're getting a 1440x900 screen essentially. I'd still rather get the "old" MBP with 1650x1080 hi-res option. At least that gives us usable pixels. Sharper text is nice and all (the retina display on my 4S is amazing to look at), but I'd still rather just have the raw pixels to work with and 220 PPI is just too high, while Apple's 110 PPI 1440x900 is atrocious.

Laptops should have minimum 130 PPI with around 160 PPI being ideal. This gives the best compromise between usable pixels and text visibility.

Totally agree with much of this. I have been sold on the idea of NAS, cloud computing, etc. Not having to worry about small documents being backed up is a DREAM! This RMBP was built with cloud storage in mind.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Seriously, the new Macbook Pro with retina display is priced way out of the range of normal consumers. Using outdated GPU (650M) is questionable, with such hi-res screen wouldnt Apple want to use the 7970M or the new 680M? I am holding on to my 2009 Macbook Pro a bit longer, let see what price the 2nd gen Macbook Pro with retina display will cost late next year...

Btw, just order a new PC laptop (Sager NP9150 / Clevo P150EM ), Intel Ivybridge i7-3720QM 2.6GHz, 16GB RAM, 680M 4GB GPU etc. All for $2500 including 3 years extended warranty. Sure, it doesnt have the nice body chassis as the new thinner Macbook Pro and Retina display, but it sure can handle anything that I want to throw at it.

Just configured that model with 32GB, the 680M, BD OD, 256GB SSD/750GB HD for $3K.

Be nice if Apple bought Clevo for customers who wanted fully optionable, high performance laptops with OSX.

 

[barmann]

Anyway, there's still the old MBP that has been refreshed with USB 3, TB and Ivy Bridge with the same GPU.

Thanks for mentioning it, that's actually a very attractive solution !
It also has FW, this might be the ultimate MBP for my uses for the next few years .

 

[brutusfly]

Pleased

The Retina MBP is what I've been waiting for.

The flash storage appears to be upgradable. Good.

The optical drive is gone. Good. Haven't used mine much and don't want to carry one around. I can use the tower drive when needed.

The glossy screen? Good. Of my current screens, 3/4 of them are matte. Matte screens are nice when there are lights behind your head. I almost never have lights behind my head. My one glossy screen has no sandy-rainbow textured film between me and the underlying glass. Glossy in a dim room is sharper and cleaner. Since reflections aren't an issue in my main environments, neither type suffer from reflections, but matte suffers from "grain".

The screen is IPS. Great! Really great! Two of my 4 screens are IPS and I wouldn't want to do serious video/photography on the other two. This is a big win (although I wonder at what bit depth).

I'd rather use an adapter for HDMI than for ethernet, but no biggie.

Cheaper by $300 would be nice, but that's the price of cutting edge in anything.

Non-upgradable RAM gives me pause. At $200 extra for 8GB more, I'm undecided. I usually use about 7GB or more, but maybe flash storage will make my RAM overage times unnoticable?

 

[AnonMac50]

Seriously, people are STILL not happy?

That's kinda of hilarious... As the saying goes, you can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time.

You forgot one bit. "You can please all the people some of the time".

 

[ibanana]

Flash...ahaaaaaah king of the impossible

I want the retina MBP but:


Can I upgrade the cheaper model to have at least 512 of storage ???

 

[anberlinairlift]

Wow, they got rid of the 17-incher. I think a lot of people are going to be pissed, because to a lot of people screen real estate is equally as important as resolution.

 

[KnightWRX]

Wow, they got rid of the 17-incher. I think a lot of people are going to be pissed, because to a lot of people screen real estate is equally as important as resolution.

Inches don't translate into screen real-estate. Usable pixel count does.

 

[phillytim]

I'd love to see battery life on these Retina babies, compared to the other non-Retina MBP's. Obviously they will drain battery faster, no?

 

[linnarsson]

I have read the whole thread but since I'm no techie I don't understand So I please ask for a good explanation

I do work in Adobe CS and photo alot (I study to digital graphic designer). What I have read the new retina display is great for users like me.

What I don't understand is if the screen resolution really IS 2880x1800? Some people in this thread says its actually a 1440x900 screen? If so, is it just scaling up everything?

I do understand that developers must improve their applications to work with the new retina display. How will the graphics look on a software not compatible with the retina display? My guess is that everything would double in size making it really ugly? How will photos and images in webpages look? Do they look the same or do they have to be adopted to a new resolution eg. from 72 to 300ppi?

Unfortunately I don't have any Apple resellers nearby... Maybe I should make a travel...

Kind regards
Linnarsson