MacBook Air and 13" Retina MacBook Pro Updated to Improve Speed and Battery Life

[caddison]

Keep in mind that the 13 inch MBP is dual core, and the 15 inch is quad core. This may not matter for some, but people were talking about video editing and such. That will make a difference.

That all depends... does anyone know how the new fifth-generation 3.1GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7 benchtests against the fourth-generation 2.8GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7?

I'd be really interested in seeing that, but I can't find anything on it yet... but I probably don't know what to look for either. Heh...

 

[james2538]

I do not get why the base rMBP is still 128GB, can you really run an OS with your day to day files in that much space? 256GB maybe, but I would have liked to see the mid-range with 512GB. I am going to have to buy the faster processor when all I want is the storage hike.

Probably the same reason the iPhone still has that stupid 16GB base model. Which is arguably worse since it can barely fit the OS.

I had a rMBP with 128GB. It's possible but you have to pay attention to data management. Storing music + photos + videos in the cloud helps.

 

[MrGimper]

As someone that owned a both a 15" and 13" Macbook Pro Retina of the Haswell Generation (15" was stolen) I would go with the 13". If you want screen real estate, get an external monitor. The 13" machine is much easier to handle. The battery life difference between them is huge as well. It seemed like the discrete card fired up all the time (even just in Safari) which would cut the run time down to just 5-6 hours.

The only reason to get the 15" is if you must have a quad core processor or the power of the discrete card. Just realize you'll sacrifice the portability. I would personally just rather have a Macbook + iMac.

The new 13" is even better than mine with the faster storage and longer battery life.

I bought a refurb 13" in December and was slightly worried when there were rumours of a refresh. After today I'm glad I went with the return and saved some ££. A processor bump I wouldn't notice, faster flash that I wouldn't notice, an hour of battery that probably wouldn't make a real difference in real life, and a force trackpad (although i would feel like a Jedi "force touching" everything).

 

[dubhe]

Probably the same reason the iPhone still has that stupid 16GB base model. Which is arguably worse since it can barely fit the OS.

I had a rMBP with 128GB. It's possible but you have to pay attention to data management. Storing music + photos + videos in the cloud helps.

Where I work wifi is off, so everything needs to be on the machine. I can use an external drive, but that is just a faff for something like an iPhoto or iTunes library.

 

[theSeb]

My laptop died... I've been borrowing my wife's $300 Toshiba and also working from my desktop PC for the last month.

So, yes... the next 6 months waiting will surely kill me.

I need to make a decision pretty soon.

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From what I've read, end of July into August is the earliest.

I reckon the new 15" rMBP will come with Thunderbolt 3

Here's a summary of what to expect. Note that the next-gen Thunderbolt is tied to Intel's Skylake chip architecture, which isn't due until 2015.

--2X jump in speed. Bandwidth increase to 40 gigabits per second from 20Gbps.

--Displays. Can drive two 4K displays over a single cable, as The Tech Report points out.

--Support. PCIe Gen3, USB 3.0, DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0, and HDMI 2.0

--Charging. Support for devices up to 100 watts.

Getting back to the plug: the height will apparently be slimmed down to just 3mm from the current

 

[Tony.Skid]

Well, I waited today to see if there was a refresh of the retina 15", but nothing; instead Apple had the great idea to insanely raise the price, that already was high (here in Italy): for the 15" with GeForce 750,this morning was € 2529 (US$ 2745), after this "spring" event is... € 2849 (US$ 3093) !! For the same notebook...
Thanks Tim, this time I keep my upgraded 2011 15" MacBook Pro.

 

[rwarren1]

You seriously think they would kill their high-end laptop? Nope.

Just have to be a bit more patient if you're in the market for one of those, I guess.

Can you buy a 17" MacBook Pro now? It was the "high-end" laptop at one time.

 

[class77]

You can bump this version up to a dual-core i7.

http://store.apple.com/us-k12/buy-mac/macbook-pro?product=MF841LL/A&step=config#

You need to read my original post again. I was asking about the $1299 & $1499 specific machines only, not the upgrades that would add more cost to the machine

 

[Shanghaichica]

Yea, I believe you have 14 days with Apple, more at other retailers.

I bought my air from another retailer 12 days ago. However they don't offer refunds/exchanges if you have used the item. It sounds like a minor speed bump so not too fussed. The air does what I need it to do. Plus it was reduced by £50 so I had a feeling that they would be updated soon.

 

[diane143]

I did buy the 13" pro. Is it even possible to just return it? Wasn't even aware of that.

Yes. Back in 2003 the motherboard to my Yikes! had died and I went out and bought a new G4 in February. It was a $2200 machine. The announcements came, my machine dropped in price, the next model was gone but they added the dual 1.42 at $2400. I went to talk to them and they told me they'd allow me to trade up but they wouldn't give me a refund (I was technically outside the return window).

The machines weren't even out yet so I had the single processor machine for about a month before mine came in. I still have the dual 1.42 as well, I will probably never be able to afford a Mac tower again.

Ok, I haven't finished reading the thread - please tell me the MacBooks are upgradeable beyond 8gb??

What are people's thoughts regarding the 13" MBPr spec bump? Will there be another bump coming later this year, or is this it? I'm particularly surprised that 128 GB is the standard SSD and not 256.

I'd like to upgrade soon, as I'm using a late 2008 MB (aluminum), but I want to make sure I'm getting both the latest technology and most bang for my buck.

That's exactly what I'm upgrading from. I put in a 500gb drive a couple of years ago so going down is going to be a shock for me. I can't do 128gb

 

[AFEPPL]

Yeah keep telling you that!
Most ridiculous thing I ever read.

How can you say that either way having not used it yourself?

 

[anthorumor]

You'd think this would be called the new MacBook Air, but seems like Apple will replace it entirely with this new generation MacBook. MacBook Air's display resolution and bezel now look very dated.

So for those who want ports and quadcore processors, go for the Pro.
For everyone else, there's MacBook.

I'm just happy they made 8GB RAM standard in these Core M MacBooks - try that with a similar Windows Core M ultraportable.

In other news, does the acceptance of USB type-C spell the end of the lightning connector?

 

[mabhatter]

I get the feeling both the 13" and 15" MacBook Pros are going to get a FULL update by the end of the year. Kinda like they did with the iPad 3 and 4.

I might consider the 12" but that single port worries me. How do you charge AND work with a peripheral when required? Why not add one more port? Hmmm...

The motherboard is only in the upper left corner, unlike the previous Airs that went completely across the unit. Apple really doesn't do "internal extension cords" anymore

 

[juanmatt]

hi, i need a new rmbp its worth the update of today, since the last version its 979usd (refurb) and new one 1299usd, what do you think hit the new one or the old model? its just for office and home use.

thx

 

[fenderbass146]

I bought my air from another retailer 12 days ago. However they don't offer refunds/exchanges if you have used the item. It sounds like a minor speed bump so not too fussed. The air does what I need it to do. Plus it was reduced by £50 so I had a feeling that they would be updated soon.

Wow that's terrible that they won't do returns...air not as big of improvement as pro 13" pro got the new touchpad

 

[ayzee]

So the new MBP 13 Retina has only dual core, and not dedicated graphics?

I currently have a top specced, quad core 2012 Retina MBP.
will my current MBP retina 15" still be a better performer than the top specced new 13" retina?

My current spec:
Macbook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012)
Processor 2.7 Ghz Intel Core i7
16 GB 1600 Mhz DDR3
Graphics Nvidia GeForce GT 650M 1024 MB

 

[Mattsasa]

No 15" update?

15"?

Why no for 15"?!

And the 15" gets left in the dust.

Silently weeping for the lack of 15" MBP update... wtf :/

No 15" update.......the smell of death.

C'mon people, are you kidding me?
I don't need to explain how ignorant these comments were, because many others have already done it for me

What graphics are in the new13"?! 6200 pro?

Iris 6100.

Will the new 13" support 4k display at 60hz?

not sure about 60hz, but the new Macbook supports 4k output, so I assume these do.



So what is apple's plan, are they going to discontinue the air line soon? and make it just macbook and macbook pro? or are they going to update the airs to have retina display next generation, then continue to sell macbook, macbook air, and macbook pro?

 

[mabhatter]

They dont update the trackpad in the air. What a joke. Was gonna buy it today!!!!

While that new macbook looks great. Its underpowered at its price and gonna take 100$ or more worth of dongles to be functional.

$79 ... You were so close!

 

[Shanghaichica]

Wow that's terrible that they won't do returns...air not as big of improvement as pro 13" pro got the new touchpad

No because I oppened it and used it. We don't have generous returns policies like you do in the U.S.

 

[Joelburman]

So do I understand it right, the "new" Macbook Pro Retina "13 inch sports the broadwell motherboard and processor?

Someone mentioned full updates on both pro models by the end of the year. I somewhat doubt that happening to the 13 inch version after this update. You guys think the future skylake motherboard will make it possible to have quad cpu's in on the 13 inch models? If so I might have to wait it out instead of getting this one.

I'm currently on a 2011 "13 Macbook Pro.

 

[Ryan Wiseman]

You'd think that they'd upgrade the 15" mBPs, but no. Apple is still milking as much money as they can from the cheaper I-have-a-Mac-because-I'm-a-hipster-teen part of the Apple community. They can easily milk people to constantly buy more laptops (like iPhones).

I really want to see a few upgrades on laptops. Basically, better processors overall. How many computers come with 1.1 Ghz processors?

Apple is playing the cheap game yet again. I mean, I expected at least a 1.5 - 1.8 Ghz processor in the MacBooks. Not just 1.1 Ghz and 1.2 Ghz.

I understand that they are trying to keep these computers quiet, but as soon as you do a lot of multitasking and using it awhile, the computer is going to heat without an easy way of cooling it down. Come on Apple; no fans? Are you trying to cause fire issues. If that computer gets hot at all, cooling it down will be difficult. But then again, these computers aren't made for software for Adobe. Using CC will cause too many overheating issues. Also, Apple, you do realize that the reason why I fried my graphics card before is due to overheating. Apple is going to be causing problems, AGAIN!

The only benefit I see toward the new MacBook, is for college, which, I will be getting one for school for that reason.

Also I wish the MBPs 15" upgraded. I want these computers to have i7 as the standard. For as someone who uses Waves Mercury 8, plug ins really aren't suited for anything less.

Today, I'm not really happy with Apple.

But oh well. Some of you will most likely disagree with me

 

[sithrules1]

The 15" Pro went up by $500 in the Australian store I was waiting for today to see if there were going to be any changes to the 15" before I bought it. Now I'm 500 behind buying one now, even with education pricing.

 

[theSeb]

They dont update the trackpad in the air. What a joke. Was gonna buy it today!!!!

While that new macbook looks great. Its underpowered at its price and gonna take 100$ or more worth of dongles to be functional.

Not functional for YOU. Others mileage will vary and the new Macbook will be very functional for THEM. You <> Them.

----------

You'd think that they'd upgrade the 15" mBPs, but no. Apple is still milking as much money as they can from the cheaper I-have-a-Mac-because-I'm-a-hipster-teen part of the Apple community. They can easily milk people to constantly buy more laptops (like iPhones).

The 15" rMBP wasn't upgraded because there are no quad core mobile CPUs to upgrade with. You would think people would read the comments, but no. They would rather rant whilst spitting at their screens.

 

[Gildarts]

I'm officially disappointed. The 15' got raised €300 in price.

And I'm guessing that means no more dedicated graphics in the next update.

Apple has lost it. This is Madness!

 

[newellj]

You'd think that they'd upgrade the 15" mBPs, but no. Apple is still milking as much money as they can from the cheaper I-have-a-Mac-because-I'm-a-hipster-teen part of the Apple community. They can easily milk people to constantly buy more laptops (like iPhones).

I really want to see a few upgrades on laptops. Basically, better processors overall. How many computers come with 1.1 Ghz processors?

Apple is playing the cheap game yet again. I mean, I expected at least a 1.5 - 1.8 Ghz processor in the MacBooks. Not just 1.1 Ghz and 1.2 Ghz.

I understand that they are trying to keep these computers quiet, but as soon as you do a lot of multitasking and using it awhile, the computer is going to heat without an easy way of cooling it down. Come on Apple; no fans? Are you trying to cause fire issues. If that computer gets hot at all, cooling it down will be difficult. But then again, these computers aren't made for software for Adobe. Using CC will cause too many overheating issues. Also, Apple, you do realize that the reason why I fried my graphics card before is due to overheating. Apple is going to be causing problems, AGAIN!

The only benefit I see toward the new MacBook, is for college, which, I will be getting one for school for that reason.

Also I wish the MBPs 15" upgraded. I want these computers to have i7 as the standard. For as someone who uses Waves Mercury 8, plug ins really aren't suited for anything less.

Today, I'm not really happy with Apple.

But oh well. Some of you will most likely disagree with me

Did you miss the fact that there is no quad core i7 available for the 15"? Or would you like to downgrade the 15" to only dual core? Your beef is with Intel, not Apple.