New Retina MacBook Now Available to Order on Apple's Online Store

[MacRumors]

Along with accepting pre-orders for the Apple Watch, Apple has also begun accepting orders for the new 12-inch Retina MacBook through its online store. Orders are available through the website and through the Apple Store app.

Shipping estimates for most pre-configured MacBook models are currently at one to three days, while custom configurations will ship in three to four weeks. Shipping estimates for the high-end gold MacBook have slipped to three to four weeks.

The 12-inch Retina MacBook features Apple's latest technology, with an ultra thin chassis that's 0.31mm thick (a half-inch), a Retina display, a Force Touch trackpad that enables a range of new gestures, a thinner keyboard with larger keys stabilized by a new butterfly design, a single USB-C port, and a low-power Core M processor that lets it operate without a fan for silent performance.

Reviews of the new MacBook came out on Thursday morning and are worth a read before purchasing the new MacBook. Many reviewers have compared it to the first-generation MacBook Air, praising its cutting-edge design while highlighting some of the performance compromises compared to the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro.

The machine's Core M processor lags behind the more powerful Intel-based processors available in Apple's other notebooks, but it runs all modern apps (including those like Photoshop and Final Cut Pro). It is, however, noticeably slower, which may be a concern for users who use system intensive tasks on a regular basis. For day to day use, many reviewers found it more than adequate, but there was a general consensus suggesting that it's somewhat impractical in its current incarnation, given the price to performance ratio.

The Retina MacBook is available in three colors: Silver, Gold, and Space Gray. It's available in two configurations at two price points. The entry-level model ships with a 1.1GHz processor, 8GB of memory, Intel Graphics 5300 HD, and 256GB of flash storage for $1,299. The higher-end model includes a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB of memory, Intel Graphics 5300 HD, and 512GB of flash storage for $1,599.

Both models offer an optional processor upgrade, boosting the 1.1GHz processor to 1.2 or 1.3GHz, and boosting the 1.2GHz processor to 1.3GHz.

Article Link: New Retina MacBook Now Available to Order on Apple's Online Store

 

[Nickash28]

Not availble until 4/22??

Store pick up 4/22/15 everywhere around me. and shipping earliest is 4/16-4/24.

 

[CrazyForApple]

I'll pass on that this year

 

[Onexy]

Core M is Intel based too.

 

[Nero182]

Ordered .... May wait damn UK

 

[Kiwi 99]

Ordered mine in NZ store.
Same deal, 3-4 weeks delivery. Hopefully the early birds will get it sooner than that

 

[TheBuffather]

I'm not going to be a negative Nancy here, there's enough of that. But I am a little bit surprised that upgrading the processor gets you shipping, at the earliest, three weeks out. I could be wrong, but it sounds like they have not manufactured many of them; certainly not enough to be comfortable improving shipping times. I expected upgrades to take somewhere around a week or so, but not 3 to 4 weeks right off the bat.

I'd like to think I'm going to skip out on this first generation model, because it seems like a smart thing to do based upon the reviews. But, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'll walk into the Apple Store and buy one in a few weeks.

 

[tillsbury]

Yup, 3-4 weeks. Just tried again with a stock option but they're also 3-4 weeks, dammit. Sticking with the Space Grey maxed out model. Can't wait!

 

[danimal917]

Am I the only one shipping in 1-3 business days?

 

[Kiwi 99]

Yep, I don't think it's the made-to-order that's pushing the time-frame out, it's not being in the US. All the non-US stores seem to be showing 3-4 weeks.
It is what it is. From my experience, the sooner you order the sooner you'll get it.
I suspect it might be a worldwide simultaneous release, so they've probably simplified it by setting everybody (except the US) to start at 3-4 weeks, and then they'll figure it out from there.
I can't wait either. I ordered gold (couldn't help myself!)

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Am I the only one shipping in 1-3 business days?

are you in the US?

 

[SiskoKid]

I ordered a gold one 512GB with a 1.2GHz processor, and it says it ships 1-3 days but delivers the week of the 20th. So still a bit of a wait. But I can't wait to use this delicious dish

P.S. In the US

 

[danimal917]

Yes I am in the US

 

[Kiwi 99]

the gold 512g model has just slipped to 3-4 weeks in the US store

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i guess the US got a head start (fair enough, it's a US company), but now they're running out of their initial allotment too. And they join us "3-4 weeks" people.

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Ordered .... May wait damn UK

Image

Is that including VAT? The equivalent model in Denmark is ~1500£, so quite a difference!

It really is way too expensive here.

 

[danimal917]

I went space grey base model. I know I will want to upgrade next year and the base is pretty solid. What did you all do?

 

[Kiwi 99]

hmm, i picked the gold 512, and so did one or two others here, and it seems to have run out first in the initial US allotment. I was like that king in the Hobbit movie who fell in love with all his gold...

 

[GaresTaylan]

I'll stop at my store when it opens and see if I can grab one. Really disappointed about the shipping times on this.

 

[teknishn]

Ordered .... May wait damn UK

Image

US here.... same exact May 8 - May 15 for 1.3 as well. With any luck that time will improve.

 

[mklnz]

$250 for the 1.3 GHz processor upgrade!? That's a bit sleep.

 

[Scott6666]

Backed off.

Got to the cart with the 512GB model and applecare. Saw it was just about $2k. Decided that was $500 too much for too many compromises.

Bought an Apple Watch instead.

 

[danimal917]

Base model is the way to go unless money is no object.

 

[Theophil1971]

Am I the only one shipping in 1-3 business days?

Same for me. Space Grey 1.2/512 model, ordered in Ca, USA. Shipping in 1-3 bus.days, and I selected expedited shipping for $10extra. Estimated delivery date = April 16-20. Not terrible. I might drop into the Apple Store and see if they happen to have my model in stock. Or I might not.

 

[ebouwman]

Core M is Intel based too.

I read it as, "compared to the other processors that are also Intel based" as opposed to their arm stuff like the iphone/iPad.

Poor wording IMO but still sorta made sense.

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Backed off.

Got to the cart with the 512GB model and applecare. Saw it was just about $2k. Decided that was $500 too much for too many compromises.

Bought an Apple Watch instead.

Ya :-/ I'd just rather have either the MBA or retina MBP.

I'm sure it'll appeal to some people but it misses the sweat spot for me. Little bit embarrassing when you move towards the MBA for more power.

 

[rickshill]

Am I the only one shipping in 1-3 business days?

I have it as well for 512 gold...but it really is not that short of a time because they are quoting an April 20th arrival

 

[Kiwi 99]

I have it as well for 512 gold...but it really is not that short of a time because they are quoting an April 20th arrival

its about right. 3 business days takes you to the 15th to ship, and then delivery could take couple of days, taking you to monday 20th.
Are you saying you have that for 512 gold from the US store? If so, you are one of the few who managed it.
512 gold went to 3-4 weeks very quickly in the US store