So the low end 13" MBP ($1499) is basically a rMBA with a 15W CPU

[saintforlife]

Low-end 13: 15W CPUs, 55WH batteries
TouchBar 13: 28W CPUs, 49WH batteries

https://twitter.com/marcoarment/status/791729086465007616

So instead of putting a retina screen on the existing MBA and upgrading the internals, Apple decides to take the internals from the existing MacBook Air, put in the new Pro enclosure and call it the entry level 13" MacBook 'Pro' while charging a few hundred dollars more than the MBA. Lol...

 

[myscrnnm]

For $300 more, you're getting a faster CPU (2.0GHz vs 1.6) with larger cache (4MB vs 3), a Retina Display (4.1m pixels vs 1.3m), faster RAM (1866MHz vs 1600), newer graphics (Iris 540 vs 6000), new USB-C ports, Bluetooth 4.2 vs 4.0, butterfly keyboard and Force Touch trackpad, and lower internal volume (and these specs are all based on comparing the higher end MBA to the base config non-Touch Bar MacBook Pro).

So no, they didn't just put existing MacBook Air into a MacBook Pro enclosure. In fact, looking at those specs side to side, you'd have to be insane to buy a MacBook Air starting today (or on a very tight budget).

 

[argentum47]

You do realize that the previous MBA was from 2014, so things like (2.0 GHz vs 1.6 GHz) (4MB vs 3MB) (1866MHz vs 1600 MHz) (540 vs 6000) (128GB vs 256GB) don't really justify a humongous price increase, which is by the way +$500 comparing base 13" MBA vs base 13" non-TB MBP? Actually these numbers can all be achieved without any price increase in 2016 due to price drops of components.

Technology advances over time, so usually you get better technology for the same price, especially after 2 freaking years. In Apple that doesn't hold.

The only thing meaningfully different is the screen. This literally IS a retina Macbook Air. The retina screen is of course great, but certainly doesn't justify the extra $500 increase.

 

[myscrnnm]

You do realize that the previous MBA was from 2014, so things like (2.0 GHz vs 1.6 GHz) (4MB vs 3MB) (1866MHz vs 1600 MHz) (540 vs 6000) (128GB vs 256GB) don't really justify a humongous price increase, which is by the way +$500 comparing base 13" MBA vs base 13" non-TB MBP? Actually these numbers can all be achieved without any price increase in 2016 due to price drops of components.

Technology advances over time, so usually you get better technology for the same price, especially after 2 freaking years. In Apple that doesn't hold.

The only thing meaningfully different is the screen. This literally IS a retina Macbook Air. The retina screen is of course great, but certainly doesn't justify the extra $500 increase.

Yes, I realize this. It doesn't matter because Apple is still charging $1,199 for it, regardless of how old that hardware is. The only thing surprising here is that Apple did not make the MacBook Air cheaper.

 

[colorfuel]

The funny part is imo, where the 2015 13" Retina MBP easily outpferforms the 2016 13" non-touchbar MBP in both CPU/GPU due to having more headroom in Wattage. (28W vs. 15W) While at the same time offering less connectivity and imposing dongles, all for a slightly smaller frame and two TB3 Ports, and probably a better screen, that benefits noone except some Pros, who work in Design/Photography (which is good for them).

 

[Samuelsan2001]

The funny part is imo, where the 2015 13" Retina MBP easily outpferforms the 2016 13" non-touchbar MBP in both CPU/GPU due to having more headroom in Wattage. (28W vs. 15W) While at the same time offering less connectivity and imposing dongles, all for a slightly smaller frame and two TB3 Ports, and probably a better screen, that benefits noone except some Pros, who work in Design/Photography (which is good for them).

Better screens benefit everyone that's the way you interact with your computer, I have seen nothing but utter nonsense on this site today, think I'd better stay away for a few weeks before I'm banned.

 

[argentum47]

Better screens benefit everyone that's the way you interact with your computer, I have seen nothing but utter nonsense on this site today, think I'd better stay away for a few weeks before I'm banned.

Are you comparing the same-priced $1,499 rMBP's from 2015 & 2016? The screen has only gotten marginally better, while gimping the CPU and connectivity severely. We're ranting for a reason.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Are you comparing the same-priced $1,499 rMBP's from 2015 & 2016? The screen has only gotten marginally better, while gimping the CPU and connectivity severely. We're ranting for a reason.

No you aren't you are ranting because you don't want to pay what Apple are charging.

They have moved to the new industry standard for connectivity, and the CPUs are the best on the market in their class.

The non touch bar machine is the retina MacBook Air everyone has been screaming for for years.

The screens are far brighter with far better colour gamut they are literally the best laptop screens you can buy until someone gets a good oled one on their machines. If you compare prices with the surfacebook announced a few days then they are comparable for a far better machine.

I am in the U.K. If you want to complain about pricing we have seen a massive increase due to the weak pound and the added price increase on top puts the top end 13 inch £550 more than the last generation.

Can I currently afford one?? No?? Is that my tough ****?? Yes.

They cost what I expected similar to when the retina was released plus $100 that's about right for inflation.