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Wednesday, August 01, 2012, 10:45 am
Low-end Retina MacBook Pro now available with 512GB, 768GB drives
Apple's base model MacBook Pro with Retina display can now be custom built with solid-state hard drives of 512 and 768 gigabytes.The new build-to-order configurations first appeared in Apple's online store on Wednesday, when they were noticed by MacRumors. Users who select the low-end 2.3-gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor can have a 512-gigabyte flash storage drive for an additional $500, or 768 gigabytes for an extra $1,000.
In addition, users can also choose to upgrade the base model to a faster 2.6-gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i7 chip for an extra $100. Previously, that chip was only available with a 512-gigabyte flash storage drive for $600 more than the base price of $2,199.
Users can also upgrade the processor to a 2.7-gigahertz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor for $350. Build-to-order configurations also come with 16 gigabytes of 1600MHz DDR3L SDRAM for an extra $200.
Shipping times for the new MacBook Pro with Retina display remain estimated at one to two weeks as Apple works to catch up with demand for its latest notebook computer.
The 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display can also be found in standard configurations from third-party resellers. It is available with 8 or 16 gigabytes of RAM and a 256-gigabyte solid-state drive with the 2.3-gigahertz processor, while the 2.6- and 2.7-gigahertz configurations come with 512 gigabytes of storage. Prices from resellers can be found in AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide, included below:
 MacBook Pro
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Discount
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| 2.5GHz 13" (4GB/500GB HDD) | $1,199.00 | $1,112.79 | $1,079.40* | sold out | $1,112.78 | $119.60 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" (8GB/500GB HDD) | $1,299.00 | n/a | on order | n/a | n/a | $86.51 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" (8GB/750GB HDD) | $1,499.00 | $1,398.99 | $1,357.02* | $1,499.00 | $1,374.00 | $141.98 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" (8GB/1TB HDD) | $1,599.00 | n/a | $1,546.18* | n/a | $1,559.00 | $52.82 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" (8GB/256GB SSD) | $1,899.00 | n/a | on order | n/a | $1,799.00 | $153.01 | |||
| 2.3GHz 15" (4GB/500GB HDD) | $1,799.00 | $1,709.96 | $1,658.66* | $1,649.00 | $1,659.00 | $150.00 | |||
| 2.3GHz 15" (4GB/750GB HDD) | $1,899.00 | n/a | on order | n/a | n/a | $61.82 | |||
| 2.3GHz 15" (4/750/ANTI-GLARE) | $2,149.00 | n/a | n/a | n/a | $2,149.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" (8GB/750GB HDD) | $2,599.00 | n/a | on order | n/a | n/a | $82.82 | |||
 13-inch MacBook Pro (MBP) with Retina
display
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| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,128GB) | $1,499.00 | $1,419.00 | $1,377.38* | $1,399.00 | $1,416.10 | $121.62 | |||
| 2.6GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,699.00 | $1,599.00 | $1,551.98* | $1,649.00 | $1,599.98 | $147.02 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,699.00 | $1,539.99 | $1,479.99 | $1,499.00 | $1,479.99 | $249.01 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $2,199.00 | n/a | $1,599.99 | sold out | sold out | $599.01 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,499.00 | n/a | $1,699.99 | sold out | $1,899.95 | $799.01 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,699.00 | n/a | $1,799.99 | sold out | n/a | $899.01 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $2,999.00 | n/a | $1,839.99* | sold out | $2,149.00 | $1,159.01 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $3,199.00 | n/a |
$2,279.49* |
sold out | sold out | $919.51 | |||
 15-inch MacBook Pro (MBP) with Retina
display
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| 2.3GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 256GB) | $2,199.00 | $1,944.99 | $1,899.99 | sold out | $1,899.00 | $300.00 | |||
| 2.4GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 256GB) | $2,199.00 | $2,079.98 | $2,017.58* | $2,199.00 | $1,999.00 | $200.00 | |||
| 2.6GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 512GB) | $2,799.00 | $2,279.99 | $2,299.99 | sold out | $2,249.00 | $550.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 512GB) | $2,799.00 | $2,649.99 | $2,570.48* | $2,799.00 | $2,599.00 | $228.52 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 768GB) | $3,199.00 | n/a | $2,699.99 | sold out | sold out | $499.01 | |||
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Previous Comments View All
Well, I like that the BTO option is there on the entry-level model, but I didn't realize it would cost that much.
What did you think it would cost?
If anyone can drive down costs of SSD Apple can by adoption on this scale.
I installed SSD as my boot drive in a 2010 MBP i7 (Replaced the optical, added Trim Enabler) and it is like using an iPad now for speed, it totally shocked me how fast it is now. HDs are the new floppy, they have to go!
Why would I want to buy a lower end Retina Macbook with soldered RAM that I can't upgrade later? Such a configuration feels like a big win for Apple, but not for the consumer.
Why would I want to buy a lower end Retina Macbook with soldered RAM that I can't upgrade later?
Because you're buying the RAM upgrades at purchase?
It looks like the SSD upgrades aren't the only thing new to the lower-priced option--the 1GB GT650M used to be relegated to the 2.7GHz model, but is now standard on all Retina Display models:
It looks like the SSD upgrades aren't the only thing new to the lower-priced option--the 1GB GT650M used to be relegated to the 2.7GHz model, but is now standard on all Retina Display models:
Now that is big news.
Edit: My mistake. It appears the lower-end model has always come with that GPU. Nothing new to see here.
Because you're buying the RAM upgrades at purchase?
Right, but that wasn't my point. They have an 8GB and a 16GB option for soldered RAM. Why would I want to take the 8GB? Wouldn't I want to take the highest amount of RAM possible since I'll be stuck with that amount for the life of the product I own and we all know how memory consumption seems to creep up over time?
Good to see the usual US -> UK Mark-up applies to the processor upgrades , ie the 2.6Ghz upgrade is $100 which is £100 according to apple
Allowing for VAT, this is still a fairly large "Apple tax" for being in the UK, $100 = £64.16 at current exchange rates, add VAT, thats £76.99, a clear £23 profit for apple
Given "Build to orders" are not stocked in the shop, this is a nice little earner for Apple
For reference the 512MB SSD, its $500 --> £400 ($500 = £320.77, add VAT = £384.92, a profit of £15)
Still, I'm happy we finally get some custom options ... though I'd preferr the 500MB SSD to be a lot cheaper (£200/$200 would have been a nice uplift from the base price)
Is the 2.3GHZ, 16GB, 256GB for $3,004.00 under Apple Education a typo?
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Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| Core i5 MacBook Pros w/ Retina | ||
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,406.48 | $292.52 |
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,479.99 | $519.01 |
| 13" 2.5GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,699.99 | $799.01 |
| Core i7 MacBook Pros w/ Retina | ||
| 13" 2.9GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,599.99 | $599.01 |
| 13" 2.9GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,799.99 | $899.01 |
| 15" 2.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,899.99 | $299.01 |
| 15" 2.6GHz/8GB/512GB | $2,299.99 | $568.01 |
| 15" 2.7GHz/16GB/768GB | $2,699.99 | $499.01 |
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.99 | $329.99 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.99 | $429.99 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.99 | $529.99 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
 |
 |
 |
|
| 16GB 4G White | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.99 | $459.99 | $459.99 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.99 | $559.99 | $559.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.99 | $659.99 | $659.99 |
Well, I like that the BTO option is there on the entry-level model, but I didn't realize it would cost that much.