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Tuesday, October 30, 2012, 07:08 pm
Review: Apple's 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display
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Software and wrap-up
As mentioned before, Apple's applications, including iTunes, Mail, and Final Cut Pro X, are all optimized for the Retina display and look great. All new Macs also come with the iLife suite, which includes iPhoto, iMovie and GarageBand.
The MacBook Pro with Retina display also comes with Mountain Lion, Apple's latest Mac operating system. New features in Mountain Lion take advantage of the latest hardware in the MacBook Pro, including AirPlay Mirroring to a networked Apple TV driven by the Ivy Bridge processor, and voice dictation aided by the noise-canceling microphone.
In all, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is a compelling package. Anyone considering a high-end notebook should absolutely give it a closer look. But that doesn't mean it's for everybody.
While the cost of the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro was tough to swallow, it's an even more difficult sell with the 13-inch variety. The lack of a dedicated graphics card, coupled with no options for a quad-core processor or more than 8 gigabytes of RAM, make the 13-inch Pro a lesser value than the 15-inch model.
However, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display does accomplish more than enough to justify its existence and superiority over the legacy 13-inch model, even if it has a harder time justifying its premium price than the 15-inch Retina. It's a well crafted machine with a beautiful display and ample components that make it deserving of its "Pro" title, and the new king of 13-inch notebooks.
Score: 4 out of 5
The Good
- Thin unibody design
- Retina display is gorgeous
- Strong battery life, fast flash-based performance
- Plethora of ports, including two Thunderbolts and HDMI
The Bad
- Price
- Does not have a dedicated GPU
- Can't add more than 8GB of RAM or quad-core CPU
How to save when buying
 MacBook Pro
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Discount
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| 2.5GHz 13" (4GB/500GB HDD) | $1,199.00 | $1,099.99 | $1,096.08* | sold out | $1,112.78 | $102.92 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" (8GB/500GB HDD) | $1,299.00 | n/a | sold out | 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 | on order | 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* | sold out | $1,659.00 | $150.00 | |||
| 2.3GHz 15" (4GB/750GB/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 | sold out | n/a | n/a | $82.82 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" (8GB/1TB HDD) | $2,649.00 | n/a | $1,988.49* | n/a | n/a | $660.51 | |||
 13-inch MacBook Pros (MBP) with Retina
display
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| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,128GB) | $1,499.00 | $1,419.98 | $1,377.38* | sold out | $1,416.10 | $121.62 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,128GB) | $1,699.00 | n/a | sold out | sold out | $1,599.00 | $100.00 | |||
| 2.6GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,699.00 | $1,599.99 | $1,551.98* | $1,649.00 | $1,599.00 | $147.02 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,699.00 | $1,539.99 | $1,435.59* | sold out | $1,479.99 | $263.41 | |||
| 3.0GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $1,899.00 | n/a | sold out | sold out | $1,899.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,256GB) | $2,199.00 | n/a | $1,551.99* | sold out | sold out | $647.01 | |||
| 3.0GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,199.00 | n/a | $2,114.58* | sold out | $2,199.00 | $84.42 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,499.00 | n/a | $1,648.99* | sold out | $1,849.00 | $850.01 | |||
| 3.0GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $2,599.00 | n/a | $2,516.18* | sold out | $2,599.00 | $82.82 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,512GB) | $2,699.00 | n/a | $1,745.99* | sold out | $1,849.00 | $953.01 | |||
| 2.5GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $2,999.00 | n/a | sold out | sold out | $2,049.00 | $950.00 | |||
| 2.9GHz 13" MBP (8GB,768GB) | $3,199.00 | n/a | on order | 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 | $1,842.99* | sold out | $1,879.00 | $356.01 | |||
| 2.4GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 256GB) | $2,199.00 | $2,079.99 | $2,017.58* | $2,199.00 | $1,999.00 | $200.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 256GB) | $2,499.00 | n/a | $2,419.18* | sold out | sold out | $79.82 | |||
| 2.6GHz 15" MBP (8GB, 512GB) | $2,799.00 | $2,249.00 | $2,230.99* | sold out | $2,199.00 | $600.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 512GB) | $2,799.00 | $2,628.98 | $2,570.48* | $2,799.00 | $2,599.00 | $228.52 | |||
| 2.8GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 512GB) | $3,049.00 | n/a | on order | sold out | $3,049.00 | $0.00 | |||
| 2.7GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 768GB) | $3,199.00 | n/a | $2,618.99* | sold out | $3,199.00 | $580.01 | |||
| 2.8GHz 15" MBP (16GB, 768GB) | $3,449.00 | n/a | $3,327.08* | sold out | $3,449.00 | $121.92 | |||
On Topic: MacBook Pro
- Deals: dozens of new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Retina configs at lowest prices anywhere
- Gazelle sees 171% spike in MacBook trade-ins ahead of WWDC
- B&H Photo celebrates release of iPhone and iPad apps with exclusive MacBook deals
- Amazon sells out of entry-level 13" Retina MacBook Pro amid rumors of slimmer model
- Dual-mic MacBook Air expected at WWDC, legacy MacBook Pro to remain without update
Previous Comments View All
I noticed the MacBook Pro Retina panel is quite a bit thicker than the MacBook Air's panel.
I noticed the MacBook Pro Retina panel is quite a bit thicker than the MacBook Air's panel.
It's because it includes a sheet of glass, which the Air does not.
I'm still trying to understand where the weight difference comes from, between this and the Air. Where is the extra pound from?
Either way my 2011 Air is still serving me fine. Was flirting with the idea of upgrading to this, but I'll wait till the next revision. Can't justify that price.
Beautiful system but the negatives vastly outweigh the positives in this version for me. No dedicated GPU, no Quad Core, 8gb max plus the significant price difference over the 13" MBP.
No performance increase over the 13" MBP other than SSD standard but as most of us know who read this site you can pick up a 128gb SSD drive for <$80 now and put it in a 13" MBP in about 10 minutes.
I wanted a 15" rMBP in a 13" package, this isn't it.
Pass.
Apple's first to market with a few technologies like Retina that will soon be commodified and available at much lower prices, and it certainly needs more power-sipping electronics, e.g., Haswell and more stuffed into the form factor, plus more powerful graphics (and CPU) processing to make it truly compelling. At least for those who don't have to buy one now and have specific demands for what it can do compared to the Air.
What I was expecting though after the 15 (or maybe even a bit less). The 13" Air certainly seems a better value in 2012 if it meets your user case. I really don't take my notebook out much any more for the moment, and the new Mac Mini and my old, but totally satisfactory to me 1600x1200 desktop monitor are feeling like a decent price/performance choice to get me through the next year to 18 months. Especially supplemented by a tablet for being out and about and not needing anything heavyweight (in power and apps) on those sojourns.
The 13" MBP is reputed to be Apple's top seller, no? (or is it the Air, I forget) But if it is, while I can sell Apple selling enough to make it a viable product, I can't imagine this one will be such a huger seller at these prices.
It's because it includes a sheet of glass, which the Air does not.
I'm still trying to understand where the weight difference comes from, between this and the Air. Where is the extra pound from?
Either way my 2011 Air is still serving me fine. Was flirting with the idea of upgrading to this, but I'll wait till the next revision. Can't justify that price.
Battery battery battery.
Pass.
Apple's first to market with a few technologies like Retina that will soon be commodified and available at much lower prices, and it certainly needs more power-sipping electronics, e.g., Haswell and more stuffed into the form factor, plus more powerful graphics (and CPU) processing to make it truly compelling. At least for those who don't have to buy one now and have specific demands for what it can do compared to the Air.
What I was expecting though after the 15 (or maybe even a bit less). The 13" Air certainly seems a better value in 2012 if it meets your user case. I really don't take my notebook out much any more for the moment, and the new Mac Mini and my old, but totally satisfactory to me 1600x1200 desktop monitor are feeling like a decent price/performance choice to get me through the next year to 18 months. Especially supplemented by a tablet for being out and about and not needing anything heavyweight (in power and apps) on those sojourns.
The 13" MBP is reputed to be Apple's top seller, no? (or is it the Air, I forget) But if it is, while I can sell Apple selling enough to make it a viable product, I can't imagine this one will be such a huger seller at these prices.
I believe that this one is a true beta tester for them. Since it's a 13" and it will sell (you can bet on it..), prices for some kwy components will come down, engineering will be perfected and before you know it, regular 13" and 15" models will disappear, and retina models prices will come down (400$, maybe). Only retina models and macbook air will be sold in 2014. Wanna bet?
I put a lot of thought into this, and fondled one the other night at the Apple store for a good half hour, but I decided to pass and just get an SSD for my 2009 13" MBP.
While I loved the screen and the size/weight, that price is ridiculous.
Here's hoping things improve with the 2013 revision.
Ordered one yesterday. Can't wait. If you use it for work and can afford it - yes, this is an amazing laptop, almost THE perfect laptop for me.
Though for any other circumstance I'm not so sure, as ignoring any of it's industrial design innovations and looking just at its specs - yes this is a very expensive machine for what you get.
I returned my MBP 13 Retina today to the apple store for a refund. It is a true machine of compromise. It runs hot compared to my MBA 13 even browsing simple webpages (too hot for your lap) and its noticeably heavier and bulkier. For that you get the same performance as the MBA and you're paying a whole lot extra. If it had quad core and a dedicated GPU I could justify the extra cost, weight and heat. But it does not. This article makes a big assumption stating that they didn't have room in the machine, when only a few days ago did we look at the iFixit comparison noting all the 'void/empty space ' inside the machine. Really disappointed with Apple on this one, this machine is basically a rip off.
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Lowest Prices Anywhere!
| Model | Price | You Save |
|---|---|---|
| 11"1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $964.18* | $34.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 11" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/128GB | $1,206.68* | $42.32 |
| 11"1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,400.68* | $48.32 |
| 11" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,691.68* | $57.32 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/128GB | $1,061.18* | $37.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/4GB/256GB | $1,255.18* | $43.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,352.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.3GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,643.18* | $46.82 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/256GB | $1,497.00* | $52.00 |
| 13" 1.7GHz/8GB/512GB | $1,788.68* | $60.32 |
* price with Promo Code:
APPLEINSIDER01
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| Click for even more configurations | ||
| Model | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (WiFi only) | |||
| 16GB WiFi |  |
$329.00 | $329.00 |
| 32GB WiFi | |
$429.00 | $429.00 |
| 64GB WiFi | |
$529.00 | $529.00 |
| iPad mini (WiFi + 4G) | |||
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| 16GB 4G White | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G White | $559.00 | $539.99 | $559.00 |
| 64GB 4G White | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
| 16GB 4G Black | $459.00 | $459.00 | $459.00 |
| 32GB 4G Black | $559.00 | $539.99 | $539.99 |
| 64GB 4G Black | $659.00 | $659.00 | $629.99 |
Haswell and 16gb option is a must before it can be considered a good investment.
I still see the macbook air as the best laptop (price/performance/quality) one can buy... it only needs an IPS display and even better battery life.