AppleInsider Staff
Apple on Tuesday refreshed its MacBook Pro with Retina display line of laptops, bringing faster Intel Haswell processors and, for the 15-inch models and entry 13-inch model, double the standard memory.
As detailed by the Online Apple Store, the upgraded base model configurations get 200MHz CPU speed boosts across the board with Intel's latest Core i5 and Core i7 processors, while the entry-level 15-inch model now comes with 16GB of RAM standard, doubling a previous 8GB. Prices remain steady save for the high-end 15-inch variant with discrete NVIDIA graphics, which gets a $100 price cut.
The entry-level 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro starts at $1,299 and comes with a 2.6GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, and 128GB of PCIe-based flash storage. It also sports 8 gigabytes of RAM, which is double the 4 gigabytes its predecessor packed for the same price.
A $1,499 mid-tier version boasts the same internals, but gets a 256-gigabyte SSD, while the top-end 13-inch laptop sports a 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5, 8 gigabytes of memory and 512 gigabytes in flash storage for $1,799. Intel's integrated Iris Graphics chipset makes a return on all 13-inch models.
Two larger-screened 15-inch base models see the same 200MHz CPU speed bump, with the low-end $1,999 version featuring a 2.2GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 16 gigabytes of memory, 256-gigabyte SSD and Iris Pro Graphics.
As noted above, Apple dropped the price of its top-tier 15-inch model with discrete graphics by $100, bringing the laptop down to $2,499. Inside, the high-end version sports a 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, 512-gigabyte SSD and Intel Iris Pro Graphics with a discrete NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M graphics card. For an additional $200, customers can drop in a 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 with Turbo Boost up to 4.0GHz.
"People love their MacBook Pro because of the thin and light, aluminum unibody design, beautiful Retina display, all day battery life and deep integration with OS X," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The MacBook Pro with Retina display gets even better with faster processors, more memory, more affordable configurations and a free upgrade to OS X Yosemite this fall."
Word of Apple's updated Retina MacBook Pro line leaked online this past weekend when photos of in-store signage revealed detailed specs for three 15-inch configurations. A subsequent rumor on Monday claimed both 13-inch and 15-inch models would get a refresh today.
The last Retina MacBook Pro update came in October of 2013, when Apple first introduced Intel's Crystalwell-based Iris Graphics chipset to the lineup.
For a full model list, check AppleInsider's Mac Price Guide in the coming hours as more models are made available for order. For instance, MacMall is already taking orders for dozens of configurations, including the five standard retail configurations which will begin shipping out later today or Wednesday at the latest. The other models will take between 5-7 days extra. When using the links in the Price Guides and then applying coupon code APPLEINSIDER01, you'll save an extra 3%. Make sure you have cookies turned on and use the links in the price guides. Orders are filled in the order they are received. Additionally, MacMall only charges sales tax on orders shipped to CA, CO, GA, IL, MN, NC, NY, TN, and WI. For readers who live in one of those states, B&H only charges tax on orders shipped to NY and Adorama on orders shipped to NY & NJ. Both those retailers tell AI they will begin shipping out the 5 standard configs tomorrow, regardless of what the backorder indictor on their online stores say.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
77 Comments
And if you check out the online refurbished store there are some big discounts on the end-of-line clearance stock!
High-end 15" has a 512GB SSD, not 256GB as stated in the last paragraph above.
[quote name="Andy-UK" url="/t/181601/apple-releases-refreshed-macbook-pro-with-retina-display-lineup-with-faster-cpus-more-ram-standard#post_2570548"]And if you check out the online refurbished store there are some big discounts on the end-of-line clearance stock![/quote] Yeah, there are some pretty good deals to get there, as much as 37% off. The entry MBP is still $1999 with Iris Pro and you can get the 2013 model with the 650M for $1489 (32% off): http://store.apple.com/us/product/FE664LL/A/refurbished-154-inch-macBook-Pro-24ghz-Quad-core-Intel-i7-with-retina-Display It doesn't have 16GB of RAM but you can get that for $1649: http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0PY0LL/A/refurbished-154-inch-macBook-Pro-24ghz-Quad-core-Intel-i7-with-retina-Display $350 off so you can effectively get the 3 year warranty free or just save the money. Anyone still holding out for a Mac Mini might want to consider jumping on these deals while they are available.
Why is Apple still keeping the Non Retina Macbook Pro? If people are complaining about entry iMac, this MBP is an even worst deal.
I was hoping that Apple would use the revision to revisit their UK prices, but alas they have not. Apple’s pre-tax price of the entry-level 15” model is equivalent to $2265, and our high sales tax of 20% takes the final price to $2718. Of course Apple can’t do anything about the tax, but a premium of $265 over the US price is not justifiable. I have defended Apple in the past, as it does cost more to do business here and some price premium is to be expected, but this is too much. It is cheaper for me to fly to the US, buy a MBP, and fly back again. Surely this can’t be right?