Apple’s collective interpretation of what a “next generation” pro-level notebook should be, the new model introduces the first design change in many variations and marks the debut of Retina screen technology on a Mac PRO. There’s no doubts on the specifications, but with prices starting from $2,199 – a $400 premium over the regular MacBook Pro, which stays on sale alongside – is the MacBook Pro with Retina Display is too rich for the market?
At first glance, then, it’s familiar from the persistent design of the previous model.Both base section and lid have been trimmed to get the thickness down to 0.71-inches, with some casualties along the way.
Most obvious of those is the optical drive. Just as Apple led the way in removing the floppy drive from its desktops years ago, now the DVD burning SuperDrive has been relegated to external (and optional) peripheral. Priced at $79, it connects via USB and works with not only the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display but the MacBook Air and Mac mini.
HDMI is a welcome inclusion, as is the much-requested upgrade from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 Thunderbolt’s huge throughput and a growing number of adapter cables It’s worth noting that, although there are potentially three display connections, the new MacBook Pro can only support two external monitors (at up to 2560 x 1600) plus its own Retina Display panel.
The Retina Display of the new MacBook Pro is the notebook’s best feature. Running at 2880 x 1800, it delivers four times the standard resolution of the previous Pro, and finally capable of showing iOS developers a full-size preview of apps for the new iPad. Apple’s “Retina” branding refers to whether the human eye is capable of individually-distinguishable pixels at a typical user-distance, hence this 221 ppi panel getting the label while not matching the 264ppi of the new iPad or 326ppi of the iPhone 4S, each of which are expected to be held closer to your face.
There is one issue, though it’s not necessarily one that Apple can directly address. Applications must support the Retina Display with suitably high-resolution graphics, and if they don’t it’s a recipe for visual disaster. Apple’s own Mail, Calendar, Address Book, Safari, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie are all Retina-optimized, but most third-party apps aren’t, and the difference between them is obvious.
At first glance, then, it’s familiar from the persistent design of the previous model.Both base section and lid have been trimmed to get the thickness down to 0.71-inches, with some casualties along the way.
Most obvious of those is the optical drive. Just as Apple led the way in removing the floppy drive from its desktops years ago, now the DVD burning SuperDrive has been relegated to external (and optional) peripheral. Priced at $79, it connects via USB and works with not only the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display but the MacBook Air and Mac mini.
HDMI is a welcome inclusion, as is the much-requested upgrade from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 Thunderbolt’s huge throughput and a growing number of adapter cables It’s worth noting that, although there are potentially three display connections, the new MacBook Pro can only support two external monitors (at up to 2560 x 1600) plus its own Retina Display panel.
The Retina Display of the new MacBook Pro is the notebook’s best feature. Running at 2880 x 1800, it delivers four times the standard resolution of the previous Pro, and finally capable of showing iOS developers a full-size preview of apps for the new iPad. Apple’s “Retina” branding refers to whether the human eye is capable of individually-distinguishable pixels at a typical user-distance, hence this 221 ppi panel getting the label while not matching the 264ppi of the new iPad or 326ppi of the iPhone 4S, each of which are expected to be held closer to your face.
There is one issue, though it’s not necessarily one that Apple can directly address. Applications must support the Retina Display with suitably high-resolution graphics, and if they don’t it’s a recipe for visual disaster. Apple’s own Mail, Calendar, Address Book, Safari, iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie are all Retina-optimized, but most third-party apps aren’t, and the difference between them is obvious.
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