Apple updates 13-inch MacBook Pro, adding Retina Display, for $1,699

CNET - Apple has announced a 13-inch version of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display, which joins the 15-inch version introduced in June. The new 13-inch MacBook is thinner, measuring 0.75 inch, and lighter than previous models at 3.57 pounds, with a much higher screen resolution.

The 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro immediately became the high-end flagship of Apple's laptop line. This left the current 13-inch Pro a bit of an odd man out, with mainstream consumers flocking to the MacBook Air, and power users better served by the Retina and non-Retina 15-inch Pro. It was getting hard to figure out exactly who the 13-inch MacBook Pro was aimed at, besides users who still needed an optical drive in a 13-inch OS X laptop.

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Apple WWDC 2012: Apple announces next generation MacBook Pro

Next generation MacBook Pro announced at WWDC 2012.

 (Credit: CNET)

(CBS News) Apple announced Monday updates to their MacBook Pro line, introducing the company's next generation MacBook Pro.


CNET: WWDC 2012 live blog

Apple senior vice president Phil Schiller introduced the next generation MacBook Pro, which comes with Retina Display, weighs 4.46 pounds and is 0.71 inches thick. Apple calls it the world's highest-resolution notebook display, with a whopping 2880 x 1800 display. The next generation MacBook will ship with OS X Mountain Lion, an HDMI port, Thunderbolt and Intel Quad-core i7 processor.
"It's a true breakthrough in engineering - there's never been a notebook this thin, this light, this powerful for professional use. Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it in just a minute, I just want to enjoy this," Schiller said.    More

New details on the next-gen MacBook Pro

CNET -

The Next-Generation Macbook Pro 2012

 

Gizmodo - Have no doubt about this: Apple is revamping their MacBook Pro line in 2012 in a radical way—not merely evolutionary. We know this not because of the usual rumors, but because there is no way this will not happen.
This is what we expect.

A radical but logical change

 

When Steve Jobs said that the MacBook Air was the future of laptops, he was right. To the disgust of a vocal minority, Apple destroyed lots of ancient technology with the Air. They simplified its guts and squeezed its industrial design to create an amazing machine. The result was a huge success—and the whole industry started their photocopiers once again.

It’s only logical that they will take the same steps with their MacBook Pro. It’s not only a rational consequence of the Air, it’s also extremely convenient for their bottom line and their public image: The new MacBook Pros—and not the beefed-up iPad 3—will be the first real test for the new executive team at Apple.

They need to make a statement. Here’s how.

Faster guts

The new MacBook Pro will use Ivy Bridge, the new Intel 22-nanometer architecture with 3D transistors that will provide quite a speed boost over the current MacBooks. Intel estimates that it Ivy Bridge will provide a 20 percent performance boost with comparable Sandy Bridge laptops. Ivy Bridge also provides a 30 percent boost in integrated graphics performance, although these machines will use something stronger to drive graphic intensive applications (more on this later).

No hard drives

 

Screw the hard drives. It’s antiquated technology with a negative impact on battery life. Apple loves SSD and Apple users love SSD. They may not be the cheapest, but it’s the fastest, safest and most power efficient storage technology for mobile devices. Moving their entire laptop line to SSD will also give them more buying power, which will help them keep the same price and benefit margins.                   More

Apple MacBook Pro Fall 2011 - Review

The good: Incremental updates to the CPU help keep the MacBook Pro line a step above the now-mainstream Air. The trackpad and gesture controls are still the best of any current laptop.

The bad: Unless you need an optical drive, the MacBook Air may be better fit for most, and the Pro still lacks things we’d like to see, such as HDMI, Blu-ray, and USB 3.0.

The bottom line: A MacBook Pro is a significant investment, especially when adding in optional upgrades. Cost aside, there’s not a better choice (there are, however, some close ties) for an all-around powerhouse that will work in the home, office, and in between.

Read the Full Review

This Insanely Fast Gear Is Why Thunderbolt’s Gonna Matter Real Soon

Gizmodo - The Thunderbolt I/O interface is the darling of Apple and Intel. Introduced on the MacBook Pro line in late February, the port is still largely collecting dust.

The peripherals just haven’t materialized as quickly as many had expected, and unless you want to drop $1000 on an Apple Cinema Display, even getting something as simple as a hub is an exercise in futility.

Watch the Slideshow

Review: HP Envy 14 - Best MacBook Pro Alternative

The good: The HP Envy 14 gets updated with newer Intel processors and a new multitouch touch pad.

The bad: Despite the improvements, the touch pad gestures still can't match what you get from Apple's trackpad.

The bottom line: A much-needed update to its internal components makes HP's Envy 14 one of the best high-end laptops for those looking for a PC with the flair of a MacBook.

Read the Full Review