Macbook pro 13" with retina Display

Andrew Moore · 8 Nov 2012 at 15:14

Can be found HERE

So then guys and gals! Whats your thoughts?

I just had a look at the £1699 model... no dedicated Nvidia GT650, lesser resolution (2560x1600 vs 2880x1800) and a dual core 2.5Ghz Dual Core i5 vs an 2.3Ghz Quad core i7....

Im disappointed

Would have been nice to have everything the same and charge £100 less as lets face it, its smaller (13" vs 15") and has a lesser screen resolution.

I think given the spec changes a price difference of £300 off the price of the 15" would be a better bet leaving it at £1499 for the 13" with 256GB SSD and £1799 for the 15" however a price point of £1449 for the 128GB leaves a bitter taste.

Whats your thoughts? Im not seeing good value in the 13" Retina at all if im honest.

sanofi · 8 Nov 2012 at 16:08

For those who want a smaller form factor but more power than an Air can provide.

Skyboat · 8 Nov 2012 at 16:21

Andrew Moore said:
Im not seeing good value in the 13" Retina at all if im honest.

This.

The 13" Air and the 15" rMBP offer much better value for money. I wish they could have sacrificed a bit of battery life (or even MOVE the battery, judging by the empty space available in the 13" rMBP teardown) and squeezed in the GT 650M at the very least. You also can't spec it to 16GB RAM either AFAIK.

pingwing · 8 Nov 2012 at 16:47

Yeah the 13" Retina is a little bit of a let down, I understand they have to make strong difference between the 13 and 15" ones but taking out the dedicated card is a bit over the top considering the price.

theheyes · 8 Nov 2012 at 17:00

Overpriced.

I don't get the fascination with these insane resolution displays personally.

GeX · 8 Nov 2012 at 17:12

theheyes said:
Overpriced.

I don't get the fascination with these insane resolution displays personally.

They're beautiful, and any other screen looks naff once you're used to them

Skyboat · 8 Nov 2012 at 17:26

GeX said:
They're beautiful, and any other screen looks naff once you're used to them

Which is why I don't want to get one

I just know my eyes will be 'spoilt' when I look at anything else afterwards.

Turbo-G · 8 Nov 2012 at 18:07

I'm also looking at the 13" rMBP as a second machine. My head says to get the base 15" at £100 more, but I do prefer the 13" form factor.

Hmmm

Vita · 8 Nov 2012 at 18:21

Get the 15".

Krowzer · 8 Nov 2012 at 18:48

Depends on how mobile you need it to be, then the 13" becomes better value for not being a pain in the ass to lug around.

N19h7m4r3 · 8 Nov 2012 at 19:21

I think it's just too underpowered without a dedicated graphics card.

Skyboat · 8 Nov 2012 at 19:30

Krowzer said:
Depends on how mobile you need it to be, then the 13" becomes better value for not being a pain in the ass to lug around.

This is true, but then the Air weighs next to nothing, and the 15" rMBP weighs the same as the old 13" MBP which can be carried around for a few hours at a time before starting to feel heavy.

theheyes · 8 Nov 2012 at 20:00

GeX said:
They're beautiful, and any other screen looks naff once you're used to them

Fair enough, but I don't see the practical benefits really especially when you factor in the cost. I'd rather have extra battery life.

Just my opinion though.

SmellyFingers · 8 Nov 2012 at 20:21

All macbooks = daylight robbery. This new retina 13" is £1,449 LMAO! Jokes aside i am actually quite peeved that Apple continue to do this. I mean just look at the specs, absolute tripe!

PardonTheWait · 8 Nov 2012 at 20:49

Too much money in my opinion. Most would be better off with a 15" pro for that money.

Turbo-G · 8 Nov 2012 at 21:01

It is expensive, but no denying a quality product. I'll be getting 18% discount which softens the blow somewhat.

N19h7m4r3 · 8 Nov 2012 at 21:14

Turbo-G said:
It is expensive, but no denying a quality product. I'll be getting 18% discount which softens the blow somewhat.

That's a huge discount. Even with a max student one I can only get 12% in Ireland through the campus.ie store

Spit · 8 Nov 2012 at 21:24

theheyes said:
Fair enough, but I don't see the practical benefits really especially when you factor in the cost. I'd rather have extra battery life.

Just my opinion though.

Have you used one?

GTRacer · 8 Nov 2012 at 21:52

theheyes said:
Fair enough, but I don't see the practical benefits really especially when you factor in the cost. I'd rather have extra battery life.

Just my opinion though.

For retina aware video/photo editing apps, you get all the benefits of a large res (more real estate to fit images/video in) without the downsides (having the UI look tiny). The 13" is terrible value though, but the 15" isn't bad at all when you spec up a regular 15" MBP to a similar level.

N19h7m4r3 · 8 Nov 2012 at 22:21

GTRacer said:
For retina aware video/photo editing apps, you get all the benefits of a large res (more real estate to fit images/video in) without the downsides (having the UI look tiny). The 13" is terrible value though, but the 15" isn't bad at all when you spec up a regular 15" MBP to a similar level.

Personally I'd pick a normal 15" MBP with 1GB 650m, so I can get a Matte screen. Then buy a 256gb SSD and remove the optical drive and place the normal HDD in there for storage.

That would be the perfect setup for me.

I also already have a 27" ips monitor if I'm at the desk and need a bigger display.

I have to agree with you on the 13" though. I don't even think it should be called a Pro, considering it only has integrated graphics.