“Apple is betting on the future needs of professionals with the Retina MacBook Pro,” Chris Foresman reports for Ars Technica.
“Not everyone is entirely ready for that future right now, though, so Apple is offering Ivy Bridge-bumped versions of the “old” 15″ and 13″ MacBook Pro for those who aren’t ready to make the leap,” Foresman reports. “But it’s clear where the proverbial puck is going to be, and the Retina MacBook Pro demonstrates Apple’s determination to skate there instead of where the puck is currently.”
“It’s difficult not to slip into hyperbole when it comes to the Retina MacBook Pro’s signature feature—the high-resolution ‘retina’ display. If you have used an iPhone 4 or 4S, or a third-generation iPad, you have some idea of what to expect: sharp text, crisp lines, and pixels that seem to disappear,” Foresman reports. “The screen does seem to resemble a printed page at the default setting, which treats the display as if it were a 15″ 1440×900 pixel screen as used in the ‘old’ MacBook Pro. This means that the effective screen real estate hasn’t changed—you still have the same amount of workspace. What has changed is that OS X will use four times the number of pixels to render UI elements, text, and more. The end result is that everything simply looks sharper and, frankly, better.”
Foresman reports, “Extra options can quickly bump the price of a Retina MacBook Pro up beyond $3,000, but its entry-level $2,199 seems quite reasonable compared to other portable Macs. Windows PC users may wince at the price, but which other vendor is offering what is essentially a quad-core 15″ ultrabook with comparable resolution? (Hint: none).”
Tons more in the full review – recommended as usual – here.
Related articles:
Apple’s new MacBook Pro is so good that it’s ruined the Internet – June 20, 2012
Teardown of MacBook Pro’s Retina display shows off ‘engineering marvel’ – June 19, 2012
AP reviews Apple MacBook Pro with Retina display: An epiphany, makes all other screens look dull and fuzzy – June 16, 2012
Reg Hardware reviews Apple’s MacBook Pro with Retina display: Drool-worthy – June 15, 2012
USA Today reviews Apple’s MacBook Pro with Retina display: Powerfully robust, an object of desire – June 14, 2012
ABC News reviews Apple’s MacBook Pro with Retina display: If you have the money, this is the one to buy – June 14, 2012
Engadget reviews Apple’s MacBook Pro with Retina display: Redefines the professional notebook – June 13, 2012
PC Magazine reviews Apple’s MacBook Pro with Retina display: Editor’s choice – June 13, 2012
Apple debuts new TV ad for MacBook Pro with Retina display: ‘Every Dimension’ (with video) – June 13, 2012
AnandTech analyzes Apple’s new MacBook Pro Retina display: ‘Everything is ridiculously crisp’ – June 12, 2012
Hands-on with Apple’s new MacBook Pro with Retina display (with video) – June 12, 2012
Apple unveils all new MacBook Pro with stunning Retina display – June 11, 2012
Get ready, Apple Retina-having laptop. MS Surface is coming for you. Not only does it have a “retina-ish” display, but it runs MF Windows (!!!)…and it has a KICKSTAND. That’s right. A motherfunking kickstand.
Kickstands are where the puck is going to be!
I like my kickstand. I like it a lot!
KIckstand. How innovative. My 1954 Schwinn bike had a kickstand. Like the Surface, it only worked in landscape mode.
A kick stand is what is needed to kick that ‘Surface’ like a football ! Very thoughtful of MS 😉
What’s more, the kickstand has been painstakingly engineered to sound like a luxury car door when closing! THAT is innovation, folks. People will be opening and closing their kickstand all day long because of the wonderful feel and sound.
The retina display isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, yet. Most programs look like crap on it. Those that play nice with the retina screen look fantastic.
I got Word to look good by setting the screen to 2880×1800 and then increasing the page by 300%. It looked great but then the menus are tiny! Another program that I use a lot, Logos, looked horrible at first but then after the res change looked great.
Fortunately changing the res is easy and fast.