The MacBook Pro line has finally been updated. The 13-inch and 15-inch models with the older designs have been updated with faster Ivy Bridge processors and better graphics. Then Apple introduced a new 15-inch model. At the WWDC 2012 event, Apple unveiled a new generation 15-inch MacBook Pro that’s thinner than the current model and sporting a Retina Display. Apple will only be shipping 13-inch and 15-inch models. The 17-inch variety has been scrapped.
The new 15-inch MacBook Pro comes in at only 4.46 pounds and measures only 0.71-inch thin. The new MacBook Pro’s Retina Display has 220 pixel-per-inch 2880 x 1800 resolution. This is lower than the 326 ppi display on the iPhone 4S and even the 264 ppi display of the new iPad. Still, no one should complain since it is still way, way better than the 1680 x 1050 pixels resolution on the current model. Apple says this is the highest resolution notebook display, and no one is contesting that. The display is improved not only on the resolution aspect, it also has higher contrast ratios, better viewing angles and reduced glare. To take advantage of this, Apple has also updated its stock apps, including Aperture and Final Cut Pro.
The rest of the specs include up to 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA Kepler GT 650M graphics, up to a quad-core 2.7GHz Core i7 processor, a maximum 768GB of SSD storage, and seven hours of battery life with 30 days standby. Apple removed the optical drive, so you will need an external drive if you want to play those DVDs. Apple likewise removed the Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports. Apple decided to replace these with two USB 3.0 ports and two Thunderbolt inputs. There’s also one HDMI port. The MagSafe connector has also been changed and is now thinner.
Pricing for the new generation MacBook Pro (mid-2012) starts at $2,199. That gets you 2.3GHz processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The new model ship today. For the refreshed 13-inch and 15-inch models (with old design), the price starts at $1,199 and $1,799, respectively.
