Apple Announces new MacBook Pro with retina display...

[bchernicoff]

I am also anxious to see how such high resolution works in the real world. Viewing some web pages on my 27" iMac with it's 256x1400 resolution is not without challenge. Usually, I just Cmd +  few times to scale the page's contents, but the effect is not always perfect with some UI elements and page layouts not playing along well. 2880x1800 resolution on a 15" screen will be a much greater challenge I think. I'm sure Safari will have special automatic scaling by default, but I don't use Safari. Will Chrome and Firefox their browsers for one model of laptop?

So, if most of the content the laptop consumes must be scaled, I ultimately have to wonder what the advantages of such high resolution will be.

UPDATE: I apparently you can't actually use it at 2880x1800. It forces you to scale the resolution to one of: 1024 x 640, 1280 x 800, 1440 x 900, 1680 x 1050 or 1920 x 1200. AnandTech has the write up: http://www.anandtech.com/show/5996/how-the-retina-display-macbook-pro-handles-scaling

So, now I really have to wonder.. I can't even view pictures at high resolution? So, basically this thing is useful for making text look smoother? Come on...

[samueljay]

It also hasn't been mentioned yet that they have killed the option for a non-glossy / matte screen, which I can imagine a lot of pros being very upset about, since it's still offered on the regular pro's for a premium (used to be the standard)

In regard to resolution, when I bought my Macbook Pro (15", 2009, Core i7) I opted for the Higher Resolution Anti-Glare screen, and boy am I glad I did, the extra resolution is definitely welcome, it means I can have an internet page and word document open at the same time, work in final cut with greater ease, and also work with photos in photoshop easier. The Retina display will be much better again! I was worried about the writing / screens being way too small to be readable, but it was never an issue

Also, I'm now in a similar situation as I was when I ordered my last laptop... I need to upgrade, and I've been wanting to upgrade to desktop (iMac) however they haven't upgraded them (similar situation last time) and as such, the Laptops have actually surpassed / matched the desktops in specs.. so it makes the decision a lot harder.

[NormanBates]

given how I work, a computer with no ethernet is useless to me
and no, a $100 thunderbolt-to-ethernet adapter is not a good solution

not that it matters, anyway, since thing costs twice as much as it shoud, and, right now, can only display 1920x1200, uprezzed
http://www.anandtech.com/show/5996/how-the-retina-display-macbook-pro-handles-scaling

[studio1972]

The really good news is that the retina display will surely be applied through the entire range over the next year or two, I'd like a 27" iMac with Retina (with 2 internal drives as well if possible).

[iTasneem]

It is too expensive

[Chewy734]

given how I work, a computer with no ethernet is useless to me
and no, a $100 thunderbolt-to-ethernet adapter is not a good solution

It's only $29.  If you're going to complain, might as well have your facts straight.  I'm also not happy about the lack of built-in ethernet, and I feel that if they weren't going to include it, they shouldn't charge the $29 for the accessory.  I have heard, however, that a small percentage of people are using ethernet these days, so I guess it was something they felt they could get rid of.  I must be an exception, since I use ethernet 100% of the time at work because of security reasons (they don't have wifi).

Also, to those of you out there who are complaining about the high price...  why do you think so?  Are there comparable laptops out there for much cheaper?

[bchernicoff]

Also, to those of you out there who are complaining about the high price...  why do you think so?  Are there comparable laptops out there for much cheaper?

I don't think asking if there are comparable laptops out there is the right question to ask. I don't see a single Windows user finally coming to Mac just because of this model.

The question is how does it compare to the other 15" Mac Book Pro? Why is this screen option limited to this thinner model. They are asking their customers to choose amongst trade-offs. Want the new screen and slightly decreased weight but willing to give up an optical drive, ethernet etc... buy this new model. It shouldn't be that choice. Both the standard 15" MBP and the new thinner one should have all three screen options (1440x900, 1680x1050, 2880x1800).

[Wilmark]

I cant wait for this technology to go mainstream -  24"+ at 250dpi. This is what is needed to improve the computing experience up the the next level. Windows needs to fix the issues with this though, I am sure apple will get it right. Windows cannot scale properly for high resolutions. Certain things must scale with the dpi and certain elements must remain the same size.  What i am really looking forward to is NO discernible pixels. However i am afraid that the average consumer is clueless about the importance of this technology. Most people dont distinguish between phones that have near HD resolutions and those that sill carry 600 x 480. When apple introduced the latest ipad the retina display was probably the most significant improvement - most consumers were more interested in improvements like more camera megapixels etc. So we may have to wait long for this to go mainstream. I know photography buffs will appreciate it.

[Chewy734]

Also, to those of you out there who are complaining about the high price...  why do you think so?  Are there comparable laptops out there for much cheaper?

I don't think asking if there are comparable laptops out there is the right question to ask. I don't see a single Windows user finally coming to Mac just because of this model.

The question is how does it compare to the other 15" Mac Book Pro? Why is this screen option limited to this thinner model. They are asking their customers to choose amongst trade-offs. Want the new screen and slightly decreased weight but willing to give up an optical drive, ethernet etc... buy this new model. It shouldn't be that choice. Both the standard 15" MBP and the new thinner one should have all three screen options (1440x900, 1680x1050, 2880x1800).

You make a valid point.  However, let's take the 15" MBP and add to it just the 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD options, since those are standard in the 15" MBP Retina.  What you see is that it costs $200 MORE than the Retina model.  So basically, you are getting the Retina display for $200 less, but giving up the optical drive, ethernet port, etc.  However, you are gaining additional ports.  Additionally, buying the external optical drive, ethernet port adaptor, etc will cost you much less than the $200 difference.

So, assuming you are willing to part with those options being built-in to the laptop, the Retina models are cheaper than the comparable non-Retina models.

The only thing that bothers me with this current lineup is the lack of the 13" MBP with Retina display.  It could've easily been done at a nicer price-point than the 15".

[Jettatore]

...Laptops have actually surpassed / matched the desktops in specs.. so it makes the decision a lot harder.

No, they haven't.  Albiet the marketing/naming conventions used are purposely confusing.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

[EchoLocation]

Also, to those of you out there who are complaining about the high price...  why do you think so?  Are there comparable laptops out there for much cheaper?

This is what I'm trying to figure out. I have a netbook now and a desktop for editing. I'm thinking about buying the 13 inch MBP for a year long trip I'm taking to South America next year to do photo editing on. Was thinking of getting the refurb i7 from the end of 2011 for around $1150. But now i'm wondering if I should just buy a smaller MacBook Air sized ultrabook(with hopefully better specs and around  the same price or cheaper than 1100 bucks.)
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Is windows or mac better for editing?
thanks in advance!

[TotoEC]

 Unless this MacBook can take pictures of the back of the lens cap or in total darkness, I'm not impressed!

[bornshooter]

how will lightroom work with this new retina display?i know aperture has been optimised for the retina display but thats no use to me anyway would be for quick edits on the go so maybe i am better with a macbook air as i have my current mbp and cinema display for work at home decisions decisions lol 

[Chewy734]

how will lightroom work with this new retina display?i know aperture has been optimised for the retina display but thats no use to me anyway would be for quick edits on the go so maybe i am better with a macbook air as i have my current mbp and cinema display for work at home decisions decisions lol

I'm sure Adobe will update their CS suite and LR software to accomodate the new, higher-resolution displays.  I don't think it's a matter of if, rather when.

[pdirestajr]

I have been in a dire need of an upgrade to my OLD 17" MacBook Pro Intel core 2 duo. The last model before the shiny black screen unibody version. I know, that was over 5 YEARS AGO! But it is still working flawlessly.

It was nice to be able to change the battery on my own on that version....

Any way, after the announcement I ran out and just picked up the latest/ last 17" model. I live in NYC, and I don't have the space for a "desktop". To me, the 17" is a perfect portable desktop.