The “Next Generation” MacBook Pro has arrived, and it basically is what the rumours suggested what it will be. No optical drive, featuring a retina display, no ethernet port – basically, reducing all the crap that was deemed not necessary by Apple. And this replaces the 17-inch model MacBook Pro in terms of specs, but it isn’t a 17-inch laptop. Rather, it’s only 15-inches.
There are two configurations possible: a 2.3GHz or a 2.6GHz processor, both quad-core Core i7 Ivy Bridge processors. Both have 8GB of RAM and a NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics with 1GB of GDDR5 memory. However, it has only flash memory, as opposed to a solid state drive, with 256GB in the 2.3GHz model and 512GB in the 2.6GHz model.
The 15-inch model has the Retina Display with 220 pixels-per-inch on an IPS display. It also has 75 percent less reflection and 29 higher contrast. In order to get a grasp on what the Retina Display will do for the MacBook Pro – in Final Cut Pro X, that video window is essentially showing the full 1080p screen resolution in that window (or as Apple claimed).
Other features include Two Thunderbolt ports, Two USB 3 ports, SDXC card slot, a HDMI port and the new MagSafe 2 port. However, this has no FireWire port despite it present on the MacBook Pro without the Retina Display, and no line in/out.
The 2.3GHz model will be priced at $2499, while the 2.6GHz model is priced at $3199. They start shipping today.