Object of desire
Incidentally, dual-band 2.4/5GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi reception also seemed better with this model, showing a strong signal and streaming the HD video even in the deadspot area of my office that normally confounds the Wi-Fi on my iPad.
Simply: gorgeous
Got job too, given the loss of Gigabit Ethernet from the standard package. The good news is that Apple has finally got around to adding a pair of SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports to its latest laptops and here, HDMI too. The bad news is that Firewire has gone – though it remains on the other MacBook Pro models just released – replaced by a second Thunderbolt port. As per Ethernet, there'll soon be a Thunderbolt-to-Firewire adaptor on sale.
Muzos will also be surprised to discover that – apart from the pair of built-in microphones – there’s no audio input at all, which means you’ll have to rely on USB, or perhaps the Thunderbolt adaptor for Firewire audio kit. Personally, Firewire I can live without, but I'll miss the mic jack.
A good, solid keyboard and big, button-integrated touchpad
Finally, Apple has changed its MagSafe power connector, for some reason, so any spare power supplies that you’ve bought in the past will be unusable with this model.
Verdict
It’s hard not to admire the all-round quality of Apple’s latest release. The Retina display leaves every other laptop display we’ve ever seen trailing in its wake. But just as important is the fact that Apple has managed to significantly reduce the size and weight of this Pro model without compromising performance.
It’s expensive, of course, and there are small niggles such as the lack of audio input. However, the MacBook Pro With Retina Display is a quality piece of kit that will have every Mac-loving pro semi-pro user on the planet drooling to get their hands on one. ®
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Apple 15in MacBook Pro with Retina Display
COMMENTS
Re: ....you failed.
"Yes it is compromising on connectivity. When will the Apple Fanbois realise that Apple it's slavish legions aren't going to bring Thunderbolt to the world as they've decided to trademark it for themselves and everyone else will now have to license if they want to use? How many "Thunderbolt" peripherals are there? And how that are available still carry a ridiculous apple-like price premium. Adapters are adapters, awkward, annoying and from Apple, ridiculously expensive."
You spelled 'Intel' wrong.
...you *do* know that it's an Intel technology... right?
Not wanting to be rude here - where are you finding an equivalent spec for £900? I'd be delighted to buy something with the same CPU/chipset for £900. The best I can find is around £1100 for a machine with less RAM and no SSD. Oh, and less competent graphics hardiware.
Where's the 15" screened model from a rival with the same resolution then?
Thought not.
Re: you still use optical drives?
Why, yes. My last copy of CS5 and Quark eXpress came on DVD as it happens, as did the operating system, OSX, I believe it was called.
About fucking time
I am looking forward to everybody and his dog copying that screen and finally killing the low-res crap we've had to put up with until now.
