Apple updates MacBook Pro line with Ivy Bridge and Retina display, quietly kills 17-inch model

Aside from new Ivy Bridge-fitted MacBook Air models that will soon be getting free Mac OS X Mountain Lion OS upgrades, WWDC 2012 also saw the launch of the latest line of Apple MacBook Pros. Like the MacBook Air, the MacBook Pro has been updated to run on Intel’s third-generation Ivy Bridge processors as well as NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M graphics with 1GB of VRAM for better graphics performance. The latest Apple MacBook Pro models are also thinner than the previous ones. But the most interesting thing about these new laptops is the fact that they can now be purchased with high-resolution 15-inch Retina displays, much like the ones seen in the latest version of the Apple iPad.

The new MacBook Pro with Retina display from Apple features an IPS screen with 5.1 million pixels in it (max resolution: 2880×1800 pixels). There are a number of scaled resolutions available, and these are 1920×1200, 1680×1050, 1280×800, and 1024×640 pixels. As a result of the inclusion of a Retina displays, the new 15-inch MacBook Pro can now show ultra-fine text and images on the screen. This may be problematic for certain applications and programs, but where it works, it should work extremely well.

On the sides of the latest MacBook Pro models, you’ll find a total of two Thunderbolt ports, two USB 3.0 ports, a single HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, a built-in headphone port, and a MagSafe 2 power port. Wireless features include 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

The base configuration of the new 15-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM @ 1600MHz, and 256GB of flash storage. With full backlights on the keyboard and wireless features turned on, Apple says users should be able to get at least 7 hours of usage with it per full charge. It’s interesting to note that Apple is not releasing a 17-inch version of the new MacBook Pro with Retina display. The ultra-fine nature of text and images on the screen now should be less of a problem on such a model since it will have a larger display, but again, Apple seems to have decided to just quietly killed the 17-inch MBP here.

13-inch and 15-inch versions of the MacBook Pro will still be available, and both can be purchased with Intel Ivy Bridge processors as well. Pricing for the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 500GB hard drive starts at $1,199 USD (57,990 Pesos at the local online Apple store), while the new 15-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 4GB of RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M, and 500GB hard drive starts at $1,799 USD (87,990 Pesos). And as for the new 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, pricing starts at $2,199 USD (currently 107,990 Pesos at the local Apple online store). Do you think it’s worth it to upgrade to the new MacBook Pro with Retina display right now? Sound off in the comments.

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Apple launches new MacBook Air models with Ivy Bridge, FaceTime, and Mountain Lion OS

Apple’s recently concluded Worldwide Developer’s Conference in San Francisco, California saw the official unveiling of the latest MacBook Air models, which are now equipped with third-generation Intel Core i5 and Core i7 Ivy Bridge processors, as well as the latest version of Mac OS X. Both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions of the MacBook Air have been updated to feature 720p HD FaceTime HD cameras, Thunderbolt connectivity, and USB 3.0. And what’s more, both models can be upgraded to Mac OS X Mountain Lion for free as soon as it becomes available to Mac users all over the world.

With prices starting at just $999 USD (47,990 Pesos at the local Apple online store), the 11-inch MacBook Air is now more affordable than ever. It features an 11.6-inch 1366×768 LED-backlit LCD screen, at least 64GB of flash storage, 4GB of DDR3 RAM @ 1600MHz, and a 1.7GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with the base configuration. Graphics duties are handled by Intel HD Graphics 4000 which accompanies Ivy Bridge, and the built-in wireless features include 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. It also has a single Thunderbolt port on one side for extra functionality.

Meanwhile, the 13-inch MacBook Air is a bit more feature-rich. It has a 13.3-inch 1440×900 LED-backlit LCD screen, 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, at least 128GB of flash storage and the same amount of RAM. It also features the same wireless connectivity options along with support for Thunderbolt and USB 3.0. As an added extra, it also comes with a built-in SDXC card reader. Pricing for the 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1199 USD (the local Apple online store currently has it for 57,990 Pesos).

Battery life for the 11-inch MacBook Air is rated at 5 hours by Apple while the 13-inch model is rated at 7 hours. Currently, all models ship with Mac OS X Lion. But as mentioned earlier, users can upgrade their laptops to Mac OS X Mountain Lion for free as soon as it comes out, instead of paying extra cash for it. Since the latest models are already showing up in the local Apple online store, these should be available and in stock at most local Apple resellers this week.

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