After a long wait, Apple finally released the MacBook Pro 13.3 with its latest processor and design that has been well-received by pro photographers and graphic designers alike.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch now with Retina Display is the newest and most recent version of Apple’s popular laptop, powered by the latest Intel Core Haswell CPU with Intel Iris Graphics processor. To be honest, Apple’s naming approach is quite perplexing, given the device is still known as the Apple MacBook Pro.
The main change is that “with Retina Display” was added to the nomenclature to distinguish it from previous MacBook Pro iterations. Of course, model numbers vary, but model numbers are difficult to remember, and many people are confused by them. Anyway, let’s see what the new Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch has to offer. See below for details on its features, specs, costs, and where to acquire it. Below are some review videos to assist you in making your selection.
Features of the Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-Inch Retina Display
Essentially, the new Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-Inch Retina now has a magnificent 13.3-inch IPS Retina Display with a resolution of 25601600. The design is essentially the same as previous versions on the outside, but it is now smaller and lighter at 0.71-inch and 3.46 lbs. Thanks to its IPS Retina display, which offers substantially broader viewing angles and less glare than the previous version, the display is much superior.
The Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch Retina, as well as its larger 15.4-inch sibling, is the first laptop to offer two Thunderbolt 2 connections, two USB 3 connectors, and an HDMI port, allowing you to expand your connectivity choices. You get the newest Intel Core Haswell Processor with Intel Iris Graphics under the hood.
The Intel Core i5-4278U CPU with a basic clock speed of 2.6GHz, a Turbo Boost speed of up to 3.1GHz, 3MB Cache, and 5100 Intel Iris Graphics graphics processor is used in the 13.3-inch variants. The CPU of the 128GB MGX72LL/A and 256GB MGX82LL/A variants is the identical. The 512GB MGX92LL/A model, on the other hand, is equipped with an Intel Core i5-4308U processor with a base clock speed of 2.8GHz and a boost clock of 3.3GHz, as well as 5100 Intel Iris Graphics.
Meanwhile, the larger Apple MacBook Pro 15.4-inch Retina is equipped with a more powerful Intel Core i7-4770HQ processor clocked at 2.2GHz with 6M Cache and up to 3.40 GHz boost for the 256GB model, and Intel Core i7-4870HQ processor clocked at 2.5GHz with 6M Cache and up to 3.70 GHz Boost for the 512GB model. Get the 15.4-inch MacBook Pro Retina instead if your job involves multitasking, picture or video editing, or anything more demanding than normal.
You may also be interested in: Apple MacBook Pro with Intel Haswell Processor
Apart from the latest Intel Core Haswell CPU, the Apple MacBook Pro Retina has a PCI-E based SSD storage drive (Solid State Drive), which is quicker than SATA based SSDs. With speeds up to 1300Mbps, it also has faster 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 connection.
In the video reviews below, you’ll discover more about the new Apple MacBook Pro Retina 13.3-inch. Meanwhile, have a look at the rest of the details down below.
Specifications for the Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-Inch Retina Display
| Specifications | 13-Inch Retina Display | 15-Inch Retina Display |
|---|---|---|
| System of Operation | Mavericks is the latest version of OS X. | Mavericks is the latest version of OS X. |
| Display | 13.3-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit display using IPS technology, with a resolution of 2560 by 1600 pixels at 227 pixels per inch. | LED-backlit, 15.4-inch (diagonal) display with IPS technology; 2880-by-1800 resolution at 220 pixels per inch. |
| Processor | 128GB: Intel Core i5 processor (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache, 2.6GHz dual-core (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz). | 256GB: Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU (Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache, 2.2GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.4GHz). |
| 256GB: Intel Core i5 CPU (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache, 2.6GHz dual-core (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz). | 512GB: Intel Core i7 quad-core CPU (Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz) with 6MB shared L3 cache, 2.5GHz (Turbo Boost up to 3.7GHz). | |
| 512GB: Intel Core i5 CPU (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz) with 3MB shared L3 cache, 2.8GHz dual-core (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz). | ||
| Memory | Onboard memory is 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L. | Onboard memory is 16GB of 1600MHz DDR3L. |
| Volume of Storage | PCIe-based flash storage with capacities of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Up to 1TB of flash storage may be configured. | PCIe-based flash storage with capacities of 256GB and 512GB. Up to 1TB of flash storage may be configured. |
| Graphics | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 | Intel Iris Graphics 5100 |
| With 2GB of GDDR5 RAM and automated graphics switching, the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M is a powerful graphics card. | ||
| Camera | FaceTime HD camera with 720p resolution | FaceTime HD camera with 720p resolution |
| Connectivity | Power port MagSafe 2 | Power port MagSafe 2 |
| There are two Thunderbolt 2 ports (up to 20 Gbps) | There are two Thunderbolt 2 ports (up to 20 Gbps) | |
| There are two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps) | There are two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps) | |
| HDMI port | HDMI port | |
| Port for headphones | Port for headphones | |
| SDXC card reader | SDXC card reader | |
| Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter for Apple (sold separately) | Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter for Apple (sold separately) | |
| Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Apple (sold separately) | Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Apple (sold separately) | |
| Wireless Networking | Bluetooth 4.0 compatible WiFi 802.11ac IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n | Bluetooth 4.0 compatible WiFi 802.11ac IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n |
| Audio | Speakers in stereo | Speakers in stereo |
| a pair of microphones | a pair of microphones | |
| Port for headphones | Port for headphones | |
| Keyboard | Backlit full-size keyboard with 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and four arrow keys (inverted “T” configuration), and ambient light sensor. | Backlit full-size keyboard with 78 (US) or 79 (ISO) keys, including 12 function keys and four arrow keys (inverted “T” configuration), and ambient light sensor. |
| Trackpad | Inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, threefinger swipe, fourfinger swipe, tap, doubletap, and drag capabilities are all supported by the multitouch trackpad. | Inertial scrolling, pinch, rotate, swipe, threefinger swipe, fourfinger swipe, tap, doubletap, and drag features are all supported by the multitouch trackpad. |
| Dimensions | 0.71 inch in height (1.8 cm) | 0.71 inch in height (1.8 cm) |
| 12.35 inches in width (31.4 cm) | 14.13 inches in width (35.89 cm) | |
| 8.62 inches in depth (21.9 cm) | 9.73 inches in depth (24.71 cm) | |
| Weight | 3.46 kilograms (1.57 kg) | 4.46 kilograms (2.02 kg) |
| Power and Battery | Approximately 9 hours | Approximately 8 hours |
| Built-in lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 71.8 watt-hours | Built-in lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 95 watt-hours | |
| MagSafe 2 Power Adapter, 60W | MagSafe 2 Power Adapter, 85W | |
| Needs for Operation | AC line voltage ranges from 100 to 240 volts. | AC line voltage ranges from 100 to 240 volts. |
| 50Hz to 60Hz is the frequency range. | 50Hz to 60Hz is the frequency range. | |
| –13° to 113° F (–25° to 45° C) storage temperature | –13° to 113° F (–25° to 45° C) storage temperature | |
| Noncondensing relative humidity ranges from 0% to 90%. | Noncondensing relative humidity ranges from 0% to 90%. | |
| Operating altitude: up to 10,000 feet has been tested. | Operating altitude: up to 10,000 feet has been tested. | |
| 15,000 feet is the maximum storage altitude. | 15,000 feet is the maximum storage altitude. | |
| 35,000 feet is the maximum shipping altitude. | 35,000 feet is the maximum shipping altitude. | |
| Warranty | A 90-day free phone support period is included, as well as a one-year limited warranty. | A 90-day free phone support period is included, as well as a one-year limited warranty. |
Price and Purchase Information
Apple’s new 13.3-inch Retina MacBook Pro with Haswell and Iris Graphics is now readily available. The models offered are shown below, along with their best pricing and purchase links.
128GB Model (MGX72LL/A) – Check out B&H Photo and Video for the best deal. 256GB Model (MGX82LL/A) – Check out B&H Photo and Video for the best deal. 512GB Model (MGX92LL/A) – Check out B&H Photo and Video for the best deal.
Meanwhile, if you prefer the bigger and quicker 15.4-inch model, the versions available and their costs are shown below.
256GB Model (MGXA2LL/A) – Check out B&H Photo and Video for the best deal. 512GB Model (MGXC2LL/A) – Check out B&H Photo and Video for the best deal.
For UK users, the Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display is also available on Amazon UK.
Should I Choose a Capacity? 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
Some of you may be unsure about the capacity you need. On my experience, a 128GB storage capacity is really limiting, and you’ll need to save your other stuff on an external hard drive or in the cloud. The 256GB and 512GB capacities provide larger storage space, while the 512GB capacity has a significantly faster CPU. Get the one with the higher capacity if you want to store more files and install more apps.
Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch vs. Retina MacBook Pro 15.4-inch
The Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch Retina will be used by the vast majority of individuals. The Core i5 dual-core CPU isn’t particularly slow (though it isn’t very powerful), and it’s more than capable of doing office work and other low-demanding chores. It’s also easier to transport since it’s smaller and lighter.
Meanwhile, if you require a powerful Apple MacBook Pro Retina, the 15.4-inch model is recommended since it has a more powerful Intel Core i7 quad-core processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, which is ideal for content production, intensive multitasking, video, and picture editing and rendering. This model is ideal for content makers and professionals that want a laptop that is capable of meeting their requirements.
Why Isn’t Yosemite OS Available?
All models come with OS X Mavericks as of today. The most recent OS, OS X Yosemite v10.10, is yet to be launched. It is presently under beta testing and is expected to be launched in late 2014. But don’t panic; once Yosemite is published, you’ll most likely be able to update your existing OS X to the most recent version.
Review of the Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch with Retina Display
You created the video below for the Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch Retina / Haswell Review:
MobileTechReview has another another in-depth Apple MacBook Pro review video:
