Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display Review (2012) Discussion

[J.R. Nelson]

Overview

The next-generation MacBook Pro with Retina Display - it's a mouthful of a name. Apple's latest notebook represents the culmination of a number of trends from one of the industry's most visible players - from unibody aluminum construction to soldered-in components; from solid-state storage to the much-vaunted Retina Display.

Apple clearly has a vision for where they want to take portable computing, and while impressive, it has its drawbacks, too. Let's jump into things by taking a look at the MacBook Pro's most talked about feature: its stunningly high resolution display.

Read the full content of this Article: Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display Review (2012)

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[Andrew Baxter]

The screen - oh my god, the screen

So how do you really feel? Nice detailed coverage there on the screen, quite obviously the most important and unique buying aspect of this notebook.

But more importantly, how does this fair in a backpack? Is it as fragile and breakable as your MacBook Air

[J.R. Nelson]

So how do you really feel? Nice detailed coverage there on the screen, quite obviously the most important and unique buying aspect of this notebook.

But more importantly, how does this fair in a backpack? Is it as fragile and breakable as your MacBook Air

This one feels harder to break, man.

[knight427]

I want to make that clear - if display quality is paramount to you, for whatever reason, this is the only laptop you should remotely be considering. It's simply that good.

So it's better than DreamColor 2 from HP? How about when you use 1920x1200 on the rMBP, still better than DC2?

[MrSatan]

Why was this machine given a star and half in Upgrade Capabilities? It should be only half a star.

[Aikimox]

So it's better than DreamColor 2 from HP? How about when you use 1920x1200 on the rMBP, still better than DC2?

Resolution wise - yes. everything else - nope. The DC2 is still miles ahead in terms of color depth. The Retina screen can only cover sRGB.

[J.R. Nelson]

Why was this machine given a star and half in Upgrade Capabilities? It should be only half a star.

I honestly feel that between 2 thunderbolt ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports that you can definitely expand upon the capabilities and resources of the base model. Future laptops from any manufacturer will probably rely on this more and more, and if there were a stronger Thunderbolt ecosystem, the rMBP may have scored higher here.

So it's better than DreamColor 2 from HP? How about when you use 1920x1200 on the rMBP, still better than DC2?

This is a good point, which someone has already answered. I did neglect to cover the color depth of this display - which is not, honestly, better than HP's DreamColor setup.

I find the increased resolution and screen sharpness more useful in my day-to-day, though, since I don't have to do color critical print work. Thanks for bringing it up, since it's something I should have discussed.

[Aikimox]

@J.R.,

Great review, BTW!

Did you try repasting the CPU/GPU? I wonder if this would reduce the temps by some 5-10c...

[Karamazovmm]

@J.R.,

Great review, BTW!

Did you try repasting the CPU/GPU? I wonder if this would reduce the temps by some 5-10c...

sincerely it should! the paste job that apple did in the early 2011 models was just awful, people reduced around that with a proper paste job, however this was not for the faint of heart, the cables were so thin and I was constantly afraid that I would snap one, but in the end was wroth it.

In this model this should be extremely easier, when compared to the older models.

Good review!

[J.R. Nelson]

@J.R.,

Great review, BTW!

Did you try repasting the CPU/GPU? I wonder if this would reduce the temps by some 5-10c...

Thanks!

And no, I just moved and lost my Apple-don't-try-to-open-your-notebook set of screwdrivers; I need to find some more - I smell a future article, maybe?