MacBook Pro 13″ Retina Released: Specs & Prices

Posted by Kalpesh Gamit

An all new Retina version of the MacBook Pro 13″ has been released. Starting at $1699, it’s available beginning today, October 23, and it’s quite a powerhouse in a surprisingly lightweight package. Here are the base model specs:

Base Specs

13.3″ Retina IPS display at 2560×1600 resolution
2.5GHz Core i5 CPU or greater
8GB RAM, upgradeable to 16GB via build-to-order
128GB or larger SSD
Intel HD 4000 GPU
7 hour battery life
Unibody aluminum enclosure
HDMI, SD Card reader, USB 3.0 ports
FaceTime HD camera
Backlit keyboard
3.5lbs
0.75″ thin, 20% thinner than prior model

Of course there will be build-to-order options, and other variations will be available in the following configurations.

Retina MacBook Pro 13″ Models & Pricing

Base: 2.5GHz Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD – $1699
Mid: 2.5GHz Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
Upper: 2.9GHz Core i7, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD

The original non-retina MacBook Pro 13″ still remains in Apple’s lineup, though it’s clear that the thinner, lighter, more powerful retina versions are the future of the MacBook Pro. If you’re in the market for a new Mac and can afford the difference in pricing, get the retina model.

OS X Mountain Lion Will Be Released Tomorrow, July 25

Posted by Kalpesh Gamit

No more rumors or speculation, Apple CEO Tim Cook has confirmed that OS X Mountain Lion will launch tomorrow, July 25:

“We’re thrilled with record sales of 17 million iPads in the June quarter,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’ve also just updated the entire MacBook line, will release Mountain Lion tomorrow and will be launching iOS 6 this Fall. We are also really looking forward to the amazing new products we’ve got in the pipeline.”

That quote comes directly from Apple’s PR library ahead of the Q3 2012 earnings call this afternoon, and also serves to reiterate the release date of iOS 6 later this year, while also teasing for whatever “amazing new products” (new iPhone? iPad mini?) Cook is referring to.

OS X Mountain Lion Will Be Released Tomorrow, July 25

As we mentioned earlier in our recap of things to do before installing Mountain Lion, you’ll want to back up your Mac before installing OS X 10.8 on your Mac.