A number of news sites have been able to go hands-on with Apple's newly announced 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina Display, both of which come with Intel's newest processors, offering increased battery life with improved performance.

macbookpro2013

Image courtesy of The Verge

TechCrunch says that the slightly slimmer 13-inch model is a "big change" compared to the older model and will likely be much easier to carry around.

The 13-inch version is a big change, however – the 3.46 lbs compared to the 3.57 of the last generation may not feel like much, but combined with a thickness of just 0.71 inches, it feels like a lot, and will probably be even more impressive if you’re carrying one around with you every day.

The Verge echoed that sentiment, noting that its new processor is a large improvement over the previous model.

Where the old model would stutter and lag on web pages and while working with images, the new model's Haswell processor with upgraded Iris graphics was totally smooth. Obviously we didn't get to test it too harshly, but if it holds up when we review it, the 13-inch Pro just reentered the conversation in a big way — especially since the base price is now just $1,299.

Unlike the 13-inch model, the 15-inch model doesn't seem to have a massive noticeable improvement on first impression. TechCrunch notes the new model seems "speedier" and "generally more responsive", while The Verge says the difference "isn't quite so clear."


Apple is offering the entry level 13-inch version for $1,299 and the entry level 15-inch model for $1,999. Apple's updated MacBook Pros are available today from its Online Store and at retail locations and come with Mavericks included.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro 14 & 16"
Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Top Rated Comments

Kariya Avatar
143 months ago
No IGZO display (even when Dell is now using it, with a higher red display), 15" has inferior battery life to 13", modest graphics bum (750), better wireless, faster storage with no standard capacity improvement, and no 17" reintroduction. Seriously, Apple? 16 months later and that's what you offer me? Are you smacked out of your minds?!? Everything else, great! 15" and above? Feels like a punch in the face.

Sorry it doesn't iron your clothes and make you a sandwich too.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mdelvecchio Avatar
143 months ago
No IGZO display (even when Dell is now using it, with a higher red display), 15" has inferior battery life to 13", modest graphics bum (750), better wireless, faster storage with no standard capacity improvement, and no 17" reintroduction. Seriously, Apple? 16 months later and that's what you offer me? Are you smacked out of your minds?!? Everything else, great! 15" and above? Feels like a punch in the face.

the entitlement is great with this one.

why not buy that Dell?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pscl Avatar
143 months ago
Iris Pro and Nvidia 750m is a downgrade?

read. hes talking about the BASE model.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
22mac Avatar
143 months ago
13" was a big upgrade but 15" was almost downgrade on graphics.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rudy69 Avatar
143 months ago
I was debating maybe picking up a new 15" rMBP (gave mine to my wife), but the new one doesn't really look "better", I think I'll look on craigslist or buy a refurb from Apple
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fpsBeaTt Avatar
143 months ago
No IGZO display (even when Dell is now using it, with a higher red display), 15" has inferior battery life to 13", modest graphics bum (750), better wireless, faster storage with no standard capacity improvement, and no 17" reintroduction. Seriously, Apple? 16 months later and that's what you offer me? Are you smacked out of your minds?!? Everything else, great! 15" and above? Feels like a punch in the face.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.1 With Apple Intelligence: New Features, Release Date, and More

Thursday October 10, 2024 8:26 am PDT by
iOS 18.1 will be released to the public in the coming weeks, and the software update introduces the first Apple Intelligence features for the iPhone. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18.1 to be released. iOS 18.1: Apple Intelligence Features Here are some of the key Apple Intelligence features in the iOS 18.1 beta so far: A few Siri enhancements, including improved understanding...
16 pro

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Introduce These 5 New Features

Friday October 11, 2024 8:55 am PDT by
While the iPhone 16 series was released just a few weeks ago, there are already many rumored features for the iPhone 17 models, and especially for the Pro models. Below, we recap five key new features rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max so far: 24MP front camera for all iPhone 17 models: All four iPhone 17 models will feature an upgraded 24-megapixel front-facing camera, according...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Stops Signing iOS 18.0

Thursday October 10, 2024 12:10 pm PDT by
Apple today stopped signing iOS 18.0, preventing iPhone users who have upgraded to iOS 18.0.1 from downgrading to iOS 18. Apple released iOS 18.0.1 a week ago on October 3. It is not unusual for Apple to stop signing older versions of iOS within a week or two after a new version of iOS is released. When Apple stops signing an update, it can no longer be installed on an iPhone due to a...
When Will Apple Launch More M4 Macs Feature

Will Apple Release M4 Macs Soon? Here's What the Latest Rumors Say

Thursday October 10, 2024 6:22 am PDT by
Apple often releases new Macs in the fall, but we are still waiting for official confirmation that the company has similar plans this year. We're approaching the middle of October now, and if Apple plans to announce new Macs before the holidays, recent history suggests it will happen this month. Here's what we know so far. As of writing this, it's been 220 days since Apple released a new...
space black mbp

Apple Potentially Facing Worst Leak Since iPhone 4 Was Left in a Bar

Monday October 7, 2024 3:03 pm PDT by
Alleged photos and videos of an unannounced 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M4 chip continue to surface on social media, in what could be the worst product leak for Apple since an employee accidentally left an iPhone 4 prototype at a bar in California in 2010. The latest video of what could be a next-generation MacBook Pro was shared on YouTube Shorts today by Russian channel Romancev768, just...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 2

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Tuesday October 8, 2024 5:45 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different – already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
ios 18 1 make primary

iOS 18.1 Includes Option to Set 'Primary' Email Address and Change iCloud Email

Friday October 11, 2024 3:55 pm PDT by
In iOS 18.1, there is a new option to set a "Primary" email address in the Settings app, which means it is easier to change the main email address associated with your Apple Account. The Primary email address is the one that is visible to other people when collaborating on and sharing documents, sending calendar invites, and more. Apple did not previously make it easy to change an Apple...
iPad mini review thumb

iPad Mini 7 Coming Next Month: What to Expect

Tuesday October 8, 2024 6:16 am PDT by
Rumors strongly suggest Apple will release the seventh-generation iPad mini in November, nearly three years after the last refresh. Here's a roundup of what we're expecting from the next version of Apple's small form factor tablet, based on the latest rumors and reports. Design and Display The new iPad mini is likely to retain its compact 8.3-inch display and overall design introduced with...