Apple has confirmed that a new model will be available for the 10th of April release – The Retina Macbook Build-To-Order will beef up the system to 1.3GHz for only 250$ more.
On the 10th of April, you’re going to have two reasons to visit the Apple store – the release date for the Retina Macbook coincides with the release of Apple’s Watch.
As stated just at the beginning of this month, the standard model will be available in stores for $1299 with a 1.1Ghz dual-core Intel Core M processor, 8 GB of memory, and 256 GB of flash storage. The ultra-thin 12-inch Retina Macbook laptop has a resolution of 2304×1440, with a new engineered keyboard that spans on the entirety of the device. Apple has stated that their new laptop will do good in the battery life department, and it will last between 9 to 10 hours depending on what you do with it – of course, your laptop will have a longer life if you just surf the web, write essays, instead of watching movies, or playing games. Apple has also stated that their new laptop can ” operate in silence”.
Unfortunately, the device will have only one port – a USB Type-C port. It serves several other functions – power, USB 3.1 connectivity, Display port 1.2, HDMI, and of course VGA. Maybe Apple will consider, in their future models, adding additional ports to their devices – one can only hope.
Like all existing Apple laptops on the market, it will have 802.11ac incorporated, and Bluetooth support.
The Retina Macbook is the thinnest laptop that Apple has ever created – standing at 13.1mm thick, their new device is 24% thinner than it’s 11-inch predecessor, and it will weigh about 2 pounds ( 0.9 kg).
Apple calls their new display paper thin, and they have every right to do so. At 0.88 millimeters, the 12-inch Retina display has been manufactured by a new process called edge-to-edge glass. At a resolution of 2304 x 1440, 226 pixels-per-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 178 degree viewing angle, it will make watching movies a blissful experience.
One minor change that is absolutely glorious is how Apple engineered their new keyboard – it includes a new butterfly mechanism that makes the keys 40 percent thinner, and are also 4 times more stable than those present in the traditional scissor mechanism. Each key is individually backlit with a single LED for uniform brightness.
Apple has added some new cool features, and the one that stands out the most seems to be the new Force Touch trackpad – it incorporates technology from Apple’s Watch. The new Force Click is designed to help users with daily tasks – by pressing hard after a click, users can pull up a word definition, navigate through a map, or look at a file preview. I don’t know how this will work out with some of us that have received the nickname butterfingers, but Apple is confident it will change, slightly, our lives.
For those of you who care about their laptops colour, you should know that the new Macbook will be available in its traditional silver, gold and space gray colours.
First impressions, and reviews are overwhelmingly positive – some have even said that the new Retina Macbook is the best laptop on the market.
If you’re planning on buying Apple’s new device this Friday, here’s the complete line-up:
– 1.1 GHz with 256 GB storage: $1299
– 1.3 GHz with 256 GB storage: $1549
– 1.2 GHz with 512 GB storage: $1599
– 1.3 GHz with 512 GB storage: $1749
The prices can be a shock to those who aren’t aware of the quality that Apple offers with their devices, but it’s worth the price. More so, those who wish to buy the 1.3GHz models will be able to turbo-charge their devices up to 2.9GHz, and paired with the Intel HD Graphics 5300 GPU it will make one hell of a 2 pound beast.
But even so, you should know that it doesn’t beat the 2015 entry-level Mackbook Air at 1.6 GHz. Benchmark tests performed by GeekBench have rated the Retina Macbook at 1924 – for single core – and 2044 – for multi-core – that’s way below Macbook Air’s rankings of 2881, and 5757. But still, it’s a high-performance laptop.
If you can’t make it this Friday to any of Apple’s stores, don’t fret. Angela Ahrendts, Apple’s Retail chief has encouraged customers to use their on-line store – ” The days of waiting in line and crossing fingers for a product are over for our customers. The Apple Store app and our online store make it much easier to purchase Apple Watch and the new MacBook. Customers will know exactly when and where their product arrives. This is a significant change in mindset, and we need your help to make it happen. Tell your customers we have more availability online, and show them how easy it is to order. You’ll make their day.”
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