Apple MacBook Pro Review: Ivy Bridge and Nvidia GPU

For the first time, Apple has integrated its Retina Display on a non-iOS device on its 2012 MacBook Pro 15-inch. The tech world has accepted the news of Retina Display’s introduction of MacBook Pro with much fervour. The Cupertino tech giant announced the new version of its flagship professional notebook at WWDC 2012.

The new MacBook Pro, apart from the revolutionary Retina display, shows off many other incredible features. The machine is powered by Intel’s latest Ivy Bridge chips and it is to run on the imminent OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion OS.

Retina Display

As per Apple, the new MacBook Pro has “the world’s highest-resolution display.” This is certainly the most important feature of the notebook. The advanced display technology generates a high clarity screen that shows everything remarkably vibrant, detailed and sharp. Indeed, it is the “most jaw-dropping Retina display yet” thanks to its uncompromising display clarity and perfection.

Retina Display works quite marvellously on the MacBook Pro. The device packs over 5 million pixels into a 15.4-inch display; that is you will get stunning image clarity. The display features a resolution of 2880 x 1800 pixels. When it comes to contrast ratio, the Retina MacBook Pro is 29 percent better than a standard MacBook Pro screen. Rich IPS panel technology, 178-degree viewing angle and other features make the notebook an amazingly wonderful product, indeed.

Intel Core i7 processor

The entire MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 2012 upgrades come with the fastest mobile quad-core processor, Intel Ivy Bridge Core i7. It is the chip that provides strength for the new MacBook Pro 15-inch as well. The state-of-the-art 22nm Ivy Bridge processor delivers dazzling performance for the notebook. The processor promises speeds up to 2.7GHz and 6MB of shared L3 cache for the notebook. Running high-end programs like Final Cut Pro, Aperture and others will be not a task with the powerful processor inside the machine.

Next generation Nvidia graphics

To match with the Core i7 CPU, Apple has integrated next-gen Nvidia GeForce GT 650M GPU inside the notebook. The graphics card is based on the next version Kepler architecture with 1GB of video memory. Thanks to the advanced specs, the Retina notebook has 60 percent faster graphics performance than the former version of the notebook. The GPU is also able to provide sufficient power to drive the astonishing 5-million-pixel Retina display. Well, the Pro becomes a powerful machine for gaming and enjoying HD videos with thanks to the power graphics.

OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion

Apple demoed the new version of its operating system for Macs at WWDC 2012. The Mountain Lion is anticipated to go public sometime late this year. The Retina MacBook Pro and other Pro and MacBook Air versions have gone on sale with the current OS X 10.7 Lion. When the new version comes out, it will be available for free for the owners of the notebooks. The Mountain Lion will be known for its introduction of lots of iOS-inspired features such as an advanced Notification Center, Messages app, AirPlay Mirroring, iCloud and more.

Ports and connections

The Retina MacBook Pro sports an array of rich and high-performance ports for connectivity. It has two Thunderbolt ports, three USB 3.0 ports, an SDXC card slot and a HDMI port. Thunderbolt port is the fastest way to transfer data between two devices using a cable. For internet connectivity, you have Wi-Fi 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless connectivity.

Final thoughts

In weeks after its announcement at WWDC 2012, Apple has brought the Retina MacBook Pro into stores. Apple sells the notebook with a huge price, however. Well, the Retina Display mounted MacBook Pro doesn’t come cheaper; you have to spend a minimum of $2,199 to get even the entry-level version of the machine. The Retina MacBook Pro certainly boasts the name that it is the first Apple computer to get the Retina Display, which is already on iPhone 4, 4S and the new iPad. Maybe, in future, we can expect Retina display on many more Apple products including MacBook Air series.

Source: Nvonews

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New Apple MacBook Air 13 Review

In the constant cycle of tablet and smartphone news, the seemingly minor upgrade to Apple’s MacBook Air barely made headlines. That’s not really surprising, especially after the announcement of the Retina ready MacBook Pro. A next generation Intel CPU and graphics processor, USB 3.0 ports, and more flash storage don’t sound all that impressive.

In reality, this iterative update makes the MacBook Air the perfect laptop.
Same on the outside, shiny on the inside

Generally considered the premier Ultrabook (though it’s not officially labeled one), the MacBook Air is an excellent laptop that offers a near-perfect balance of size and power. It remains the thinnest and lightest 13” and 11” Ultrabook on the market.

I liked last year’s 13” model so much that I bought one, and still find the design and power superb for most personal and work applications. But what’s remarkable about the 2012 model — and this has nothing to do with Apple — is the performance boost gained solely from Intel’s latest Ivy Bridge chipset.

Last year’s MacBook Air ran on the then-new Sandy Bridge i5 processor, and my model was the top-of-the-line i7 with 4GB of RAM, priced at $1,800. The latest unit drops the price by $100 and offers the updated i5 or i7 at faster clock speeds while also doubling the RAM to 8GB. For less money, this year’s stock MacBook Air outperforms last year’s high-end model by 150% for nearly every application. (The 13-inch MacBook Air starts at $1,199 for a 1.8Ghz i5 processor and 4GB of RAM.)

Aside from the internal components, little has actually changed with the MBA. It uses the same heat dissipation techniques, the same basic architecture, the same display, and the same keyboard. There are a few differences, like improved viewing angles and increased brightness on the glossy 1440 by 900 display, as well as better color accuracy, something the 2011 model has serious trouble with. The keys are also slightly elevated for a deeper feeling keyboard, which is more comfortable to type with. Put the two models together however and anyone would have trouble knowing which was newer.

Improved enough to all but eliminate the problems

Stress the laptops, however, and there’s a world of difference. Pull up 20-30 YouTube clips; try streaming several bandwidth- and processor-intensive videos; run intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop with dozens of photos; boot capable games like Half-Life 2 or Flash-hungry titles like The Binding of Isaac…and the 2011 model’s fan will scream bloody Mary, the left side of the keyboard will heat up to around 100°F, and you’ll need headphones and a hard surface to keep going. The fan gets extremely loud and the keyboard gets way too hot. On the 2012 MBA the same thing can happen, but it rarely does.

That is to say, the overheating and loud fan hasn’t been fixed. This newer model is susceptible to both. With enough stress the left side of the unibody shell will overheat and become uncomfortable to type on, especially if you’re out in the sun. The fan can still stir up a hailstorm of noise. But thanks to the improved performance of Ivy Bridge, it’s nearly impossible to run enough everyday applications to stress the Air to that point. Except for intensive games like Half-Life 2, the 2012 MBA remained calm, cool, and pleasant to use. No matter how many browser tabs, office applications, or how much media you have running, the MacBook Air performs flawlessly.

Using the new Ivy Bridge chipset has another exceptional benefit from the higher performance: battery life is greatly improved. On the 2011 MBA battery life ranged from 4-7 hours, and usually closer to the lower side of that if running streaming video or stressful applications. That is boosted to 5.5-8 hours on the newer MBA, which is a remarkable upgrade for an identical 50-watt-hour battery. And because heat is rarely a problem, I averaged closer to seven hours of battery life per charge. (Protip: Use an extension like FlashBlock to disable Flash on any MacBook Air model for a big bump in battery life.)
The perfect ultrabook

In so many ways, the latest MacBook Air is a dream come true for anyone interested in upgrading to a thin, light, and still powerful laptop. Better performance, an improved display and keyboard, greatly improved battery life and thermals because of the performance boost…all for $100 less than last year’s model. Throw in USB 3.0 and the laptop is officially future-proof.

Products like the MacBook Air 13” (2012) make iterative updates like internal components so much more pertinent than evolutionary upgrades. The only downside? People who purchased last year’s model will want to upgrade because the performance boost makes all the difference in the world. If you barely stress the 2011 model now, then hold fast. But if you find that your MacBook Air screams like a banshee and has the average lifespan of a fruit fly, upgrading will be costly, but worthwhile.

Source: venturebeat.com

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MacBook Pro Retina Display In India model starts at Rs. 1,52,900

At the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Apple proved that post Steve Jobs, the brand still managed to have a trick up its sleeve. After announcing an upgrade to their MacBook Air and MacBook Pro line-up of notebooks, Apple wowed the world when they unveiled their next generation.

MacBook Pro with Retina Display. These notebooks had been available in stores in the U.S. from the date of the announcement and those looking to upgrade to this high-res notebook in India will be pleased to know that they have finally made their way on to shelves in India with the base version starting at Rs. 1,52,900.

The price may come as shocker to most. as the price of the base version in the U.S starts at $2,199, which would roughly translate to Rs. 1,22,732. The Indian price is a steep jump in comparison to the U.S pricing and though the MacBook Pro with Retina Display is flying off the shelves in the said country, it is difficult to ascertain at this point if this hot selling notebook would achieve a similar response in India. The pricing of the product in India is around Rs. 30,000 more than what it is selling at the U.S. The reason that Apple is pricing these notebooks in India such could be due to the decline in the Rupee, in comparison to the Dollar and this may be the main reason why it costs more than a lakh and a half.

For those who are in the dark regarding this notebook, this new Macbook Pro with Retina Display comes configured with a solid state drive. The notebook comes with USB 3.0 and is far thinner than its predecessors with the same screen size, with the casing measuring 0.71 inches thin. The Macbook Pro received an Ivy Bridge update, and the 2.7GHz Ive Bridge processors can be turbo boosted to 3.7 GHz. Furthermore, the device utilized NVIDIA GeForce GT 650m graphics. Coming to the main selling point of the device, the Retina Display, the screen resolution on the new Macbook Pro is 2880 x 1800 (or 220 ppi). Apple also promised at the keynote that this improved screen would have better viewing angles, reduced glare and better contrast ratios.

Other highlighted features of the new MacBook with Retina Display include 16GB of RAM, Nvidia Kepler GT 650M graphics, a quad-core 2.7GHz Core i7 processor, a maximum 768GB of storage (SSD, naturally), and a battery life that can be pushed up to seven hours and a standby time of 30 days. Apple has also added the thin MagSafe connector and a new fan. The Macbook Pro ships with OS X Lion, however, those who purchase the notebook now will be eligible for a free upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion when it becomes available.



Here is a Quick look at the highlighted specifications of the MacBook Pro with Retina Display:

• 15.4-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology; 2880 x 1800 resolution at 220ppi
• 2.3GHz or 2.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with 6MB shared L3 cache
• 8GB of 1600MHz DDR3L onboard memory
• 256GB or 512GB Flash Storage
• Intel HD Graphics 4000
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of GDDR5 memory and automatic graphics switching
• 720p FaceTime HD camera
• MagSafe 2 power port
• Two Thunderbolt ports (up to 10 Gbps)
• Two USB 3 ports (up to 5 Gbps)
• HDMI port
• Headphone port
• SDXC card slot
• Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (sold separately)
• Apple Thunderbolt to FireWire Adapter
• 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible
• Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
• Stereo speakers
• Dual microphones
• Headphone port

The new MacBook Pro with Retina Display is available in two configurations which are 2.3GHz and 2.6GHz. The 2.3GHz model is available for Rs. 1,52,900 and the 2.6GHz model is up for grabs with a price in India of Rs. 1,92,900.

Source: Tech2.in

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New MacBook Pro & Air Get Discount Offers On Best Buy

Best Buy offered amazing discounts on the new MacBooks, offering upto $140 off. The offer was on over the weekend. The discount offered on the Retina Pro MackBook with 8GB memory, 512 MB solid-state drive priced originally at $2,799.99 was $140 to $2,659.99.

While the price for the least expensive Retina Pro dropped to $2,089.99, with savings of $110. The new MacBook Air fell to $949.99 from the original $999.99.

The latest MacBooks offer Intel's new "Ivy Bridge" third generation i series processors with upgraded HD 4000 graphics silicon and USB 3.0 ports. The hottest addition to the MacBook Pro family is 2880 by 1800 pixel density Retina display and an Nvidia GeForce GT 650M graphics chip along with other new features.

Even though Apple has recently launched these new products and MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with the Retina display have been in the market only a few weeks, Best Buy has offered very lucrative prices on them. The discounted models are only available for in-store pickup. The discounts however are changed frequently by Best Buy and could vanish at any time.

With reported problems in image resistance in the new MacBook Pro with Retina display, where the outline of the image still remains on screen even after the program has been closed. "I first noticed this after my MBP [Retina] had gone to sleep, but: when returning to the login screen (since I have it set to require a password whenever the computer is idle long enough) I noticed what appeared to a very faint ghosting primarily noticeable on darker backgrounds," a user wrote on the Apple forums. The company's 14-day return policy could be helpful for some new MacBook Pro buyers, who can simply ship the machine back to Apple or bring it to any U. S. Apple Store for a complete refund. Also, the one-year limited warranty comes with 90 days of free phone technical support.

Source: Topnews.net

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Apple chose its new Kepler GPU for the MacBook refresh

With the rise of tablets and smartphones in the past few years, the landscape has changed quite a bit when it comes to traditional desktop computer manufacturers, especially those not named Apple Inc.

However, prospects for specific technology manufacturers such as Nvidia Corp. appear bright, in part because Apple has picked the graphics chip maker for its latest MacBook Pro refresh.

The company, a global leader in graphics processing units or GPUs, the microchips that allow computers and other devices to produce images on a screen, looks set to capitalize on strong demand in its Tegra mobile chip technology and new Kepler graphics products for desktop and PC.

Bobby Burleson, analyst with Canaccord Genuity, has upgraded Nvidia to a buy from hold while also raising his price target to US$16 from US$13 on both near and medium-term drivers.

Shares of Nvidia are down 2.7% to US$12.64 on the Nasdaq at midday on Monday.

“While most PC-weighted semis are likely to see number cuts near term based on weak notebook production ahead of the back-to-school period, we expect Nvidia to hit guidance,” Mr. Burleson said. “Nvidia appears positioned to offset near-term PC weakness through Tegra strength and Kepler revenues that were guided by limited 28nm wafer supply not PC demand.”

The new flagship Kepler line of GPUs for desktops and PCs, first launched earlier this year, scored a major coup when Apple chose the GeForce GT 650M to drive the Retina displays on its new MacBook Pros.

The last generation of MacBook Pros had used chips from Nvidia’s rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD).

As well, Mr. Burleson sees Nvidia’s guidance on the Kepler line as determined more by supply considerations than on consumer PC demand.

Meanwhile Tegra, a so-called “system-on-a-chip” technology designed specifically for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices, will benefit from it selection in products such as the HTC One X phone and upcoming Microsoft Corp. Surface tablet.

Mr. Burleson expects 2012 Tegra revenues to hit or even exceed US$500-million, up 39% from US$360-million in 2011. Management has guided US$540-million, although Street expectations have dipped below the US$500-million level completely.

“While Nvidia appears to have significant share on first-generation non-iPad tablets and numerous smartphone design wins, it is unclear which models will be successful,” he said.

Overall, Mr. Burleson forecasts second-quarter revenues of US$1.02-billion and full-year revenues of US$4.225-billion.

Source: Theprovince.com

Tags: Apple, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Nvidia, Nvidia Keplar

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Possibly Fake Copy of MacBook Pro specs show USB 3.0, Ivy Bridge, no Retina display

An image claiming to show specifications for an unreleased 13-inch MacBook Pro shows it equipped with an Ivy Bridge processor and USB 3.0 ports, but without a high-resolution Retina display.

The image, published on Tuesday by Macotakara, could easily have been faked. But the questionable image shows hardware specifications as they would usually appear on the box of an Apple notebook.

The image claims the computer will feature a 2.5 gigahertz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with 3 megabytes of L3 cache and Turbo Boost up to 3.1 gigahertz. It also features 4 gigabytes of 1600 megahertz DDR3 SDRAM, a 500 gigabyte 5400-rpm hard drive, and the new Intel HD Graphics 4000 found in the latest Ivy Bridge processors.

The purported specifications also show the MacBook Pro with a 13.3-inch LED backlit glossy widescreen display with a resolution of just 1,280 by 800 pixels. That resolution would not qualify as an Apple-branded Retina display, as the company is expected to debut new MacBook Pros with higher resolution screens at next week's Worldwide Developers Conference.

In addition to having a traditional spinning hard drive, the list of features also suggests the 13-inch MacBook Pro will have an 8x slot-loading SuperDrive for CDs and DVDs. Apple's next MacBook Pros are instead expected to be a significant redesign that will ditch the optical drive for a thinner design like the MacBook Air.

However, the alleged MacBook Pro update does feature two high-speed USB 3.0 ports, in addition to a Thunderbolt port, SDXC card slot, and FireWire 800 port.

The size and weight shown on the spec sheet has the MacBook Pro sized at 12.78 by 8.94 by 0.95 inches and 4.5 pounds. Those are identical to the current 13-inch MacBook Pro sold by Apple.

If legitimate, it's possible the specifications could show a low-end 13-inch MacBook Pro that Apple intends to release. That model could lack some of the features of the higher end models, like a thinner design and Retina display.

Source: Appleinsider

Tags: Apple, Ivy Bridge, Laptop, MacBook, MacBook Pro

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Ivy Bridge a ‘killer feature’ in Apple’s new MacBook Pros

Apple could be launching new MacBook Pros at its Worldwide Developers Conference in June, so we asked Mac users what they think the ‘killer feature’ of the new MacBooks will be when they are unveiled.

Of the 836 people that voted, 38.2 percent said that they were most excited about the Ivy Bridge processors making their way into new MacBooks.

Intel released its Ivy Bridge processors in April, and it is expected that Apple will be the first to manufacturer to launch an Ivy Bridge-equipped laptop. The Ivy Bridge processor family is the third generation in the company’s line of Core processors. The set of quad-core processors are made for desktops, all-in-ones, and high-end laptops.

Benchmarks for a new 2012 MacBook Pro have emerged on Geekbench, despite new models being unreleased. These benchmark results show a MacBook Pro with an Ivy Bridge Core i7-3820QM quad-core running at 2.7GHz.

Intel’s Vice President Kirk Skaugen revealed that the new processors are built for Retina displays.

Adding Retina displays to the MacBook Pro could cost Apple an extra £63, possibly increasing the price of the laptop. Some users think the killer feature of the new MacBook Pros would be an aggressive price, while others don’t expect Apple to reduce the price of the new models. However, an increase in price doesn’t seem to be deterring potential new MacBook Pro buyers.

One of our poll participants, Xhris2210, wrote that he believes Retina displays and/or Air-style cases are on the way in the new MacBook models.

MacBook Air-style cases for the MacBook Pro have been hot topic recently, with reports that the new generation of Pros will be thinner and radically redesigned. 28 per cent of our poll participants are hoping for a MacBook Air style case in the new launch.

The Air-like Pro could use solid-state drives rather than optical drives, and traditional hard disk drives will be scrapped altogether. This would enable the MacBook Pro to be much thinner than before, but also reducing the number of moving parts – the result of which should be a much more durable MacBook that is less likely to break.

6.5 percent of our participants said that the lack of optical drives could be the killer feature should Apple decide to scrap them.

Poll participant Mark Hattersley wrote: “I imagine the speed boost from having integrated Flash storage and a much lighter case (if it goes down the Air route) will both be huge benefits.”

Other rumours, however, have gone against the Air-like speculation, claiming that the next MacBook Pros could gain a bigger but longer lasting battery. The MacBook Pro may still lose its optical drive, making space for two 2.5in SSD drives.

10.3 percent of the poll’s participants said that they are hoping for a better battery in the next generation of MacBook Pros.

We’ve also heard speculation that Apple could use Liquidmetal in the new MacBooks, an addition that 9.4 percent of Mac users say would be their favourite new feature.

The benefit of using Liquidmetal over aluminium would be damage resistance. Liquidmetal will acquire less bumps and scratches than aluminium does. This, along with its lightweight qualities, would mean added portability to the device.

However, one of the inventors of the Liquidmetal alloy, Atakan Peker, has recently said that Apple is ‘unlikely’ to use the alloy in its next MacBook range, but he does expect the company to use the technology in a ‘breakthrough product’.

2.9 percent of our poll’s participants voted that a new Thunderbolt connector would be the best feature in the next-generation of MacBook Pros. Intel is reportedly working on the next generation of Thunderbolt controllers, which could appear in new Apple devices.

The final 4.8 percent of voters in our poll chose ‘other’, indicating that they are hoping for a new feature that we hadn’t listed.

One of these ‘other’ features would be “to confound the rumours and still have a 17in MacBook Pro,” said participant Jaded. Apple is rumoured to be dropping the 17in MacBook upon the arrival of the new models. “It will become impossible to do high-end video and imaging work on the road if the 17in goes,” said Jaded.

What is on your wish list as top killer features that Apple might include in its new-model MacBooks? Share your suggestions with us in the comments section below.

Source: Macworld

Tags: Apple, Ivy Bridge, MacBook Pro, MacBook, Laptop

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Apple MacBook Pro to Feature Both Ivy Bridge & Nvidia Chips

A few days ago, MacBook Pro rumor-hunters got a breakthrough when several details of the new MacBook Pro (or MacBook Pro 2012) were leaked, including Retina Display, Intel Ivy Bridge chipset, USB 3.0 and a thinner design due to the lack of a CD/DVD drive.

Now most of these leaked specs you may have known about for the past few weeks, but nonetheless it was nice to see all these specs listed in one article.

Now we’ve got more information on the laptop everybody seems to be talking about these days. Apparently, the new MacBook Pro will run on both Ivy Bridge and Nvidia chips. Intel, of course, will be behind the processor of the next-gen MacBook Pro, while Nvidia will take care of the graphics. Ivy Bridge is, in fact, an unusual turn for Apple, which has previously relied on AMD processors for under-the-hood power.

As for Nvidia, their GeForce GT650M graphics card should fuel the new MacBook Pro’s graphics, and we’re guessing it’s going to be a good deal better than the previous GT640M. As we mentioned above, the previous batch of MacBook Pro rumors pointed towards Retina Display. Retina Display, of course, will make images on the new MacBook Pro even more awe-inspiring to look at.

As the new laptop will run on OS X Mountain Lion, users can manipulate display size and quality without having to scratch their heads. Apparently, users simply have to choose from “big”, “small” or “optimal” instead of twiddling dials or struggling to find the right resolution size or quality.

We’re expecting the new MacBook Pro to be unveiled at WWDC 2012, to be held on June 11, so let’s hope the rumors keep coming. Be sure, though, to take ‘em all with a grain of salt until we hear it from Apple themselves.

Source: Easternmorningherald

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Ivy Bridge MacBooks, iMacs may soon reach consumers in june

The new 2012 Ivy Bridge Macs might be coming soon to a store near you, according to a couple of recent hints. Details revealed yesterday by benchmarking site Geekbench point to a MacBookPro9,1. Powered by Intel's Ivy Bridge chip Core i7-3820QM quad-core running at 2.7Ghz, the name and number would seem to indicate the successor to Apple's current 13-inch pro laptop.

However, MacRumors believes that since the i7-3820QM processor runs at 45 watts, it's more likely to surface in the beefier 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro units. Another Geekbench benchmark page appears to tip off an upcoming new iMac. With the name and number iMac13,2, the new model would appear to indicate a 27-inch iMac. Powering the new iMac is Intel's Ivy Bridge Core i7-3770 quad-core chip clocking in at 3.4Ghz.

How do we know this information is legit? These types of benchmarks have appeared in Geekbench's database in the past before the new machines actually hit the market. MacRumors considers it feasible that the results are for actual Macs slated to launch sometime soon. Geekbench has been on the money with such predictions in the past, says CultofMac, which noted that the benchmark site revealed specs on the 2010 MacBook Pro two months before its debut.

Price drops from Best Buy may be another sign that new Macs are on the way. The retailer has trimmed prices on the entire Mac lineup, including MacBook Pros, MacBook Airs, iMacs, Mac Pros, and Mac Minis. The price cuts range anywhere from just $30 for a Mac Mini to $200 for a Mac Pro. But any efforts to trim prices across the board is usually a sign that retailers are trying to clear out current inventory in anticipation of new products in the pipeline.

Still more writing on the Mac wall comes courtesy of 9to5Mac. Referring to "trusted sources in Apple's supply chain," the site says that Apple is prepping a new 15-inch MacBook Pro with an ultra-thin design, high-resolution Retina Display, and USB 3.0 ports. Recent reports floated the idea of a Mac hybrid, a model that would combine the power of the MacBook Pro and the light and thin design of the MacBook Air

But 9to5Mac's sources discount those reports, claiming instead that the new 15-incher would stick with the current design of the MacBook Pro and add the ultra-thin body. But it's the Retina Display that seems to be hogging the spotlight on the rumored new Mac.

Taking a page from the new iPad, the display on the new Mac was described by the sources as "jaw-dropping" and "definitely the most important Mac innovation in years." No launch date has been revealed or confirmed for the new Mac models. But some sources expect the latest lineup to debut around June.

Source: Cnet

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Intel Ivy Bridge iMac and MacBook Pro revealed in benchmarks

As we edge ever closer to June, more and more signs keep cropping up that Apple is poised to refresh its line of iMacs and Macbook Pros with Intel’s new Ivy Bridge chips. The latest tip comes from benchmarks posted to GeekBench with new iMac and Macbook Pro models featuring the new platform, providing detailed scores compared to old models, plus an idea of what processors we can expect to see.

The first entry on GeekBench is for the iMac13,2, which Cult of Mac believes corresponds to a 27-inch model featuring a quad-core Intel i7-3770 clocked at 3.4Ghz. The new iMac received a score of 12,182, coming in slightly higher than current Sandy Bridge models which score around 11,500. GeekBench also holds benchmarks for a new 13-inch MacBook Pro running an internal version of Mountain Lion and an Intel i7-3820QM running at 2.7Ghz. Benchmarks of Ivy Bridge chips have showed a 10-15% increase over Sandy Bridge chips, although Intel’s integrated graphics have also seen a big boost.

The HD 4000 shows a 20 to 100% improvement over the HD 3000 found in the Macbook Air and Macbook Pros depending on the scenario. Rumors have indicated that the upcoming 15-inch MacBook Pro would receive an Air-esque variant, dropping the optical drive and slimming down the chassis. High resolution icons found in Lion and Mountain Lion have also pointed towards high-resolution displays for the Macbook Pros. Stock levels for the current 15-inch MacBook Pro are also low, a tell-tale sign that a refresh is on the horizon. Source: Slashgear

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Apple Readies OS X for Retina Display MacBooks

Apple has been preparing its operating systems for high resolution Macs, adding evidence to the rumor that the next generation line-up of MacBooks will have Retina displays.

The OS X 10.7.4 update recently released by Apple was hiding some changes that may seem minor at first glance, but could indicate that Apple is about to launch something major.

Apple Insider reports that Apple's built-in TextEdit application's icon's highest quality version has been increased to 1024-by-1024 pixels, double that of the previous 512-by-512 pixels in the icon before the update. The increase in pixels readies the icon for a Retina display.

The file size of the icon also grew from 209 kilobytes in OS X 10.7.3 to 1.7 megabytes in 10.7.4, reveals the report.

This could this mean that Apple's new MacBook line-up, which is expected to arrive within weeks, will feature Retina displays like the one found on the new iPad, which has 3.1 million pixels, a million more than a HDTV.

Apple describes a Retina display as having pixels that are "so close together, your eyes can't discern individual ones at a normal viewing distance."

When Apple launched the beta of OS X 10.7 Lion, the App Store icon and the Launchpad icon were increased to 1024-by-1024 pixels, and in February, some cursers were improved to a higher resolution.

In April, Intel revealed that its new Ivy Bridge processers have been built for Retina display, which also indicates that Apple will launch Retina display MacBooks, as the company is expected to be the first to use the new chips in its products. The Ivy Bridge processor could power 2560-by-1600 displays, which is an impressive four times the amount of pixels currently found in the 13-inch MacBook Pro's display.

When testing OS X Mountain Lion, which is predicted to launch in June at Apple's WWDC in San Francisco, developers have also found double-resolution icons.

Source: Pcworld

Tags: Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro, MacBook Air

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HP launches ultra-thin notebooks and ultrabooks like Apple’s MacBook Pro

HP has launches Envy ultra-thin notebooks and Ultrabooks like Cupertino based Apple’s MacBook Pro

Leading computer maker Hewlett-Packard has announced a line of revamped laptops for the summer. The new HP computers include a few HP Envy models and a business friendly Ultrabook. HP is one of the prominent tech makers that develop advanced laptops and Ultrabooks with ultra-thin body and high performance processors. Of course, the just launched Intel’s third generation Ivy Bridge processors and the upcoming Windows 8 will be the major highlights of the new HP laptops and Ultrabooks. Here are some new HP portable computers.

HP Envy Ultrabook – 14-inch and 15.6-inch
HP is set to expand its Ultrabook line with two affordable models. The 14-inch HP Envy Ultrabook will start with $750 and the 15.6-inch Envy Ultrabook will start with $800 price mark. The machines may respectively be named HP Envy 4 and Envy 6. There have been reports about these products since April. As per the available details, the new Envy Ultrabooks will offer long battery life, i.e. up to 8 to 9 hours. The machines will show off great sound clarity thanks Dr Dre’s Beats Audio and better storage with the fast mSATA SSDs. Further details of the Envy Ultrabooks are not yet availed by HP. Possibly they may go for sales on May 9.

HP Envy Sleekbook
Not enough Envy laptops to choose from? You’ll also find a new thin laptop that HP has dubbed the Sleekbook. With a thickness of 0.8 inch and a weight of less than 4 pounds, this laptop could easily qualify as another Envy Ultrabook. But the Sleekbook does have a unique configuration of options and features, including optional discrete AMD graphics and a choice of black or red for the slip-resistant base. According to HP, the Sleekbook starts at $600 for the 15.6-inch model (available on June 20) and $700 for the 14-incher (available on May 9). The counterintuitive difference in prices reflects the fact that the laptop with the larger screen is configured with an AMD processor, while the one with the smaller screen has an Intel CPU.

HP EliteBook Folio 9470m: Business Ultrabook
HP is to launch yet another business Ultrabook. The new machine called the HP EliteBook Folio 9470m is a rich business-class notebook. It is larger than the company’s existing business Ultrabook, the Folio 13. The Folio 9470m is to come with a 14-inch display. However, it has only a thickness of 0.75-inch and weight of 3.5 pounds. The business friendly features of the Ultrabooks include VGA, Ethernet, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) data protection technology and an optional secondary six-cell slice battery. As per reports, HP will likely launch the HP EliteBook Folio 9470m in October this year. Price details of the Ultrabook are not available.

HP Envy Spectre XT
The Envy Spectre XT is a new addition to HP’s Spectre family. The new laptop is described as an ultra-stylish version of the series, which looks pretty sleek with its glass top. According to HP, the new XT notebook will come with an all-metal chassis, a thin bezel and a large display within its smaller 13.3-inch footprint. HP Envy Spectre XT features 0.57-inch thin body and it weighs at 3.07 pounds. The notebook will come with Intel Ivy Bridge, a backlit keypad, 128GB SSD and a powerful battery that can provide 7 hours life. The starting price for the Envy Spectre XT will be $1000 and it will be available in stores on June 3.

HP Envy Sleekbook
Envy Sleekbook is yet another brilliant member to the company’s sleek and powerful notebooks. The Envy Sleekbook, with a 0.8-inch body and 4-pound weight, is almost like HP’s Envy Ultrabook. But the machine will be different from the rest with a unique configuration of options and features. For example, it will get an optional discrete AMD GPU for increased graphical performance. The Sleekbook will have two models; the 15.6-inch and 14-inch. The first one will start at $600, whereas the latter one will have a starting price of $700. The expected release dates for the devices are respectively June 20 and May 9. The larger version of the Sleekbook is to sport an AMD processor, while the 14-inch version will have an Intel CPU.

Source: novnews

Tags: HP, Ultrabook, Laptop, MacBook

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2012 Macbook Air may battle Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks with price cut

Apple may not be talking about concerns over competition between their 13-inch Macbook Air and 2012 Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks, but that doesn't mean they are ignoring the threat either. In fact, Apple is taking it so seriously, there is already speculation that the next generation of Macbook Air's will emerge with a price cut.

"Apple's plans are reportedly to counter second-generation Ultrabooks, based on Intel's specifications for thin and light notebooks, which PC makers hope to price around $699," according to Apple Insider.

"If PC makers are unable to reach the $699 price point with their second-generation Ultrabooks, Apple could have a significant competitive advantage with an aggressive $799 price point for a new MacBook Air."

So, could Apple really be ready to think the unthinkable and cut the price of the next generation Macbook Air?

Ultrabooks have come a long way since their introduction behind the 2008 Macbook Air, and Ivy Bridge Ultrabooks could still pose a threat to the 2012 Macbook Air, even with a price cut.
There is a lot at stake for Intel this year. Their branding for the Ultrabook could shape the future of PC's as true performers, or give Apple yet another success story, proving they know how to eat the competition.

2012 is being touted as the Year of the Ultrabook. That means that in the world of laptops, Ultrabooks will either emerge as viable competitors, or Apple will corner the 13-inch laptop market and leave the 2012 Ultrabooks in the dust.

Portable computing has also become a battle of operating systems, with Apple boasting less susceptibility to internet viruses than PC's. But there is yet another factor working in Apple's favor. With the growing number of iPhones and iPads on the planet, compatibly could push some potential Ultrabook buyers toward the Macbook Air. Apple products would much rather 'talk' to other Apple products, thus making syncing between devices even more convenient.

Apple seems to be banking on their new strategy with their 13-inch line. In addition to rumors of a price cut for the next generation of Macbook Air's, orders for the 13-inch 2012 Macbook Pro are far exceeding 15-inch models, according to Digitimes, which suggest that Apple may be getting ready for a big push of their best-selling,13-inch Macbook Pro line as well.

If you follow the supply chain and production lines with Apple, it is easy to see their vision for the future, although tracking is not really required. Apple has made no secret of the fact that they want consumers to think of only one name when it comes to technology, and that name is Apple.

Source: Allvoices

Tags: Apple, MacBook, MacBook Air, Ultrabook, Laptop

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Apple MacBook Pro 2012 to come with a large battery and SSD drive

The rumor that Apple may cut down the size of MacBook Pro 2012 to the size of MacBook Air seems a wishful thinking. Apple is not going to do it. Apple evidently works to add a more gigantic battery, an SSD boot drive and HD drive to the new MacBook Pro so as to increase its usability. There was a talk that the gap between MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will be blurred with the new version of MacBook Pro. The case seems to be different and Apple is working to launch the Pros with the same size and features of its predecessor.

Apple doesn’t fit in disk inside its flagship notebook, the MacBook Airs. The recent report says that MacBook Pro will certainly have an HD drive along a SSD boot drive. That means the device may not become smaller in size and weight. The laptop will not sport a DVD drive, certainly. “What do you think of such a possibility? With all that extra battery, the MacBook Pro could potentially have a much more densely-packed set of pixels in its display or could of course allow for days of battery time without worry,” asks SlashGear’s Chris Burns.

MacBook Pro 2012 and other rumors
The new version of MacBook Pro is expected to come out of cover in a couple of months. The tech world is keenly waiting for the newest version of Apple’s laptop computer. Here we make a look into the major features that are expected to enrich the MacBook Pro upgrade apart from the SSD drive thing.

To discontinue 17-Inch MacBook Pro: It is a prominent MacBook Pro rumor of the day. Some rumors have gone on to state that Apple may cut off the large 17-inch version of MacBook Pro with the 2012 upgrade. Research analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has broken up the rumor that Apple would drop the 17-inch MacBook Pro from its lineup due to feeble sales. Indeed, Ming-Chi Kuo is an analyst known for making many accurate Apple rumors. “Apple is likely to stop making the 17”-inch MacBook Pro this year due to falling shipments, in order to maintain a lean product line strategy,” the analyst says.

To mount Ivy Bridge: It is indeed a sensible rumor. Intel has so far launched its third generation Ivy Bridge processors. The successor to the current Sandy Bridge processors will certainly appear in the device. Possibly, MacBook Pro may be the first device to get the Ivy Bridge processors.

To run on Mountain Lion: The upcoming version of OS X, the 10.8 Mountain Lion may likely run on the new MacBook Pro. The Mountain Lion is known for its integration of more iOS features with Mac OS and Apple TV’s interaction function and much more. “Apple’s Mac business in 2Q12 will be boosted by several factors. Three of which are: (1) Mountain Lion, which integrates iOS features with Mac OS, Apple TV’s interaction function, will be launched in June; (2) upgrading to Ivy Bridge; and (3) back-to-school demand,” Ming-Chi Kuo in his MacBook Pro rumors.

Thinner and smaller: A report says that the redesigned models of MacBook Pros will include 13-inch and 15-inch models. Also, the machine will be far slighter and thinner. Apple has been evidently working to make its MacBook Pros smaller and more user friendly product. The upgraded 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros in April and it may get initial shipments estimated to hit 900,000 units.

Estimated sales: According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple will sell out 5.32 million units of the MacBook Pros series in 2012. The company can ship more models of the laptops with its more advanced features.

Conclusion
Let us wait for the new MacBook Pro at the upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference. Many Apple fans and analysts now think that Apple may release the laptop at its developer conference. Since the new Mountain Lion is not ready for release, Apple may have to delay the release date of its MacBook Pro.

Sourec: Novnews

Tags: Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro, Ivy Bridge

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MacBook Pro 2012 amps up with SSD and battery

While the common rumor thus far for the new MacBook Pro 2012 models has been that they’ll cut down the size to MacBook Air levels, a new tip today says that’s simply not the case. What we’ve got here instead is a new case with no optical drive and the space that was used up by the optical drive being used for a much more gigantic battery and an SSD boot drive to take down costs for the unit substantially – that SSD being just for the OS. This notion was accompanied by the illustration you see below.

What you’re seeing here is an illustration, not an actual real set of images of the casing of the MacBook Pro 2012. The top image is indeed real, the bottom is an illustration of what would happen if Apple went the way we’re speaking about here. It’s not unlikely that this will be the way of the truth in the very near future – Apple has presented a non-disk future in its MacBook Air models for several generations now, and with the Mac App Store live and in action for software, we’ll see the MacBook Pro 2012 models hitting stores with no room for a DVD without a doubt.

What do you think of such a possibility? With all that extra battery, the MacBook Pro could potentially have a much more densely-packed set of pixels in its display or could of course allow for days of battery time without worry. With 30% more battery capacity, there’s no knowing what you could do with the power. The SSD Boot Drive is just as likely – why not do such a thing with that space? Expect both of these additions this summer.

Source : Slashgear

Tags: Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro, Laptop

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MacBook Pro 2012 rumors suggest WWDC 2012 launch a done thing

Apple’s MacBook Pro 2012 rumors suggest that its launch during the forthcoming WWDC 2012 launch is a done thing now

World Wide Developers Conference is set to be held early June. Apple was able to sell the event in merely two hours. At a time when many tech giants struggle to sell their events the demand for Apple events seems to be going up and up.

There are rumors indicating that Apple is going to introduce several products during the WWDC 2012. Some reports have suggested that Apple may introduce its much awaited iPhone 5 during the event in June. Other reports indicate that Apple will introduce its forthcoming MacBook Pro 2012 during the high profile event. Besides, Apple OS X Mountain Lion will certainly see the light of the day during the event.

Meanwhile there are numerous reports about the forthcoming products launch during World Wide Developers Conference 2012. These reports suggest significant improvement in Macbook Pro 2012 version. A report in DigiTimes says that that Apple may be readying an ultra high-resolution MacBook Pro for as early as second quarter (Q2) 2012. Apple is likely to launch its new MacBook Pro lineup with a display resolution of 2880 by 1800, setting a new round of competition for panel specifications in the notebook industry, according to sources in the upstream supply chain. So the reports almost confirm that Apple MacBook Pro 2012 will come with retina display that will make it all the more enticing for its fans.

Digitmes report needs to be accepted as it has to its credit several rumors that have been proved true in the past. Meanwhile another report suggests that the MacBook Pro that will come with retina display will be a 15″ model which currently carries a native resolution of 1440×900 pixels. By doubling the resolution in each dimension, Apple would achieve four times the number of pixels and provide developers an easy way to scale existing artwork. For Apple fans this must be a great news and would indicate better sale prospects for the company in the days to come

MacBook Pro was expected to be introduced in the market in late 2011, but the wait continues even now and may end only in June. But the delay was caused due to the delay in arrival of Intel’s Ivy Bridge platform. Meanwhile there is another report that suggests that Apple may unify Macbook Pro and MacBook Air. A report says, “…shift will likely see a unification of Apple’s notebook lines under the MacBook Air design aesthetic, covering the full range of 11-inch to 17-inch sizes”. But to be true, there is no basis to really believe this news as of now.

Tags: Ivy Bridge, Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro

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New MacBook Pro to be built with Liquidmetal: Pro and Air to be combined

There are several interesting reports that suggest that the new MacBook Pro 2012 will be built with Liquidmetal. Reports also suggest that Macbook Pro and MacBook Air may be combined

MacBook Pro 2012 seems to be very close. Its release date hasn’t been made clear by Cupertino based technology major Apple, nonetheless there is every reason to believe that its launch is not very far off.

There are rumors that suggest that Apple is planning to combine MacBook Air with the increased power of MacBook Pro. This will bring out a revolutionary product that will be portable, but will come with increased power.

Now there are several other interesting rumors that when combined, bring out the whole truth. A report while detailing the new material with which the forthcoming MacBooks will probably be manufactured with says that lightweight Liquidmetal is more solid, though it is lighter and scratch-resistant than the existing aluminum unibody.

Meanwhile a report while detailing as to what Liquidmetal is says, “Liquidmetal’s revolutionary class of patented alloys form the basis of high performance materials utilized in a broad range of military, medical, luxury, consumer, industrial, and sporting goods products. By working with Liquidmetal, the design of your product will be of the most innovative design and possess superior performance. Our amorphous metal alloys will enhance your product design while redefining the strength paradigm simultaneously”.

The Cupertino based tech giant Apple is reported to have an exclusive agreement with Liquidmetal Technologies to use the material since 2010. But so far its usage has remained negligible and the only thing Apple has produced with this material is a SIM ejection tool. As per rumors, the rear panel of the upcoming iPhone 5 is to be solidified with the Liquidmetal. In the meantime another report in a leading Apple blog suggests that the forthcoming MacBook Pro will come loaded with Intel’s third generation Ivy Bridge chips and USB 3.0 ports. The first thing is almost predictable and it is expected that MacBook Pro will be the first device to hit stores with the Ivy Bridge microprocessor, which Intel has officially announced a few days back. But we need to wait a bit more to allow things to become clearer regarding speculations about Lequidmetal.

Tags: Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro

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Intel releases Ivy Bridge: New Mac models coming soon?

Intel on Monday unveiled the Ivy Bridge processor family, the third generation in the company’s line of Core processors.

The set of quad-core processors released Monday are made for desktops, all-in-ones, and high-end laptops. Intel has eight Core i7 processor models: two for the desktop, two designated as Desktop Low-Power, and four mobile models. Intel also has five Core i5 processor models: three for the desktop, and two designated as Desktop Low-Power. Intel also has a new Core i7 Extreme Edition processor, which is a mobile processor.

The Ivy Bridge processors are the first processors that are created using Intel’s 22 nanometer (nm) process technology, which means that the processors are smaller than the previous 32 nm processors, called Sandy Bridge. The smaller design will contribute to a speed improvement, but it may not be a dramatic one.

According to Intel, the dramatic improvement, as a result of the 22 nm process, will be with power consumption. Ivy Bridge is much more efficient than Sandy Bridge; at the Intel Developers Forum last September, Intel said that Ivy Bridge supports DDR3L, the low voltage (1.35v) DDR3 standard, as well as configurable TDP (thermal design power), DDR I/O power gating, and power-aware interrupt pairing.

Another major change is with the built-in graphics-processing unit (GPU). Previous Core processors had built-in GPUs, so the fact that Ivy Bridge has a GPU isn’t new. But the built-in GPU isn’t usually considered a GPU that’s ideal for games or graphically demanding work. Macworld Lab’s experience is that the Sandy Bridge GPU (the Intel Graphics 3000) is enough to meet the minimum requirements of some games and graphics apps, and not enough for the most demanding of software.

Intel in its Ivy Bridge press release says that the Ivy Bridge built-in GPU, the Intel Graphics 4000, is capable of “two times better 3-D graphics performance” than the Graphics 3000.

New Macs coming soon?

The release of Ivy Bridge brings hope to Mac users yearning for Mac hardware news. The ideal candidate for the Ivy Bridge processor is the iMac; the current iMac model was released last May—almost a year ago. Because of the iMac’s all-in-one design, we could see new iMacs with Ivy Bridge’s Desktop Low Power processors. It’s possible that the Core i7 Extreme Edition processor could be featured as a build-to-order (BTO) option for the top-of-the-line 27-inch iMac.

It’ll be interesting to see what Apple decides to do with the graphics processor in the iMac. The current iMac uses discrete GPUs, but older iMac models have used integrated graphics in the most-affordable 21.5-inch models—for example, the $1199 21.5-inch 2009 iMac had an integrated Nvidia GeForce 9400M GPU. If Apple decided to rely on the Ivy Bridge’s Intel Graphics 4000 for some iMac models, it’s an indication that the company feels that it can provide at least the minimum performance needed for some games and graphics apps.

The Mac mini, which was updated last July, will probably see an upgrade after the release of an Ivy Bridge iMac.

What about new laptops? If the MacBook Pro is considered a high-end laptop, then it’s easy to conclude that the mobile versions of the Ivy Bridge processors released Monday could make their way into the new MacBook Pro. However, rumors of a 15-inch MacBook Air and a revamp of Apple’s laptop lineup persist. If Apple does have plans for such a laptop, it may not use any of the just-released Ivy Bridge processors. Intel plans to release the Ivy Bridge processors for ultrabooks “later this year,” according to Intel’s Ivy Bridge press release, through some reports say as early as June. The ultraportable model of the Ivy Bridge processor seem like the kind that would be used by the MacBook Air.

And finally, there’s the poor, neglected Mac Pro. In recent history, the Mac Pro has used Xeon processors, and Intel released new Xeon processors in March. But there are no signs from Apple that new Mac Pros are imminent, even though there seems to be user demand. Macworld Lab found that a 27-inch 3.4GHz Core i7 iMac with an SSD is faster than a BTO 3.33GHz Xeon Westmere six-core Mac Pro, and if a new Ivy Bridge iMac is released before a new Mac Pro, the performance gap between the iMac and the Mac Pro will only widen. Perhaps that’s Apple's plan all along.

Source: Macworld

Tags: Apple, MacBook, Mac Pro, Ivy Bridge

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MacBook Pros could go all-quad-core with first-wave Ivy Bridge processors

The six quad-core mobile processors that debuted Monday as part of Intel's first wave of Ivy Bridge parts could be enough to outfit Apple with processors for a complete MacBook Pro revamp, assuming Cupertino is ready to go quad-core for all its "pro" notebooks.

On Monday (as rumored) Intel launched a range of quad-core Ivy Bridge processors, built on its latest 22nm, 3D "tri-gate" transistor process. A product roadmap leak in late March suggested that some of those chips would launch in late April, while the rest would be delayed until early June. Among the leaked parts slated for April were 45W TDP quad-core parts that would make a good fit for Apple's higher-end 15" and 17" MacBook Pros. Dual-core parts that used less power (35W TDP) suitable for low-end models and the 13" MacBook Pro would have to wait.

However, Intel announced an OEM-only quad-core mobile processor, the Core i7-3612QM, which shaves a few megahertz off the maximum GPU and CPU frequencies to max out at 35W TDP. If Apple were willing to offer its MacBook Pros with quad-core only parts, it could do so with the processors Intel is already announcing.

We speculated last month that Apple could choose a staggered launch for Ivy Bridge-powered MacBook Pros, launching 15" and 17" models in late April or early May, and a revamped 13" model in June. This strategy isn't in keeping with Apple's style, however, which typically results in every model in a product line being updated at the same time. An all-quad-core strategy would fit that pattern, allowing new models in all sizes to launch at the same time.

Furthermore, Apple could use the quad-core/dual-core distinction to position the MacBook Pro for maximum performance, while its MacBook Air would still appeal to those willing to trade some performance for ultimate portability.

Rumors have suggested Apple may adopt thinner, more "MacBook Air-like" designs for the next MacBook Pro refresh, with one analyst even going so far as to suggest that Apple will kill its 17" MacBook Pro model altogether. We see little reason for Apple to adopt such a radical strategy, though. We think it's more likely that Apple would instead stick with something similar to what it currently has, perhaps ditching the optical drive for more battery capacity or expanded storage options. Add in the increased performance of quad-core CPUs across the board and Intel's HD4000 integrated graphics (particularly for the 13" MacBook Pro), and Apple will still have a formidable entry in the notebook market.

If Apple chooses to offer MacBook Pros with dual-core parts, however, we expect the company to wait until June to launch an entire series of MacBook Pro models. And if the company does have a more radical redesign in the wings, such designs might not work with the 45W parts currently on tap.

Regardless of the update strategy Apple chooses for the MacBook Pro, don't expect new MacBook Airs for at least another month. The ultra-low voltage Ivy Bridge processors necessary for the MacBook Air won't be available until June, either.

Source: Arstechnica

Tags: Apple, Ivy Bridge, MacBook, Laptop

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MacBook Pro 2012 Release: From May Or June Release Rumors To Top Speculated Features

Apple always manages successfully to create suspense and anticipation among fans. This time too, the Cupertino tech giant has generated enough rumors around all its devices, which can possibly be released by the end of this year. The probable device list includes some heavyweights like the next generation iPhone (popularly known as the iPhone 5), iOS 6, iTunes 11 and so on. The latest additions to the list are MacBook Pro laptops.

There are speculations that the MacBook Pro 2012 release date could be very close and Apple is expected to give a complete makeover to its latest portable computer. The current version of the MacBook Pro hit stores in October 2011 and features Sandy Bridge chips and Thunderbolt port.

Rumors about the features of the new line of MacBook Pros are already flying high in the market. But we have received information only in bits and pieces till date. Here is a comprehensive list of highly expected features of the latest Apple device.

Speculated Features For MacBook Pro 2012

Slim but not so light Pro: The 15-inch Pro (the 13-inch and 17-inch models will launch following the 15-inch before the year is up) will be lighter than its previous models but not as light as MacBook Air, rumors suggest. But it is also expected to feature "super-slim wedge profile" similar to the MacBook Air. Exact measurement, however, has not been revealed but you can expect a super slim and light MacBook Pro.

Intel Ivy Bridge processor: Walt Mossberg, one of the most famous Apple insiders from the Wall Street Journal and an old friend of the late Steve Jobs, reported that Intel, whose processors are used by most Windows PC makers and Apple, is launching its new family of chips, the Ivy Bridge, which "the chip maker claims will offer much faster graphics performance without sacrificing battery life."

This new breed of Intel chips will be available in the market on April 23 and April 29, reports CNET.

The 15-inch version of the Pro will get Intel's Core i5 and Core i7 Ivy Bridge chipset, while the medium version currently features only Core i7 chips, say sources. The machines could also feature 2.7GHz Intel Core i7-3820QM with Intel HD 4000 graphics boosting the graphics power and multimedia processing by about 65 percent over previous Intel chips. The devices can have Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.7GHz indicate reports.

"Apple has also reportedly been considering using integrated graphics only in some of its mid-range MacBook Pro models, with the HD 4000 chip making it feasible for the company to drop the dedicated graphics chip on some of those models while still being able to offer acceptable graphics performance," says MacRumors' Eric Slivka.

Moreover, Ivy Bridge is also the first chip developed by Intel to employ 3D transistors and will support the newest USB version 3.0.

New Thunderbolt Connector: VR-Zone has recently reported that Intel has shipped its second-gen Thunderbolt controllers, codenamed "Cactus Ridge," and Apple lovers can expect to see the new Thunderbolt to be released alongside the new MacBook Pro line-up.

According to the VR-Zone report, Intel is going to offer different controllers: the 12x12mm DSL3310 and DSL3510.

While DSL3310 offers two lanes worth of PCI Express bandwidth and draws 2.1W, DSL3510 offers four PCI Express lanes, draws 2.8W.

The Thunderbolt, introduced just over a year ago, was co-developed by Apple and Intel. It is a high-speed connector technology that transfers data among computers and with peripherals. This technology can be considered a faster alternative to USB 3.0, with transfer speeds of up to 10Gbps.

Retina Display: After Apple's "resolutionary" New iPad, iPhone 5 or MacBook Pro, all are expected to sport the same Retina display with the revolutionary 2048 x 1536 screen resolution with 3.1 million pixel color support.

A Retina Display is one of the most probable features in Mac computers and Mac's OS Mountain Lion already drops a few clues through its use of HiDPI Retina images.

The new MacBook Pro is also expected to get Retina Display with better anti-glare protection, but to enhance the display quality Apple has to compromise the ultra-thin and light qualities of the device.

A laptop with a Retina Display requires a bigger battery to run the display, which would make the case thicker and larger than the MacBook Air.

DigiTimes reported that "While the prevailing MacBook models have displays with resolutions ranging from 1680 x 1050 to 1280 x 800, the ultra-high resolution for the new MacBook Pro will further differentiate Apple's products from other brands."

While this report confirms Apple's move to HiDPI, other few sources have mentioned that Apple is very much into increasing the screen resolution of the Pro but Retina display may not be on cards.

Full-surface Trackpad: One of the "highly likely" features of the MacBook Pro 2012 is its full-surface trackpad. Apple already has won patents for full-surface trackpad, including "accidental touching" by the finger and the ability to distinguish between a palm and a finger.

Surround Sound System: Patently Apple has reported that Apple is working on a surround sound system for MacBook-like devices. The sound system will contain an audio transducer, including a magnetic coil, and a magnet in communication with the coil and will provide a near full range response frequency resulting in both low- and mid-range frequencies.

A Complete Overhaul Planned for MacBook Pro: Why Is It Needed?

Apple launched the MacBook Pro line in January 2006. Since then, the Cupertino-based company has never brought any major overhaul to the product. It was only four years ago that the company did design touchup for the MacBook Pro.

Therefore, some major changes in the design and functionality were due for the Pro. Some news sources had also reported that Apple was trying to bridge the gap between its MacBook Pros and lightweight MacBook Airs to a significant level with the new upgrade.

Possible Release Date

While there are some reasons why Apple could release a new lineup of MacBook Pro laptops as early as May, many believe that the laptops will be launched in June at the Worldwide Developer's Conference in San Francisco.

According to reports obtained by 9to5Mac, the next generation Intel chips will launch on April 23 and the new refurbished MacBook Pro line will be unveiled soon after. Several authorized resellers, including Best Buy's online store, are also reporting that the 15-inch MacBook Pro is out of stock, which indicates that the company might process the release of the Pro as fast as possible.

Meanwhile,The Economic Daily Times of China has reported that the new MacBook Pro is currently under production at Foxconn and Quanta Computer and will be shipped in June.

Source: Ibtimes

Tags: Apple, MacBook, Ivy Bridge, Laptop

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