The next-gen MacBook Pro with Retina Display Review
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 23, 2012 4:14 AM EST- Posted in
- Mac
- Apple
- MacBook Pro
- Laptops
- Notebooks
The Retina Display in Numbers
I already published preliminary analysis of the Retina MacBook Pro’s display. In short brightness is down a bit, black levels are considerably improved and contrast as a result takes a huge step forward compared to previous models. My personal MacBook Pro used the anti-glare matte screen and the improvement in contrast ratio compared to that reference is over 50%.
Apple made no mention of impact to color accuracy or color gamut. It turns out that the omission was for good reason, the Retina Display offers no improvement along either vector. The numbers show a slight regression compared to last year’s panel but the difference is imperceivable.
Technically Apple’s use of the word Retina in reference to a display only refers to the inability for the human eye to resolve individual pixels at a specified distance (18-inches for the MacBook Pro). In practice however Apple has delivered tightly integrated IPS panels with wonderful performance characteristics as a part of the Retina brand. I do hope that for the years to come Apple does not compromise on these fronts.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
471 Comments
View All Comments
parlour - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
Hihi, that’s funny. I found the keyboard massively preferable to that of the non-Retina MBP. It seems tighter to me.I think the conclusion of this is that you have to try the keyboard before you buy. It’s certainly a high-quality keyboard either way, so calling it “the weakest part” is pretty much nonsense. It may be the weakest part for you personally, but not for everyone.
zappb - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
I said "squishy" , you said "tighter", are we still talking about a keyboard? is this another marketing thing a la retina?(tm)parlour - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
The old MBP keyboard feels more spongy to me while the rMBP keyboard feels tighter (or less spongy) to me. Hey, this is all hard to describe, we are all using strange words.So, no. I do not share your impression.
Omid.M - Sunday, June 24, 2012 - link
The key travel is maybe 30% less travel than the regular MBP. It's just like the Air and I can't stand it. You have to change HOW you type, unfortunately because there's little bounce back.I'm also disappointed in the GPU. There's definitely lag. I think we have to wait until Broadwell—2014 WWDC?—to see a 3rd gen rMBP that's truly polished.
The OWC video is totally misleading; there's no way the experience is smooth with 3 displays (4 total including the laptop).
gorash - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
Sounds like yet another overhyped Apple product (screen). "The screen is life-changing! It has changed my life! I can't look at any other screen in the same way now! Now I am more productive, I have more friends, and I've lost 20 pounds, thanks to the amazing Retina Display!". It was the same with the iPad 3. People were overhyping the Retina display, and everybody was saying how amazing and gorgeous and groundbreaking and life-changing the Retina display was. Then I actually saw it and I was like "Yeah it looks a little sharper, but it's nothing groundbreaking or anything".So yet again, people are getting overly hyped about yet another Apple product. Sure it may be a good product, but people act like it's the second coming or something... lol.
lukarak - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
For me, it's not the sharpness, it's the ability to use multiple 'resolutions' (non-native) viably, which provide different levels of screen realestate. I like that part of the equation much better than the increased sharpness, but i guess some people will also have use for it too.KoolAidMan1 - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
On top of increased sharpness, the color and contrast is the best I've seen on any laptop. It honestly competes with some of the best IPS desktop monitors I've seen. Fire up Aperture, it is pretty remarkable.The thing is a godsend for photographers and other professionals who work with images.
lukarak - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
I use macs for software development, so i don't really care about that, but it is still nice to have a better quality screen, sure.DeciusStrabo - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
The Thinkpad T530/W530 1080p is arguably better outside of the resolution - not IPS, but very near the same quality. And it has a 95 % sRGB gamut.inplainview - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
Here's and idea for you... Don't buy one.... Now isn't that revolutionary?