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.
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seapeople - Sunday, June 24, 2012 - link
Wow, is that the Sony everyone here has been harping about "outdoing Apple" years ago?Reading that review basically says that while the general specs of that Sony are outstanding, every other possible aspect of user experience (keyboard, hinge design, trackpad, thermals, and noise) is completely terrible.
Oh, and it looks like it costs more than the rMBP and comes loaded with bloatware.
There's a reason that didn't get an Editor's choice award, and it's not some great conspiracy...
OCedHrt - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
Not really. You can buy it without the bloatware, you just need to select Windows Pro. They got a review unit from Sony, and Sony shipped them their "consumer" version which is loaded with bloatware (although I agree, that is even more reason to not have bloatware).The hinge is by design and something Sony engineers are quite proud of. Not everyone likes it when something is different, especially when it comes to keyboards.
Simply read the comments (http://www.anandtech.com/Show/Index/5530?cPage=5&a... and you can see only the reviewer had an issue with the hinge that he couldn't even explain very well.
I have been using the Z1 for 2 years now and the experience is awesome. It may just take some time to get used to a small laptop.
Trackpad can glitch every once in a while and for noise you can make it silent in the Sony control center (change fan from performance to silent).
There is always going to be fan noise in a high end laptop when stressing the system. This applies to the rMBP as well (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=13918...
Spunjji - Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - link
Moron.mlambert890 - Thursday, November 29, 2012 - link
Were you two on the design team of the Z? LOL!You just called the guy a moron for pointing out why *ANAND* didnt like the Z.
OK you guys are right. The Z is amazing and it is a crime against humanity that only you and your fellow crusader "get it". Sony should be the #1 PC maker rather than approaching junk bond status and it is only Apples "marketing hype" their ability to "buy off" guys like Anand and the "stupidity" of everyone on earth (except you two) that keeps Apple profitable. What an amazingly arrogant pile of crap that is
Im a huge Vaio fan and Im 100% sure Ive spent more on them than you two have combined over the years and even *I* think the two of you sound nuts.
UltraTech79 - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
You're talking out your ass.KoolAidMan1 - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
Amazing argument.Truth hurts dude, sorry
KoolAidMan1 - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - link
Nothing you noted is cutting edge, and it is also thicker and heavier than Apple's machinesOCedHrt - Sunday, June 24, 2012 - link
How is 2.5 lbs and 0.66" thick thicker and heavier than Apple's machines? Apple does not have a single laptop lighter and thinner than Sony's Z. Not even the ridiculously slow MBA can compete.KoolAidMan1 - Monday, June 25, 2012 - link
Since when were Ivy Bridge i5 and i7 CPUs ridiculously slow?Spunjji - Tuesday, June 26, 2012 - link
Comparatively? Since forever. Stop trying to undermine people's valid arguments by failing to read them, jackass.