The new model sets a new standard for 13.3-inch subnotebooks with a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels and 227 DPI. The Apple MacBook Pro 13 Mid 2012 only had 1280x800 pixels and was certainly behind the times. The MacBook Pro 15 Retina features an even higher resolution of 2800x1800 pixels and more powerful components to boot.
Speaking of components: our review model comes equipped with an Intel Core i5-3210M dual-core processor (2.5 GHz clock speed), integrated HD 4000 GPU, 8 GB RAM, and a 256 GB flash drive. For 200 Euros (~$260) more, the customer can opt for the more powerful Intel Core i7-3520M dual-core processor (2.9 GHz clock speed). Upgrades to 16 GB DDR3L RAM and a dedicated (Nvidia) GPU - both are options for the MacBook Pro 15 Retina - are not available.
Interested? The youngest member of the notebook series from Cupertino is certainly not for the frugal shopper: the price of admission starts at 1750 Euros (~$2275). Alternatively, Apple offers the 13.3-inch model without the high resolution display for 500 Euros (~$650) less. Let's see how well the new slim-line notebook performs in our series of tests and how it compares to its bigger brother.
The most notable feature of the new Apple MacBook Pro 13 is without a doubt the high-resolution Retina display. Apple seems to gradually update the various screen sizes with the new technology - next year, we might see the MacBook Air 13, MacBook Air 11, as well as the iPad Mini with new displays. The 13.3-inch panel (type APPA014) has a native resolution of 2560x1600 pixels. 4 megapixels equals a pixel density of 227 DPI - even higher than the larger Apple MacBook Pro 15 Retina (15.4-inch display, 2880x1800 pixels, 5.2 megapixel - 220 DPI). Both screens are glossy -type - Apple does not offer a matte version of the Retina display.
Apple does not offer a lot of choices as far as configuring the MacBook Pro 13 Retina is concerned. Our review model constitutes the lower end and features an Intel Core i5-3210M dual-core processor. This CPU is part of Intel's Ivy Bridge generation and is produced using a 22 nanometer process. The base clock speed is 2.5 GHz; Turbo Boost technology can overclock the processor to 3.1 GHz (one core) or 2.9 GHz (two cores). On the other end of the spectrum, Intel's Speed Step technology reduces the clock speed of the processor during idle to conserve power. Anandtech was able to verify that both Turbo Boost and Hyperthreading are working as intended. The i5-3210M is used in quite a few midrange multimedia notebooks right now. For an additional 200 Euros (~$260), the notebook can be equipped with the 2.9 GHz Intel Core i7-3520M dual-core CPU. Another difference between the two CPUs is the amount of L3 cache (i7-3520M 4 MB; i5-3210M 3 MB)
For the first part of our evaluation of the Intel Core i5-3210M, we use the CPU benchmark tests from Maxon. Since we had issues running Windows, the recorded scores are only a rough guideline. The scores under Mac OS X, however, reflect the maximum performance possible.
The processor achieved 9700 points in the older CineBench R10 (OSX, 32-bit) multithread test. The result under Windows was only 8942 points. This difference of 8 percent can be attributed to the fact that Turbo Boost isn't fully available. The results for the i5-3210M under Mac OS X are actually as good as the results for the more powerful Intel Core i5-3320M under Windows (Dell Latitude E6430 : 9578 points - an average score for this particular CPU). Notebooks with comparable performance are the Wortmann Terra Mobile 1773Q, the Lenovo IdeaPad Y580, and the Acer TravelMate P453.
The current CineBench R11.5 (64-bit) benchmark tests shows both Operating Systems neck and neck - we recorded 2.82 points for the processor running Mac OS X 10.8.2 and 2.87 points for Windows. The MacBook places right in the middle of other systems with the same CPU.
Are the 200 Euros (~$260) more for the Intel Core i7-3520M money well spent? The HP EliteBook 2570p managed a score of 3.38 - a difference of about 18 percent. We think that this is a lot of money for comparatively little gain. Apple doesn't offer any quad-core processors for the 13-inch MacBook.
To start our measurements, we run the Battery Eater Reader’s Test (all wireless modules off, display brightness turned down all the way, deactivated keyboard backlight) under Mac OS X. This test simulates reading of a text document. Our notebook shut down after over 16 hours. The MacBook Pro 13 Mid 2012 lasted about 11 hours during the same test scenario. The other extreme is the Battery Eater Classic Test (all wireless modules on, display at maximum brightness, keyboard backlight on) under Windows 7. The result of 2 hours and 16 minutes is quite good - again courtesy of the larger battery.
Way more interesting are the realistic tests: the first one is our WLAN surf-test. We run this test (a script visits a new website every 40 seconds) with the display brightness set to 150 cd/m². The MacBook lasted for 6 hours and 42 minutes before we needed to plug it back in - pretty close to Apple's claim of 7 hours. When we turned the display brightness to its maximum and activated the keyboard backlight, the notebook managed about 5 hours.
For our second realistic test, we play a 1080p (1920x1080 pixels) movie. With the screen brightness turned up all the way, the notebook lasted for 214 minutes. Two standard-length movies (120 minutes each) are not possible - at least not with the brightness set to maximum.
Specifications Apple MacBook Pro Retina 13 inch 2012-10
- Processor : Intel Core i5-3210M 2.5 GHz
- Mainboard : Intel QS77 (Panther Point)
- Memory : 8192 MB, 1600 MHz, DDR3L, Hynix, H5TC4G83MFR, onboard
- Graphics adapter : Intel HD Graphics 4000 - 768 MB, 9.17.10.2875
- Display : 13.3 inch 16:10, 2560x1600 pixel, Apple APPA014, IPS LED, 13.3-inch, Retina display, 227 DPI, glossy: yes
- Harddisk : Apple SSD SM256E (Samsung), 256GB Model: MZ-DPC2560/0A2, 8x 32 GB NAND
- Soundcard : Cirrus Logic 4206BCNZ
- Connections : 2 USB 3.0, 2 Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI, Audio Connections: Headphone jack, two microphones, Card Reader: SD, SDHC, SDXC, Sensors: Ambient light sensor, MagSafe 2
- Networking : Broadcom BCM94331CSAX (abgn), 4.0 Bluetooth
- Size : height x width x depth (in mm): 19 x 314 x 219
- Weight : 1.624 kg Power Supply: 0.225 kg
- Battery : 74 Wh Lithium-Polymer, 6 cells, integrated
- Price : 2049 Euro
- Operating System : Apple Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
- Additional features : Webcam: 720p, Speakers: Stereo, Keyboard: Chiclet type, Keyboard Light: yes, Subnotebook, 65 watt power adapter, EU power plug, poer cable, documentation, cleaning cloth, sticker, iMovie, iPhoto, GarageBand, iTunes, Photo Booth, Safari, App Store, 12 Months Warranty, Model: A1425
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