Toshiba has introduced a new premium notebook brand, labeled Kira, that brings one the first Windows 8 portables to rival the Retina MacBook Pro's pixel density. The Kirabook features a 13.3-inch display with 2560x1440 resolution, equating to 221 pixels per inch but falling just short of the 1560x1600 spread on Apple's 13-inch Retina notebook, as noted by The Next Web.
A Retina MacBook Pro owner is launching a class-action lawsuit alleging that Apple has not acknowledged, fixed or warned users that displays in the Retina unit made by LG (one of two primary suppliers) have problems with "ghosting," retaining an after-image for a time. Beau Hodges has filed suit in California, complaining that users have no way of knowing until after purchase whether they have an LG display version and that "none of Apple's ... representations disclose that it [has RMBPs] with different levels of performance and quality."
Reports have surfaced that some users who purchased a Retina MacBook Pro are experiencing mostly unexplained bursts of system cooling fans shifting to fast speed. A 27 page thread on the Apple support forums is collecting user data on the phenomenon, with no user fix apparent. Apple has yet to issue a formal response on the matter.
A clever way of making sure haptic vibratory feedback is restricted to a specific area, the overall design of the Retina MacBook Pro and the structure-strengthening design of the RMBP's vents have all been given patent protection by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The latter patent complements one already awarded earlier for the asymmetrical fans used in the RMBP to suppress fan noise, while the haptic feedback patent hints at future changes for iOS devices.
Henge Docks, well known for its MacBook Pro docking stations, has announced a new model at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas: the Horizontal Dock, a $249 combination riser and docking station specifically for the MacBook Air and Retina MacBook Pro. The new dock stands in stark contrast to the company's vertically-oriented AirDock and Henge Docks that allow users to run and hook monitors to MacBooks with the lid closed.
Apple has wasted no time in getting advertising out showcasing its latest products. A rare TV ad promoting the newest Mac portable on Wednesday evening during Modern Family that featured the 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro, while Business Insider caught sight of a billboard in New York City's Meatpacking District promoting the iPad mini.
Apple has launched the television campaign for its new 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display. The new ‘Colors’ ad focuses on the thinness of the unit by present a side view initially, then slowly pans 90-degrees to reveal the centerpiece Retina Display. Also highlighted are the wide-viewing angles offered by its use of IPS technology, while it ends with the tagline “For the Pro in all of us.”
Apple's rumored 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro may cost approximately $1,699 for the basic configuration, according to alleged pricing details published by 9to5Mac. If true, the 13-inch Retina model will command a $500 premium over the current entry-level 13-inch MacBook Pro, while priced $500 below the basic 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.
A source at a high-profile US retailer has reportedly confirmed that Apple will be adding a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro to its notebook lineup at an event later this month. The new 13-inch MacBook would join Apple's 15-inch model in bringing Retina technology -- which first emerged with Apple's iOS devices -- to the notebook space. While the announcement -- indeed, the very existence of a late-October event -- has not been confirmed by Apple, the unveiling of a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro would be in keeping with previous predictions.
Production of a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina display is still "on track", claims an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch. Speaking to CNET, Richard Shim believes the notebook will begin manufacture in the fourth quarter, later than estimates made by other analysts earlier this year for an October production start.
Adding to prior evidence that a 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro is in the offing, a new model of the high-resolution MacBook has shown up in another set of online benchmarks. As Mac Rumors details, the new model bears many of the same specs as the model spotted earlier this year, but with a few key differences. Apple has been thought to have a 13-inch version of its MacBook line of notebooks in the works for some time, and the computers are expected to ship later this year.
Yelp has released a major update for its iOS app, adding new features for both the iPhone and iPad. The iPhone version has gained a new business page interface, improved navigation for users who are not logged into an account, and the ability to compliment and like Tips. Meanwhile, the iPad version now allows users to edit business information, add photos, and provide Useful, Funny, and Cool votes in reviews. In addition, both versions have also received support for Yelpy Insights.
Upgrade and accessory manufacturer Newer Technology has announced the NuGuard keyboard cover for the 2012 Retina display MacBook Pro. The black silicone cover is the first keyboard cover on the market for the new model MacBook Pro, and matches the full-size keyboard. The form-fitting sheet molds to cover each key and the space between keys for protection against key wear, hair, spills, and detritus. The NuGuard keyboard cover is available from OWC and select retail establishments at a retail price of $20.
Environmental site TreeHugger has gotten ahold of an Apple memo revealing that the battery in the new Retina MacBook pros cannot be easily replaced. The finding makes the new MacBooks even less repairable than previously thought. The revelation also casts doubt on the ultimate recyclability of the new MacBooks, as replacing the battery requires replacing a considerable portion of the computer itself.
The sudden pullout -- and subsequent return -- of Apple from the EPEAT certification program it helped create increasingly appears to have been a dispute over the status that have been given to the Retina MacBook Pro if it were submitted, as the two 15-models with the high-resolution display may have been threatened with a lower-than-top ranking, a first for the company. The Retina models now appear on the EPEAT website with Gold rankings.
Apple has published a FAQ page dealing with questions regarding the new Retina MacBook Pro models, mentioning a fix for some programs that may not run correctly in the high-resolution mode, tips for working with more than one display, and answering concerns about Boot Camp and other multi-boot environments. The FAQ also reveals how to coax alternative resolution settings out of the Displays panel.
Analyst firm NPD claims that Apple is set to expand its high-resolution MacBook Pro line with a 13.3-inch offering. In a blog post, NPD revealed findings from its examination of the ODM supply chain, which indicate that a 13.3-inch high-resolution display is already being produced in large quantities. The report also estimates that Apple will be producing fewer than two million 15.4-inch Retina MacBook Pros this year.
