General Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in Mac News Review. iPad, iPod, iPhone, and
Apple TV news is covered in iOS News
Review. All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
News & Opinion
Tech Trends
Products & Services
News & Opinion
Apple Introduces New MacBook Pro with Retina
Display
PR: Apple on Monday unveiled a new 15" MacBook Pro
featuring a Retina Display, all flash storage, and quad-core
processors in a radically thin and light design. Measuring 0.71" thick
and weighing 4.46 pounds, the completely redesigned MacBook Pro (an
upgraded current model 15" MacBook Pro also remains available) points
the way to where Apple is gong with laptops.
"The MacBook Pro with Retina Display pushes the limits of
performance and portability like no other notebook," said Tim Cook,
Apple's CEO. "With a gorgeous Retina Display, all flash architecture,
and a radically thin and light design, the new MacBook Pro is the most
advanced Mac we have ever built."
New 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display
The new MacBook Pro Retina Display is claimed to be the world's
highest resolution notebook display with over 5 million pixels, 3
million more than an HD television. At 220 pixels-per-inch (ppi), the
Retina Displays pixel density is so high the human eye can't
distinguish individual pixels from a normal viewing distance, so text
and graphics look incredibly sharp. The Retina Display uses IPS
technology for a 178° wide viewing angle, and has 75% less
reflection and 29% higher contrast than the previous generation.
Regular MacBook Pro and Retina MacBook Pro screens compared.
Featuring a precision engineered aluminum unibody design and an all
flash storage architecture, the new MacBook Pro is the lightest MacBook
Pro ever and nearly as thin as a MacBook Air. Flash storage that is up
to four times faster than traditional notebook hard drives enables the
all new MacBook Pro to play four simultaneous streams of uncompressed
1080p HD video from internal storage.1 The flash storage
architecture also delivers improved reliability, instant-on
responsiveness, and 30 days of standby time.
The MacBook Pro with Retina Display features the latest Intel Core
i7 Ivy Bridge quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo Boost
speeds up to 3.7 GHz, Nvidia GeForce GT 650M discrete graphics, up to
16 GB of faster 1600 MHz RAM and flash storage up to 768 GB. Two
Thunderbolt and two USB 3.0 ports allow pro users to connect to
multiple displays and high performance devices, and a new HDMI port
offers quick connectivity to HDTVs.
The MacBook Pro battery delivers up to 7 hours of wireless
productivity, and uses advanced chemistry and Adaptive Charging
technology to provide up to 1,000 recharges.2 The MacBook
Pro also features a FaceTime HD camera, glass Multi-Touch trackpad,
full-size backlit keyboard, dual microphones, enhanced speakers,
3-stream 802.11n WiFi, and a thinner MagSafe 2 power port.
OS X and Apps Updated for Retina Display
OS X 10.7 Lion, iPhoto,
iMovie, iTunes, and other Apple apps including Aperture and Final Cut
Pro X have been updated to take full advantage of the new MacBook Pro
with Retina Display. The updated Aperture 3.3 also includes
revolutionary new image adjustment features and now supports a unified
photo library so photographers can move seamlessly between iPhoto and
Aperture.
The new MacBook Pro ships with OS X Lion. Starting today, customers
who purchase a Mac are eligible for a free copy of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion when
it becomes available. Mountain Lion introduces innovative features
including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, systemwide
Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center and the enhanced security of
Gatekeeper, plus iCloud built into the foundation of OS X.
The 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display is available through the
Apple Online Store, Apple's retail stores, and Apple Authorized
Resellers. The 15" MacBook Pro is available with a 2.3 GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.3 GHz,
8 GB of memory, and 256 GB of flash storage starting at $2,199;
and with a 2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost
speeds up to 3.6 GHz, 8 GB of memory, and 512 GB of flash storage
starting at $2,799. Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core
processors up to 2.7 GHz, up to 16 GB of memory, and flash storage up
to 768 GB.
- Testing conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook
Pro configurations. For more information visit http://apple.com/macbook-pro/features/
- The Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in June
2012 using preproduction MacBook Pro configurations. Battery life and
charge cycles vary by use and settings. For more information visit
apple.com/macbook-pro/features/.
Publisher's note: For our perspective on the Retina MacBook Pro, see
The Retina
MacBook Pro Value Equation. dk
Link: MacBook Pro with Retina
Display
Link: Best 15" MacBook
Pro Prices
Apple Updates MacBook Air and MacBook Pro with
Latest Processors and New Graphics
PR: Apple on Monday updated MacBook Air with the latest Intel
Core processors, faster graphics, and flash storage that is claimed to
be up to twice as fast as the previous generation.1 MacBook
Air is offered at new lower prices, while the current generation 13"
and 15" MacBook Pro have also been updated with the latest Intel Core
processors and discrete graphics from Nvidia. Apple's AirPort Express
has been redesigned to include features previously available only in
AirPort Extreme.
"Today we've updated the entire MacBook line with faster processors,
graphics, memory, flash storage and USB 3 connectivity," said Philip
Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "We've
made the world's best portable family even better and we think users
are going to love the performance advances in both the MacBook Air and
MacBook Pro."
MacBook Air
Mid 2012 11" and 13" MacBook Air
Available in 11" and 13" models, the new MacBook Air features
Intel's latest "Ivy Bridge" Core i5 and Core i7 dual-core processors
and new integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 claimed to be up to 60%
faster.2 MacBook Air also features flash storage Apple says
is up to four times faster than traditional hard drives for instant-on
performance and fast access to apps and data. More big news is that the
MacBook Air now comes with a more reasonable 4 GB of system memory
and is configurable up to 8 GB, also also featuring a new FaceTime
HD camera that delivers high-definition 720p
MacBook Pro
Mid 2012 13" and 15" MacBook Pro
The 13" MacBook
Pro features the Intel Core i5 or Core i7 Ivy Bridge dual-core
processors up to 2.9 GHz with Turbo Boost speeds up to 3.6 GHz. The
15" MacBook
Pro features Core i7 quad-core processors up to 2.7 GHz with Turbo
Boost speeds up to 3.7 GHz and Nvidia GeForce GT 650M discrete
graphics. Both the 13" and 15" MacBook Pro can be configured with a
1 TB hard drive or SSDs up to 512 GB that Apple says are up to
twice as fast as the previous generation.
MacBook Air and MacBook Pro both now feature a high-speed
Thunderbolt port and two USB 3.0 ports to easily connect to external
displays and high performance peripherals. Apple says the 13" MacBook Air, and 13"
and 15" MacBook Pro can deliver up to 7 hours of wireless battery life,
and the 11" MacBook Air
up to 5 hours and are engineered to provide up to 1,000
recharges.3
The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro ship with OS X 10.7 Lion. Starting today,
customers who purchase a Mac are eligible for a free copy of OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion when
it becomes available. Mountain Lion introduces innovative features
including the all new Messages app, Notification Center, systemwide
Sharing, AirPlay Mirroring, Game Center, and the enhanced security of
Gatekeeper, plus iCloud built into the foundation of OS X.
AirPort Express Gains AirPlay
Priced at $99, the new AirPort Express features a completely
redesigned compact enclosure and new wireless and connectivity
capabilities. Simultaneous dual-band 802.11n WiFi allows users to
easily create a network that delivers optimal performance and range.
The AirPort Express also features an audio-out port to connect external
powered speakers or an A/V receiver and use AirPlay to wirelessly
stream from iTunes on your Mac or iOS device. A USB 2.0 port allows you
to share a printer wirelessly over your network, and an additional
ethernet port lets you connect to other computers and network devices.
Setup is built right into OS X and iOS and can be done in just a
few simple steps, and with AirPort Utility 6.0 for OS X Lion and
iOS you can access a visual map of your network for viewing and
reconfiguring devices.
The 11" MacBook Air comes with a 1.7 GHz processor, 4 GB of
memory, and is available with 64 GB of flash storage starting at $999,
and 128 GB of flash storage starting at $1,099. The 13" MacBook Air
comes with a 1.8 GHz processor, 4 GB of memory and is available
with 128 GB of flash storage starting at $1199, and 256 GB of flash
storage starting at $1,499. Configure-to-order options include a 2.0
GHz Intel Core i7 processor, up to 8 GB of 1600 MHz DDR3 onboard
memory, and up to 512 GB flash storage.
The 13" MacBook Pro is available with a 2.5 GHz dual-core Intel Core
i5 processor, 4 GB of memory, and 500 GB hard drive starting at
$1,199, and with a 2.9 GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8 GB
of memory, and 750 GB hard drive starting at $1,499.
The 15" MacBook Pro is available with a 2.3 GHz quad-core Intel Core
i7 processor, 4 GB of memory, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and Nvidia
GeForce GT 650M, and 500 GB hard drive starting at $1,799; and with a
2.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8 GB of memory, Intel
HD Graphics 4000 and Nvidia GeForce GT 650M, and 750 GB hard drive
starting at $2,199. Configure-to-order options include faster quad-core
processors up to 2.7 GHz, additional hard drive capacity up to
1 TB, up to 8 GB of memory, and solid state storage up to 512
GB.
Publisher's note: For our perspective on the new MacBook Air, see
The Mid 2012
MacBook Air Value Equation. For our perspective on the new MacBook
Pro, see The Mid
2012 MacBook Pro Value Equation. dk
- Testing conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook
Air configurations. For more information visit
apple.com/macbookair/features.html.
- Testing conducted by Apple in June 2012 using preproduction MacBook
Air configurations. For more information visit
apple.com/macbookair/features.html.
- The Wireless Web protocol testing was conducted by Apple in June
2012 using preproduction MacBook Pro and MacBook Air configurations.
Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings.
Link: MacBook Air
Link: Best MacBook Air
Prices
Link: MacBook
Pro
Link: Best 13" MacBook
Pro Prices
Link: Best 15" MacBook
Pro Prices
iFixit's Mid 2012 MacBook Air Teardown Reveals New
SSD Connector, More
iFixit's Kyle Wiens says:
Hey, guess what - the updated MacBook Air really does have some new
stuff inside! That's in marked contrast with the "new" iPod nanos that
were released last year, which got us all up in a frenzy over very few
changes.
Wiens notes that Apple has tweaked the SSD form factor and switched
to a different flash controller - the new unit based on a SandForce
SATA Revision 3 controller chip, but stamped with Toshiba markings. He
notes that it's still removable, meaning that users will be able to
upgrade the drive once third-party components become available, and
that while the board bears visual similarities to mSATA, it is not
using the same connector.
11" and 13" MacBook Air
Unfortunately, the RAM is still not upgradeable, and Wiens strongly
recommends that anyone purchasing an Air upgrade to 8 GB at
purchase time, because you're stuck with whatever it leaves the
assembly line with forever.
Another heads-up: The new MagSafe 2 connector won't work with
Apple's currently shipping Cinema displays unless you buy their $10
adapter (see below). Wiens also wonders whether Apple
will update the Cinema display, start including an adapter with the
display, or force people to remember to buy the extra adapter.
"We were expecting that moving to Ivy Bridge would improve battery
life," he says, "but it looks like Apple decided to push the Core i7
performance envelope and keep battery life the same. We did see
internal evidence of power savings, including moving from 1.5 volt
SDRAM to Hynix's lower power DDR3L 1.35v part."
Repair Score: 4 / 10
The SSD can be removed and replaced.
Wiens observes "The lack of upgradeability makes this a difficult
machine to recommend. Proprietary screws on the case require special
pentalobe screwdrivers to perform repairs. The Air's RAM and SSD are
not currently upgradeable, although SSD options may become available in
time. While Apple's continued use of proprietary screws is helping our
booming tool sales, it's bad for consumers and bad for the
environment."
Wiens says iFixit will be taking apart the Retina MacBook Pro the
moment they get their hands on one.
Photos courtesy iFixit.
Link: MacBook Air 13"
Mid 2012 Teardown
iFixit Teardown of Retina MacBook Pro Finds Poor
Repairability
iFixit's Kyle Wiens observes that the new MacBook Pro with Retina
Display is stunning. Just 0.71" thick with a super-fast processor, and
95 watt hours of battery life, Apple's newest 'Book crams 5.1 million
pixels into a 15.4" screen area.
"But even though it packs lots of gee-whiz bells and whistles," says
Wiens, "we were thoroughly disappointed when we ventured inside. This
is, to date, the least repairable laptop we've taken apart. Apple has
packed all the things we hate into one beautiful little package."
Wiens cites teardown highlights (if you can call them that) as:
Just like in the iPhone 4/4S (and the MacBook Air), proprietary
Pentalobe screws prevent most users from accessing the machine's
internals. You need a special (and hard-to-obtain) screwdriver just to
remove the bottom cover.
As in the MacBook Air, the RAM is soldered to the logic board.
Either pay Apple another $200 to max out at 16 GB up front or forever
hold your peace. There are no RAM slots, so you can't upgrade later
on.
Removing the proprietary SSD.
The proprietary SSD isn't upgradeable either (at least yet), being
similar but not identical to the flash storage module in the
previous MacBook Air. However, it is at least on a separate card, and
Wiens says iFixit is hopeful that they'll be able to offer an upgrade
in the near future.
The lithium-polymer battery is glued rather than screwed into the
case, which increases the chances that it'll break during disassembly.
The battery also covers the trackpad cable, which tremendously
increases the chance that a user will shear the cable in the battery
removal process.
The display assembly is completely fused, and there's no glass
protecting it. If anything ever fails inside the display, you'll need
to replace the entire (extremely expensive) assembly.
Prying at the battery.
Consequently, iFixit has awarded the Retina MacBook Pro a worst-ever
repair score of 1/10.
"Laptops are expensive, so it's critical that consumers have the
option to repair things that go wrong, as well as upgrade their own
hardware to keep it relevant as new technologies roll out," Kyle Wiens
contends. Unhappily, he observes, "On top of being glued together, the
new MacBook Pro is virtually nonupgradeable, making it the first
MacBook Pro that will be unable to adapt to future advances in memory
and storage technology."
On the other hand, he concedes that despite its dismal repair score,
there's much to be excited about in this computer beyond the Retina
Display: new ports, a claimed to be much quieter asymmetrical fan, and
a Samsung flash memory SSD. "Oh, and the screws are replaceable," he
adds.
Major chips iFixit found on the new MacBook Pro logic board:
- Nvidia GeForce GT 650M GPU
- Intel Core i7 3720QM 2.6 GHz processor
- What appears to be an Intel E208B284 Platform Controller Hub
- Hynix H5TC2GB3CFR DDR3L SDRAM
- Intel DSL3510L Thunderbolt controller
Photos courtesy iFixit.
Link: MacBook Pro with
Retina Display Teardown
AnandTech's Analysis of MacBook Pro with Retina
Display
AnandTech's Anand Lal Shimpi reports that even at the
non-integer-scaled 1680 x 1050 setting, Apple's new MacBook Pro's
Retina Display looks a lot better than last year's high-res panel, and
he observes that by removing the cover glass Apple has reduced the new
display's number of reflections and thus glare - but points out that
this still isn't a matte display, although he's never been particularly
bothered by glossy screens.
He also notes that what happens when you run an app that hasn't been
updated to support the Retina Display (that would be most third party
software at this point) isn't pretty, although scaling up should be
relatively easy since the 2880 x 1800 Retina resolution is exactly
twice the 15" MacBook Pro's 1440 x 900.
Link: MacBook Pro Retina
Display Analysis
Apple's Retina Macs: A Little Too Elite?
The Register's Andrew Orlowski notes that Apple loves to be ahead of
the competition on the technology curve, but wonders if it's steepened
the curve a little too far with the new Retina MacBook that he says is
causing angst among Apple's most loyal professional users.
Orlowski says the problem isn't the retina display per se but
rather the absence of serious storage, with the base Retina laptop
shipping with only 256 GB capacity, which video professionals say isn't
adequate for even a day of video work. And while Apple does offer
pricey 512 GB and 768 GB upgrades, the upshot is that optimal video
editing Mac got a lot more expensive this week.
He also observes that dropping the optical drive on the Pro laptop
is a different dynamic than it was with the MacBook Air - the latter
typically used as a second machine, but a MacBook Pro more often as a
primary Mac and desktop replacement.
Publisher's note: Um, that's why Apple also makes the 15" MacBook
Pro with a traditional hard drive and built-in optical drive. And if
people really want the Retina Display and lots of storage, there are a
host of fast, high capacity USB 3 bus-powered hard drives
available that weigh a lot less than the one pound difference in weight
between the two 15" MacBook Pro offerings. dk
Link: Apple's Retina
Macs: A Little Too Elite?
The Last Laptop?
Slate's Farhad Manjoo says Apple's new MacBook Pro is the greatest,
and perhaps final, version of the personal computer.
Manjoo maintains that at this point, Apple isn't really at war with
itself, because in many ways the Air is a complement to the iPad, not
its enemy. But he anticipates that at some point in the future the two
machines will have to collide, and that either the Air or the iPad will
win out - or we'll see some novel combination of the two - but in the
meantime this much is clear: If the once mighty personal computer is to
have any future, the MacBook Air is its last best hope, concluding that
the dynamics in play are strange and fascinating to behold, that thanks
to Apple, laptop computers have never been better and, also thanks to
Apple, laptops have never been more clearly destined for
obsolescence.
Link: The Last
Laptop
5 Ways to Spend $2,199 on a MacBook
Cnet's Dan Ackerman notes that the new MacBook Pro with Retina
Display isn't the only way to spend a lot on an Apple laptop.
- 15" 2.3 GHz quad-core MacBook Pro with Retina Display, 8 GB RAM,
256 GB SSD
- 15" 2.6 GHz quad-core MacBook Pro with 8 GB RAM, 750 GB hard
drive
- 13" 2.9 GHz dual-core MacBook Pro with 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
- 13" 2.0 GHz dual-core MacBook Air with 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
- 11" 2.0 GHz dual-core MacBook Air with 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
Link: Five Ways to
Spend $2,199 on a MacBook
How to Spend Over $8,000 on a New MacBook Pro
System
The 1996 PowerBook 5300ce has
the dubious distinction of being the second most expensive Mac laptop
ever, listing for a suck-in-your-breath $6,500 at the time. (Number 1:
The 1989 Macintosh Portable at a stratospheric $7,300 with 40 GB hard
drive.) However Mac 360's Alexis Kayhill demonstrates how you can take
a new $2,799 Retina Display MacBook Pro desktop replacement/home
office/small business rig well beyond that point by checking items on
the option, configure to order, and peripherals lists.
Publisher's note: Kayhill goes a bit overboard, adding $349 for
AppleCare (probably a good idea on a brand new model) and then tossing
in a Thunderbolt Display, a Thunderbolt hard drive, 3 GB Time
Capsule, Apple TV (huh?), and an Epson printer. Without all those
extras, a topped-out Retina MacBook Pro comes in at $3,749.
dk
Link: How Much Is the
New MacBook Pro with Retina Display (Almost $9,000 If You Go
Crazy)
Retina Display MacBook Pro Forecast to Be a
Bandwidth Hog
WSJ/CIO Journal's Clint Boulton says enterprise CIOs allowing BYOD
policies may find their corporate networks clogged should employees
bring Apple's newly-announced 2880 x 1800 pixel resolution Retina
Display MacBook Pro computers to work.
Boulton observes that the ultra high-res displays require more
network bandwidth, noting that that experts told CIO Journal earlier
this year that the New iPad, which also features a Retina Display of
2048 x 1536 resolution with 3.1 million pixels, would slow enterprise
networks to a crawl and increase data costs from carriers, so consider
what a MacBook with 5.1 million pixels will do to increase data traffic
congestion in office networks.
Publisher's note: This is the same nonsense spouted about the New
iPad - as though just because the screen has 4x the resolution users
will be using 4x as much bandwidth. That's patently false, as such high
resolution material can be compressed more than at standard resolutions
because the Retina Display pixels are so tiny as to be individually
indistinguishable. Boulton has updated his article and included the
following note:
"CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article
incorrectly said that the higher resolution Retina displays of the new
iPad and forthcoming MacBook Pro computers would increase consumption
of network bandwidth, thus slowing performance of corporate networks.
Higher resolution screens do not in and of themselves consume more
network bandwidth. Some analysts have suggested that owners of devices
with high-resolution screens will likely consume more video and HD
video, which would result in higher bandwidth consumption. This article
has been substantially recast to reflect this change."
Link: CIOs Beware:
New MacBook Pro Could Drive More Bandwidth Use
Apple Discontinues 17" MacBook Pro
Macworld's Dan Moren confirms that Apple has discontinued the
largest member of its laptop line in the wake of its WWDC
announcements, observing that with the 17" MacBook Pro
gone, it may seem as though Apple has lost some versatility in its
portable lineup. However, he notes that the new 15" Retina Display
MacBook Pro's 2880 x 1800 resolution display handily outstrips the
17-incher's 1920 x 1200 panel and will be its logical successor.
Link: Apple Discontinues
17-inch MacBook Pro
Why Apple Dropped the 17" MacBook Pro
ZDNet's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes contends that while sales played a
part in Apple's decision to drop the larger of the MacBook Pro systems,
it wasn't the only reason, saying he's certain Apple sold more 17"
MacBook Pros over the last year than it did Mac Pro systems, the more probable
deciding factor would be that the 15.4" display on the MacBook Pro has
a 2880 x 1800 resolution - much greater than the 17-incher's 1920 x
1200 resolution. He suggests that once LCD panel makers get better at
making Retina Display screens and 17" panels start rolling off the
production lines at the right price point, he wouldn't be surprised if
Apple offers 17" MacBook Pro systems again.
Link: Why Apple Dumped
the 17-Inch MacBook Pro
Best Alternatives to the Discontinued 17" MacBook
Pro
Cnet's Scott Stein says the sudden disappearance of Apple's 17"
MacBook Pro laptop will make some photographers and videographers weep,
but the new 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display has more pixels and
will be a great replacement, according to others. Still, 17" Pro laptop
fans suddenly find themselves looking for a new partner, and most 17"
laptops on the Windows side are "gaming laptops" - clunky, bulky, and
leaning toward power over battery life.
According to Stein, the best substitutes for the 17-incher are:
- Apple MacBook Pro 15" with Retina Display
- Razer Blade
- Samsung Series 7 Gamer
- Asus G75VW-AS71
- Toshiba Qosmio X775-Q7170
- Origin EON17-S
- HP Pavilion dv7-6b55dx
Publisher's note: Although Apple no longer features the 17" MacBook
Pro at the online Apple Store, you can still buy refurbished ones from
Apple with the same one-year warranty as a brand new MacBook Pro - and
prices start at a very reasonable $1,689 (ranging as high as $2,169).
Also, many Mac dealers still have 17" inventory. See our Best 17" MacBook Pro
Prices for current pricing. Also, it's hard for any longtime Mac
user to consider a Windows laptop a real alternative. dk
Link: Best Alternatives
to the Late, Great 17-Inch MacBook Pro
Tech Trends
Demand for High Resolution Notebook Panels
Expected to Increase, but at a High Cost
DigiTimes' Rebecca Kuo and Jackie Chang say that with Apple
introducing the new 15.4" Retina MacBook Pro with 2880 x 1800 pixel
resolution, panel makers expect increasing demand for high resolution
panels as non-Apple firms follow suit in introducing similar products,
deducing that even though the new MacBook Pro's retail price has been
set at $2,199, the new product is still attractive to consumers.
However, Kuo and Chang note that shipments of notebook panels with
resolutions of Full HD and above continue to be low, according to
DigiTimes Research accounting for less than 2% of total notebook panel
shipments in first-half 2012.
The sources point out that the price of 13" to 15" HD notebook
panels is currently around $40-45/unit, while full HD IPS panels, such
as ones Chimei Innolux (CMI) supplies to Asustek's new models, run
around $90-100/unit, while sources at Samsung and LG Display - panel
suppliers for Apple's MacBook Pro - estimate the OEM price of the 2880
x 1800 Retina panels as likely to be above $150/unit.
Link: Demand for High
Resolution Notebook Panels Expected to Increase, Says Panel Maker
(subscription required)
Products & Services
Apple MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter
PR: The MagSafe to MagSafe 2 Converter allows you to use the
MagSafe connector on your LED Cinema Display, Thunderbolt Display, or
MagSafe Power Adapter to charge your MagSafe 2-equipped Mac
computer.
$9.99
Link: MagSafe to MagSafe 2
Converter
WaterField Waxed Canvas & Leather Outback Tote
& Apple Laptop Sleeves for New Retina MacBook Pro and Other Apple
Laptops
PR: WaterField has announced their new Outback Tote and
Outback Sleeve for Apple laptops. The Outback line combines durable
waxed canvas with sturdy leather for a relaxed, professional look.
The
Outback Weekender and the Outback Daily are go-everywhere,
hold-everything Tote bags that double as travel bags or briefcases. The
Outback Laptop Sleeve provides protection with a sophisticated, rugged
look that can go from office to field.
"The Outback represents one of our new styles," explains Gary
Waterfield, company founder. "It has a masculine look and a patina that
changes over time to give every bag a unique character. Its muted
waxed-canvas color and distressed leather make the Outback
sophisticated enough for work, and functional enough for play."
The Outback Tote comes in two sizes; the medium Outback Daily for
commuters, and the larger Outback Weekender for travelers. The sturdy
canvas can hold heavy items and the leather strap length allows
users to carry it by the
handles or over the shoulder. A large, interior zippered pocket keeps
passports, wallets, keys, and other essentials out of sight. The facing
side includes a pocket sized to hold an iPad (and in the Weekender, one
additional pocket for more items). The tote can be zippered shut or
kept open to haul oversized items.
The Outback Laptop Sleeve provides the same degree of protection as
the WaterField SleeveCase line. Shock-absorbing neoprene and a waxed
canvas shell combine for a custom-fit for any Apple laptop. The sleeve
can be used alone or stashed into the Outback Tote, the Muzetto
Outback, or any other WaterField bag.
Outback Tote Features:
- Brown, waxed-canvas body that develops its own character with
use
- Distressed, vegetable-tanned, leather accents in choice of two
colors: Chocolate or Grizzly
- Two handles long enough to wear over a shoulder and short enough to
hold like a briefcase
- Discrete zippered top closure
- Interior iPad-sized pocket
- Interior self-locking, zippered pocket with organizational
sections
- Gold ripstop nylon interior lights up contents of bag
- Two sizes: the medium Outback Daily and the large Outback
Weekender
Outback Laptop Sleeve Features:
- Custom-fitted sizes for each Apple laptop, including new MacBook
Air and MacBook Pro models
- High-grade neoprene padding wrapped in a waxed-canvas shell
- Distressed, vegetable-tanned, leather trim in choice of two colors:
Chocolate or Grizzly
- Vintage artisan snap closure
- Horizontal or Vertical orientation for totes and briefcases, or
backpacks and vertical bags
- WaterField Designs also offers all of its existing laptop sleeve
options in custom sizes for the new 15" MacBook Pro with Retina
Display.
Pricing & Availability
Outback Tote
- The Daily: Price: $149; Dimensions: 13 to 19 x 14 x 5 inches.
- The Weekender: $159; Dimensions: 18 to 24 x 13 x 6 inches.
- Colors: brown waxed canvas with vegetable-tanned, leather trim in
choice of Chocolate or Grizzly.
- Available for preorder now at http://www.sfbags.com
- Shipping begins week of June 18, 2012.
Outback Laptop Sleeve
- Price: $49.
- Custom-fit sizes for every Apple laptop, including new MacBook Pro
15". Snap closure.
- Colors: brown waxed canvas with vegetable-tanned, leather trim in
choice of Chocolate or Grizzly.
- Available for preorder now at http://www.sfbags.com
MacBook Pro with Retina Display Outback Sleeve shipping to begin
within one week from Apple ship date. All other models shipping begins
June 15, 2012.
Link: Outback
Tote
Link:
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Bargain 'Books
For deals on current and discontinued 'Books, see our 13" MacBook and MacBook Pro,
MacBook Air, 13" MacBook Pro, 15" MacBook Pro, 17" MacBook Pro, 12" PowerBook G4, 15" PowerBook G4, 17" PowerBook G4, titanium PowerBook G4,
iBook G4, PowerBook G3, and iBook G3 deals.
We also track iPad,
iPhone, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPod nano, and iPod shuffle deals.
