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Modest Retina MacBook Pro refresh expected tomorrow, still with GeForce GT 750M but base RAM up to 16GB

The unverified photo from a Chinese Apple Store appearing to show a slight refresh to the Retina MacBook Pro launch is accurate, claims French site MacG, citing a reliable source. The site claims that the refreshed models will go on sale tomorrow.

The refresh is a minor one, with a modest speed boost of 200MHz and an increase in RAM across the range to 16GB. Apple is also, for the first time, offering a 1TB SSD in a standard model … 

The specs seen yesterday are:

  • 2.2GHz Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost to 3.4GHz), 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and Intel Iris Pro Graphics
  • 2.5GHz Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost to 3.7GHz), 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and Intel Iris Pro Graphics & NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M w/2GB Video Memory
  • 2.8GHz Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost to 4.0GHz), 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and Intel Iris Pro Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M w/2GB Video Memory

One surprising element, if the specs are correct, is that Apple is retaining the NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M – we would have expected this to be replaced with the more powerful and more energy-efficient GeForce 800M.

We’re expecting a more significant update in the fall, with a new 12-inch MacBook with Retina display expected to be part of the new line-up. It has been rumored this will be a new design without a fan or mechanical trackpad.

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Comments

  1. jpluimers - 10 years ago

    Is this a prologue of upcoming 32GB Retina MacBook Pro machines?

  2. patstar5 - 10 years ago

    Still don’t know what to get, surface pro 3 or MacBook pro/air. I think I should upgrade my mid 2010 MacBook pro. How much is 500gb ssd? $200? Where could I take it to be installed, last time I tried upgrading ram I fried something with the screen and paid $350 at Apple store for them to fix it. So I don’t want to do it myself.

    • Ben Lovejoy - 10 years ago

      Any Mac place would be able to do that for you – it’s a five-minute job if you clone the drive first.

  3. Joshua Loh - 10 years ago

    can’t they at least put the gtx780M? i know it’s not a latest but since it’s a ‘modest’ upgrade they wouldn’t be putting like the gtx8XXm series, but at least a 780m!

    • apex0predator - 10 years ago

      780M have too high of a TDP to be adequately cooled by Macbook Pro’s current cooling system, they could have upgraded to 850M which have less TDP than 750M and more performance though.

    • SteveZ (@nerdAFK) - 10 years ago

      ONLY the 880m is more powerful than the 780m.

  4. Parker (@XKSParker) - 10 years ago

    Any news on the 13″ Retina MacBook Pros? The picture from the Chinese site yesterday only focused on the 15″ ones.

    • apex0predator - 10 years ago

      If the rumors about the 12″ retina macbook air is true that would probably kill the 13″ retina Pro. Although Intel do have a new chip coming out that’s perfect for 13″ retina Macbook Pro refresh.
      http://ark.intel.com/products/83506/Intel-Core-i7-4578U-Processor-4M-Cache-up-to-3_50-GHz

      • Stetson - 10 years ago

        It sounds like the 12″ Air will probably have some very low TDP silicon in it, maybe even one of the Broadwell M fanless chips. That still leaves plenty of room for a 13″ MBP with more CPU and graphics power with better cooling.

  5. So, Apple is going to release these this week and then another refresh in a few months?

    • apex0predator - 10 years ago

      13″ rMBP could get a refresh like this soon(if the rumor about the 12″ retina air are false), otherwise I wouldn’t expect another Macbook pro refresh until Q2 2015, the Broadwell chip they need just aren’t going to be ready this year.

      • Since Intel’s site calls for a launch in Q3, it may ship in 2014, maybe just not in the September/October timeframe.

      • apex0predator - 10 years ago

        Cameron, you are not looking at the correct Broadwell SKU(not the Broadwell Core M or U that are shipping in Q3/Q4 2014), the chips needed for these 15″ Macbook Pro are the quad core 37W/47W Broadwell-H and all Intel roadmap points to those shipping in Q2 2015.
        http://wccftech.com/intel-broadwell-enthusiasts-delayed-2015/

    • Simple answer is no. This will be the only upgrade for around 8 months. Apple is waiting for Intel’s new Broadwell chips to be ready before making any significant upgrades.

  6. chrisw52 - 10 years ago

    is this a completely sealed box or can I upgrade on my own?

    • Stetson - 10 years ago

      The retina MBPs are not officially upgradeable if you ask Apple, but you can change out the SSD for a different one if you have the right pentalobe screwdriver and an SSD made specifically for that model/year MacBook Pro.

      • chrisw52 - 10 years ago

        Well, that’s not too hard, but Apple is not making it any easier.

    • If you unseal it, it will self-destruct!

  7. Grrr. This is frustrating. I’m in the market for a MBP right now, but I don’t want to be the guy who buys one and the refresh comes out 60 days later with more power for the same price :-)

    • Stetson - 10 years ago

      You could buy a certified refurbished MBP from Apple. That way you save a couple hundred bucks and it doesn’t hurt so badly when new ones come out.

    • apex0predator - 10 years ago

      In all likelihood the next refresh after this one is due Q2 2015 with new Broadwell chips, If you need rMBP right now just get these when they come out tomorrow.

    • Hey, I’m the guy who bought the Retina MacBook Pro as soon as it was available last year, and maxed out all the specs. Still hurts that the base model will have a better processor and include the same sized SSD for the base price. I paid $700 for those upgrades.

  8. Joseph DiPierno - 10 years ago

    Would love to see a price drop as well.

    • apex0predator - 10 years ago

      Prices are staying where they are, I double checked the price on the Chinese leak against the price currently listed on apple.com/cn and they are the same. It is likely Apple choose to include more RAM on the base model instead of dropping price.

    • I’m sorry but I bought my rMBP as soon as it was available last year, and maxed out all of the specs. This upgrade will make the base model equivalent to my machine. I paid $700 for those upgrades, so you could consider it a $700 price drop. I’ll be damned if you get anymore.

  9. Angelo Tepedino - 10 years ago

    I just bought the top line macbook pro 15″ 4 days ago!!! I want to return it and get the slight upgraded one.

    • apex0predator - 10 years ago

      Do it tomorrow if these indeed come out then. You got nothing to lose really.

    • If you bought it from Apple Store, from what I hear they’re really good about exchanging for the upgrade. If they don’t exchange it, they could offer you cash or in-store credit.

      PS If they don’t release the upgrade tomorrow I might consider returning the computer and holding off until they do.

  10. Some update is coming. For our store all retina model are Out of stock and have ETA’s of 08/04-08/07. Some definitely an update imo.

  11. godofbiscuits - 10 years ago

    But will it have HDMI 2.0?

  12. stephen2697 - 10 years ago

    I took the liberty to confirm that the first two models will stay the same prices at €2049 & €2649. However the third model which is new will cost a whopping €3,349 ($3,299). Would been nice if 9to5 could of done this themselves! But its not a problem and i love 9to5 anyway!

  13. Christopher Green - 10 years ago

    Just like a few of you, I’m in the market for a new rMBP. My late-2009 is lagging to say the least. Should I wait until the fall to get a new Pro or wait for the Broadwell chip in 2015 ?? Is the Broadwell a serious game-changer?

  14. Jane Sheppard - 10 years ago

    that GPU is not good enough… forget this upgrade cycle !

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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