| On June 11, 2012, at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco Apple introduced a new third generation MacBook Pro, marketed as the “MacBook Pro with Retina display” to differentiate it from the updated models of the previous generation released earlier that day. The new model includes an Ivy Bridge chipset with USB 3.0, and a high-resolution 15.4″ 2880×1800-pixel Retina display. Other new or changed features include a second Thunderbolt port, an HDMI port, and a thinner MagSafe 2 adapter. The new model omits Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports, though Apple announced Thunderbolt adapters for both interfaces along with its release. It also omits a SuperDrive, making it Apple’s first professional notebook since the PowerBook 2400c to ship without a built-in optical drive. The new model ships with a solid state drive standard rather than a hard drive. Apple also claims improved speakers and microphones and a new system for cooling the notebook with improved fans. The Retina display MacBook Pro largely follows the styling of the previous generation with its aluminum enclosure and separated black keys. The power button is now located on the keyboard rather than the upper right corner of the chassis. At 0.71 inches (18 mm) thick it is 25 percent thinner than its predecessor. The screen has a thinner bezel, and the model’s name is now on the underside of the chassis rather than the bottom of the bezel. |
