Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro getting Retina Display, analysts say

Apple

(CBS News) Apple MacBook Pro fans may see one more model hit shelves in the next few months. A 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display may launch in October, analysts predict.

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Apple announced updates to its laptop line Monday, introducing the company's next generation 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display.

According to AppleInsider, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of the financial service group KGI Securities predicts that a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display will go into production in September and go on sale in early October.

Kuo had correctly predicted that Apple would stop making the 17-inch MacBook Pro, and instead release a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display in addition to the current line of laptops.

Two other analysts are making similar claims to Kuo. Richard Shim and Jeff Lin of DisplaySearch reported that 13-inch 2,560 x 1,600 display are "being prepared for production in the third quarter."

Shim and Lin said their supply chain sources "indicate that Apple will use this panel in a MacBook Pro unit to be launched in the fourth quarter." And that the production volume is expected to be about twice as much as the 15-inch MacBook Pro.

17 Photos

MacBook Pro with Retina Display: Hands-on (pictures)

[hypnotoad72]

Some of Apple's policies of recent are annoying*, but the Retina IPS-based panel display is a legitimate winner, especially if color accuracy and shadow detail are a must in doing work.

I'll save up for the 15" version, though... The 17" version, which would otherwise be heaven, would be too pricey...

* lack of internal upgrades, but I did see how much Apple charges for 16GB, and it's not much higher than 3rd party solutions (by only $30, so only when 3rd party solutions' RAM goes down to $100 will then Apple be seen as gouging, as they rarely alter prices to match supply (which also shows an example of how "supply and demand" is a myth... unless Apple really does drop the price from $200 to $130, which will not happen - based on their history of upgrade prices.)