High-resolution app icons for Apple's MacBook Pro point to a retina display on upcoming models, and leaked benchmark results suggest that they'll be packing the latest Intel Ivy Bridge processors.
Apple pushed out some updates to its OS X Lion operating system last week that include icons for various apps that are double the resolution currently required, BGR reports. That can only mean one thing -- ultra-high resolution retina displays on the refreshed MacBook Pros, which are due for a launch sometime this summer.
Many people -- myself included -- have been hoping for a retina display on a MacBook for quite some time. That would let us edit super-detailed snaps from cameras like the Nikon D800 in beautiful clarity. The awesome resolution on the new iPad is undoubtedly its crowning glory and I'm excited about the possibility of that quality being brought to the MacBook Pro screen.
It's not just the display that's getting a boost though. Results posted on the Geekbench website -- the benchmarking tool used to test a computer's processing power -- indicate that someone has been testing new MacBook Pros with the latest Intel Ivy Bridge processors inside. The post references a "MacBook Pro 9,1", the existing 13-inch model being called "8,1", suggesting this is the new 13-inch version being used.
The listing also points to the new Intel Core i7-3820QM -- a high-end quad-core chip. This seems strange given that Apple usually reserves the 13-inch models for dual-core chip options with quad-core processors appearing in the 15 and 17-inch machines.
I'm not totally convinced that we're going to be seeing this chip in action on the new models. Intel hasn't launched its dual-core Ivy Bridge options yet, but I'm expecting at least a new dual-core 13-inch model to be available, perhaps alongside a more powerful quad-core version.
Exactly what form these new models will take is unknown. Previous leaks have suggested that the Pros will be slimmed down, becoming more similar in size to the MacBook Airs, albeit with bigger displays.
The new models are expected to be announced this summer, so we might not have long to wait to see exactly what Apple has up its sleeve. For all the latest info, make sure to keep it CNET UK and don't forget to let me know your thoughts in the comments below or over on our Facebook page.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Comments 5
Add your comment
anonymous 14 May, 2012 11:42
I went bankrupt buying the latest and greatest Mac. But it doesn't stop me from drooling all the same. All I can hope for now is that Craigslist will soon have some great deals available from the folks still able to buy these computers.
billfred 14 May, 2012 11:55
As long as the screen doesn't get thicker and heavier like the new iPad...
Peter Hudson 14 May, 2012 12:05
But what I really want is a 27" iMac with a retina display.
anonymous 15 May, 2012 21:42
err Billfred you ACTUALLY noticed the increase in thickness? by golly now you must have been to Specsavers..we are all due the new 4k resolution on tellys so bring on retina before they beat Apple at their own game.
anonymous 20 May, 2012 10:56
I hope it's not going to be a silly price