Looking to pay less for a Retina MacBook Pro? eBay is a great place to find second hand models:
Launched in 2012, the MacBook Pro with Retina display is an ultra-slim, all-flash storage notebook which is aimed at the professional market. It comes in two screen sizes, a 13-inch which starts at £1,449.00, and a 15-inch which starts at £1,699.00.
The stand out feature of the machine is the Retina technology, which allows for such high resolution displays that it’s pretty much impossible for the human eye to discern individual pixels. The 13-inch version has a 227ppi 2560 x 1600 resolution screen, while the 15-inch has a 227ppi 2880 x 1800 screen.
Powered by Intel’s latest Core i5 and i7 processors, the MacBook Pro with Retina display is more than equipped to handle strenuous tasks without any problems. Both screen sizes have integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000, though the 15-inch version also has an NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB of memory.
It ships with 8GB RAM as standard, however 16GB is available as a build-to-order option on the 15-inch model. Its flash-based storage offers up to 4 times the speed of traditional spinning hard drives – the 13-inch ships with 128GB, while the 15-inch has 256GB. Bigger capacities are also available as build-to-order options.
In terms of connectivity, the MacBook Pro with Retina display has two Thunderbolt ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and one HDMI port. Apple says to expect up to 7 hours from the battery, but that will obviously vary depending on use.
As impressive as the MacBook Pro with Retina display is, there are a few things that could be considered negatives for some users. Because the RAM is soldered to the motherboard, it can’t be upgraded at later date – so you are stuck with what you order with the machine. You won’t find any FireWire and Ethernet ports – though Thunderbolt adaptors are available, and it has a smaller MagSafe 2 connector, meaning existing chargers will also require an adaptor.
So, while the MacBook Pro with Retina display is a very capable machine, and has earned rave reviews, both the price and the lack of expandability mean it’s not for everyone.
Alternatives to the MacBook Pro with Retina display include Apple’s non-Retina MacBook Pro models, or if portability is key, the MacBook Air.
Depending on the screen size and other specifications, you should expect to pay between £1000 and £1500 for a used MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Before you place a bid, follow these tips to improve your chances of finding a great used MacBook Pro at a great price: