Notebookcheck Logo

Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15 inch 2013-10

Specifications

Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15 inch 2013-10
Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15 inch 2013-10 (MacBook Pro 15 inch Series)
Processor
Intel Core i7-4850HQ 4 x 2.3 - 3.5 GHz (Intel Core i7)
Graphics adapter
NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M - 2048 MB VRAM, Core: 926 MHz, Memory: 1254 MHz, GDDR5, nvlddmkm 9.18.13.3788 (ForceWare 337.88), Switchable graphics under Mac OS Mavericks
Memory
16 GB 
, DDR3L 1600MHz Dual Channel
Display
15.40 inch 16:10, 2880 x 1800 pixel, Apple APPA022, IPS, glossy: yes
Mainboard
Intel HM87 (Lynx Point)
Storage
Apple SSD SM0512F, 512 GB 
Soundcard
Intel Lynx Point PCH - High Definition Audio Controller
Connections
2 USB 3.0 / 3.1 Gen1, 2 Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI, Audio Connections: combined stereo jack, Card Reader: SDXC, Sensors: Brightness sensor
Networking
Broadcom 802.11ac (a/b/g/n = Wi-Fi 4/ac = Wi-Fi 5/)
Size
height x width x depth (in mm): 18 x 359 x 247 ( = 0.71 x 14.13 x 9.72 in)
Battery
84 Wh Lithium-Polymer
Operating System
Apple OS X 10.9 Mavericks
Camera
Webcam: 720p
Additional features
Speakers: Stereo speakers, Keyboard: Chiclet, Keyboard Light: yes, Extension for power supply, Microfiber cloth, 12 Months Warranty
Weight
2.012 kg ( = 70.97 oz / 4.44 pounds) ( = 0 oz / 0 pounds)
Price
2600 Euro

 

Pricecompare

Average Score: 89.21% - very good
Average of 19 scores (from 28 reviews)
price: 60%, performance: 90%, features: 85%, display: 89% mobility: 87%, workmanship: 96%, ergonomy: 91%, emissions: 90%

Reviews for the Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15 inch 2013-10

89% Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15 Late 2013 Notebook Review | Notebookcheck
All quiet on the western front. Apple introduced its reworked 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina last autumn. Although the entry-level price dropped a bit, we still expect a maximum amount of quality and performance for more than 2,000 Euros (~$2722).
100% More of the Same Excellence
Source: Digital Versus English Archive.org version
Last week we reviewed the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and now we're looking at the 15-inch. This year's MacBook Pro 15" is one of the best laptops we've reviewed for this form factor. Anyone who loves quality images will love this computer. Our only qualm with it is the limited number of ports. Everything else is great... if not perfect.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 12/20/2013
Rating: Total score: 100%
80% Apple 2013 MacBook Pro 15 with Retina Display
Source: Comp Reviews English Archive.org version
Apple has taken one of the best 15-inch laptops on the market and improved upon it by making a number of internal changes while keeping the excellent external design the same. The new Haswell based processor doesn't give it a huge boost in performance but gives it even more running time such that people can get a full performance laptop that runs as long as an ultrabook.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 12/04/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%
90% 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display (2013) review
Source: Trusted Reviews English Archive.org version
Is the 15-inch MacBook Pro a powerful yet surprisingly portable laptop? Yes. Does it last much longer than any other laptop in its class? Yes. But does that mean you should buy one? In the right circumstances, yes, but it’s not a simple argument. We love the design, the battery life and the screen… what’s not to love about the screen? But then the graphics performance is mediocre for the money you’re spending, and that’s with the Intel Iris Pro graphics and dedicated graphics working together -- cheaper version just have the Intel variety. This doesn’t make it a great desktop replacement if you want to play games, but that isn’t such a big deal if you’re more interested in doing video and graphics work using GPU acceleration and need the portability.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/29/2013
Rating: Total score: 90% price: 50% performance: 80% features: 100% display: 90% mobility: 90% workmanship: 100% emissions: 90%
Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro
Source: BCW - Business Computing World English Archive.org version
The 15-inch MacBook Pro is very expensive and, of course, significantly larger and heavier than its 13-inch counterpart, so business travellers who value portability above all else will prefer the slimline MacBook Air or a Windows Ultrabook. The laptop’s poor upgrade and service options are also short-sighted limitations.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/08/2013
80% MacBook Pro Retina 2013 review
Source: T3 English Archive.org version
In the case of the 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina it's clearly business as usual for Apple, yes the reductions in size are impressive, but when you take into account the fact that pricing for 15-inch model starts at £1,699 this is clearly a product that will be either a treat for some, or a necessary expense for others. The 13-inch model, however, is where things begin to get really interesting. In the past, the original 13-inch MacBook Pro Retina would have cost you £1,449 for the 128GB model, and in return you paid for something that was cutting edge.
Comparison, online available, Medium, Date: 11/08/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%
80% Apple MacBook Pro 15in w/Retina display review
Source: It Pro English Archive.org version
Apple's MacBook Pro laptop range combines high performance with long-lasting battery life, and the latest model continues this trend. This is one of the best large-screen laptops on the market. Battery life, responsiveness, display quality and versatility are unmatched. However, the high-price and limited serviceability prevent this from getting a wholehearted recommendation.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/05/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%
90% 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro review: A tale of two laptops
Source: PC World English Archive.org version
Much improved battery life and fast internal storage are both welcome improvements to this latest iteration of the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro. The $1999 2.0GHz MacBook Pro’s lack of discrete graphics took a toll on its Cinebench and 3D game performance, but it’s a much faster system than the high-end 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro. The $2599 2.3GHz Retina MacBook Pro was faster in just about every way than the system it replaces and would be a great fit for owners of older Mac portables looking for a high-performance laptop.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/31/2013
Rating: Total score: 90%
100% Apple MacBook Pro With Retina Display
Source: Computer Shopper English Archive.org version
It's fair to say that the new MacBook Pro offers little in the way of surprises. The 15-inch model is the same size and weight as the 2012 model, with the same chassis and port selection—except for the step up to Thunderbolt 2. The PCIe-based flash storage trims a noticeable few seconds off boot time and should produce quicker app launches as well.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/31/2013
Rating: Total score: 100%
MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina Review (late 2013)
Source: Slashgear English Archive.org version
Mac users have never had it so good. The MacBook Air’s Haswell update earlier this year gave the ultraportable the longevity it deserved, with twelve hours of runtime enough to satisfy even the most demanding road-warrior. At the time, only the thought of what Haswell could do for the MacBook Pro gave us pause for flexing our credit cards.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 10/26/2013
100% Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (2013)
Source: PC Mag English Archive.org version
The Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch (2013) earns its title as one of the best high-end desktop replacement laptops you can buy. It has the power of a desktop Mac, and the battery life to carry you through a full workday and beyond. The screen resolution is higher than most all-in-one desktop PCs and desktop replacement laptops. The MacBook Pro 15-inch compares well to laptops ranging in price from $1,400 to high powered systems that run over $2,700. Systems like the Toshiba Kirabook and the Razer Blade (2013) come in at about the same $2,000 price point ad the MacBook Pro 15-inch.
Single Review, online available, Very Short, Date: 10/25/2013
Rating: Total score: 100%
85% Apple's high-end laptop gets better battery life and a lower price
Source: CNet English Archive.org version
Apple's 15-inch MacBook Pro, recently updated to current-generation Intel CPUs, retains its position as a favorite premium laptop for power-users. The slimmer body and higher-res screen of the original Retina MacBook Pro was a revolutionary leap. This revamp adds modest internal upgrades for modest improvements, but price cuts to both the 13-inch and 15-inch models sweeten the deal.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/25/2013
Rating: Total score: 85% performance: 90% mobility: 90%
80% Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina
Source: Laptop Mag English Archive.org version
At $2,599 for our configuration ($1,999 to start), the 15-inch MacBook Pro represents a serious investment, but it also delivers a serious dose of power and endurance in a portable design. The new Retina MacBook Pro offers very fast quad-core performance paired with some of the fastest flash storage around and (optional) discrete graphics, making quick work of pretty much any task.
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 10/23/2013
Rating: Total score: 80%

Foreign Reviews

Apple MacBook Pro 15,4" Retina Display Core i7 2,3 GHz 512 GB SSD (2013)
Source: Mac & i - Heft 1/2014 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/19/2014
Apple MacBook Pro 15,4" 2,0 GHz 256 GB SSD Retina Display (2013)
Source: Mac & i - Heft 1/2014 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/16/2014
Apple MacBook Pro
Source: Mac Easy - Heft 1/2014 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 01/01/2014
93% Apple MacBook Pro 15,4" Core i7 2,3 GHz 512 GB SSD Retina Display (2013)
Source: Mac Welt - Heft 1/2014 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 12/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 93%
96% Apple MacBook Pro 15,4" Core i7 2,3 GHz 512 GB SSD Retina Display (2013)
Source: Mac Life - Heft 1/14 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 12/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 96%
88% Apple MacBook Pro 15,4" 2,0 GHz 256 GB SSD Retina Display (2013)
Source: Computerbild - Heft 25/2013 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 12/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 88%
93% Macbook Pro 15" Retina Top-Modell
Source: Mac Welt German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/25/2013
Rating: Total score: 93% performance: 94% features: 92% ergonomy: 95%
89% Helleres Display, starke Laufzeit
Source: Chip.de German DE→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 11/12/2013
Rating: Total score: 89% price: 69% performance: 95% features: 83% display: 88% mobility: 92% ergonomy: 85%
Apple MacBook Pro Retina (Herbst 2013)
Source: c't German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 11/01/2013
82% Apple MacBook Pro 15,4" 2,0 GHz 256 GB SSD Retina Display (2013)
Source: Mac Welt - Heft 12/2013 German
Single Review, , Length Unknown, Date: 11/01/2013
Rating: Total score: 82%
Irisierend – Apple MacBook Pro 15 Zoll auf dem Prüfstand
Source: Notebookjournal German DE→EN Archive.org version
Negative: no improvements compared to predecessor
Single Review, online available, Long, Date: 11/28/2013
80% Apple MacBook Pro 15" Retina (2013)
Source: CNet France French FR→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 03/12/2014
Rating: Total score: 80%
Тест нового MacBook Pro 15: совмещая полезное с приятным
Source: Zoom RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Perfect performance for daily work; good IPS display; good autonomy.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 08/29/2014
Предварительный обзор 15-дюймового Apple MacBook Pro with Retina Display late 2013
Source: 3DNews.ru RU→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Retina display; good performance; long battery life. Negative: High price.
Single Review, online available, Short, Date: 10/29/2013
15英寸版新rMBP评测:性能提升明显
Source: enet.com.cn zh-CN→EN Archive.org version
Positive: Excellent overall performance; hard disk speed boost; outstanding display; long battery life. Negative: Noisy fan; Reflective screen; slightly hot.
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 09/24/2013
100% Test: Apple Macbook Pro
Source: Dinside NO→EN Archive.org version
Single Review, online available, Medium, Date: 01/16/2014
Rating: Total score: 100%

Comment

Series:

The Retina display is a display which has high enough pixel density that the human retina can’t distinguish individual pixels and was first introduced as a cutting edge technology together with the iPhone 4. Thanks to the retina display, the iPhone 4 was called "Best device in its class" by The Wall Street Journal, and "Best smartphone on the market" by Engadget. The MacBook Pro with Retina display introduced at the WWDC in San Francisco in June 2012 is a separate product line, independent of the original MacBook Pro and should continue the success of the iPhone.

Apart from just the retina display, this new laptop also features a new design similar to that of the MacBook Air, but without Super Drive as well as Ethernet and FireWire 800 ports. Unlike the original MacBook Pro series with standard hard drive, it includes a Solid State Drive. In short, every technological advantage of Apple are concentrated on this new MacBook Pro with Retina display, from the amazing display found in the iPhone, iPad to robust system performance of the MacBook Pro as well as the portability, design and flash storage - this laptop has it all.

In particular the retina display is the sharpest computer display and outclasses every other laptop or computer display by far at the time of its introduction. It is that important that Apple even decided to  call this laptop "MacBook Pro with retina display". In fact, the display alone outweighs the biggest disadvantage of the new MacBook Pro, the price – it's Apple we are talking about. If you can afford the steep entry price, this is the most amazing laptop money can buy.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M: Upper mid-range graphics card of the GeForce GT 700M series. Based on the Kepler architecture and manufactured by TSMC in a 28nm process.

Modern games should be playable with these graphics cards at low settings and resolutions. Casual gamers may be happy with these cards.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Graphics Cards and the corresponding Benchmark List.


Intel Core i7: The Intel Core i7 for laptops is based on the LG1156 Core i5/i7 CPU for desktops. The base clock speed of the CPUs is relatively low, but because of a huge Turbo mode, the cores can dynamically overclock to up to 3.2 GHz (920XM). Therefore, the CPU can be as fast as high clocked dual-core CPUs (using single threaded applications) but still offer the advantage of 4 cores. Because of the large TDP of 45 W / 55 W, the CPU is only intended for large laptops.  


4850HQ:

Haswell-based quad-core processor clocked at 2.3 GHz with Turbo Boost support up to 3.5 GHz. Offers an integrated Iris Pro Graphics 5200 GPU and a dual-channel DDR3 memory controller.

» Further information can be found in our Comparison of Mobile Processsors.


15.40":

15-inch display variants are the standard and are used for more than half of all laptops.

The reason for the popularity of mid-sized displays is that this size is reasonably easy on the eyes, often allows high resolutions and thus offers rich details on the screen, yet does not consume too much power and the devices can still be reasonably compact - simply the standard compromise.

» To find out how fine a display is, see our DPI List.


Apple: Apple is a US company founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Headquartered in Cupertino, California, the company is known for its innovative products such as the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, and manufactures computers and consumer electronics as well as operating systems and application software. Apple is also a leading provider of software and services such as the App Store, iTunes and iCloud.

Apple has earned a reputation as a company that focuses on design and ease of use. As for their notebooks, they are mostly in the high-priced segment, have their own operating system, but also run Windows on the newer Macbooks.

Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world and has a loyal following of customers and fans. The company also has a strong presence in the entertainment industry, with services like Apple Music and Apple TV+. In 2023, Apple had an approximate 8% market share of global PC sales, ranking it 4th after Lenovo, HP, and Dell.


89.21%: There are not very many models that are rated better. Most of the assessments are in percentage ranges below that. The tested product is not considered perfect, but the sources give a clear purchase recommendation.


» Further information can be found in our Notebook Purchase Guide.

 

Please share our article, every link counts!

Devices from a different Manufacturer and/or with a different CPU

Dell XPS 15-9530-9002
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4712HQ
Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15 inch Mid 2014
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4870HQ
Acer Aspire V5-573PG-9610
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4500U
Dell XPS 15-9530
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4702HQ
Dell XPS 15 Platinum
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4702HQ
Acer Aspire V7-582PG-54208G25TII
GeForce GT 750M, Core i5 4200U
Acer Aspire R7-571G-7353121Tass
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 3537U
Eurocom Electra
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700MQ
Dell XPS 15 (Late 2013)
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4702HQ
Asus N550JV-CN211D
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700HQ
Acer Aspire V7-582PG-74508G52tkk
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4500U
Acer Aspire V7-582PG-7450121.02Ttkk
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4500U
Acer Aspire V5-572G-73538G50akk
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 3537U
Acer Aspire V5-573PG-542012Taii
GeForce GT 750M, Core i5 4200U
Acer Aspire R7-571G-53338G1Tass
GeForce GT 750M, Core i5 3337U
Acer Aspire V5-573G-54208G50aii
GeForce GT 750M, Core i5 4200U
Acer Aspire V5-572G-53338G50akk
GeForce GT 750M, Core i5 3337U

Devices with the same GPU and/or Screen Size

Asus N56VV-S4069H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 3630QM, 2.7 kg
HP Envy 15-j151sr
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4702MQ, 2.6 kg
Asus N56VV-S4013H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i5 3230M, 3.2 kg
MSI GE60-i750M245FD
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700MQ, 2.6 kg
Dell Inspiron 15-7537
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4500U, 2.6 kg
Asus N550JV-CN253H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700HQ, 2.6 kg
Asus N550JV-CN182H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700HQ, 2.6 kg
Asus N550JV-DB72T
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4702HQ, 2.7 kg
Asus N550JV-CM067H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700MQ, 2.7 kg
Asus N550JV-CN071H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700HQ, 2.7 kg
Asus N550JV-CN027H
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700MQ, 2.7 kg
Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p-59367273
GeForce GT 750M, Core i7 4700MQ, 2.7 kg
Current Prices
Stefan Hinum, 2013-10-28 (Update: 2013-10-28)