Report: 13-inch Retina Macbook Pro to Launch on October 23, Alongside iPad Mini

Backing up long-time suspicious that a 13-inch version of the Retina MacBook Pro would launch this fall, 9to5Mac reports that the device will indeed be launched at Apple’s October 23rd event, alongside the iPad Mini.

9to5Mac:

Alongside the smaller iPad, Apple will debut a 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display, according to a consistently reliable source at a high-profile U.S. retailer.

This new 13-inch MacBook Pro with a Retina Display is said to pick up the thinner and lighter enclosure of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display that was released in June.

The 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro will reportedly be sold in two configurations, with varying processor speeds and built-in storage, and are expected to become available the same day that they are introduced. According to the report, the device will bear a code name of D1, compared to the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro, which bears a code name of D2.

A 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro has been predicted to arrive soon by a number of credible sources, most notably a prediction made by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (1, 2), who’s track record with predicting future Apple product releases is exceptional.

It appears that we’ll have a lot to look forward to from Apple’s October 23 event. Are you ready?!

Update: AllThingsD confirms October 23 launch:

The smaller iPad may be the star of Apple’s as of yetunannounced October 23rd invitation-only event, but it will have an impressive supporting cast.

Sources familiar with Apple’s plans tell AllThingsDthat the company plans to unveil a smaller version of its MacBook Pro with Retina Display as well. News of Apple’s plans to show off the device next week was first reported by 9to5Mac.

The machine, a 13-inch version of the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display that debuted in June, will feature the same thin chassis, all-Flash storage and a 2,560-by-1,600 pixel density display comparable to the 2880-by-1800 pixel of its predecessor, sources say. No word yet on price, though it will obviously be a bit less than $2,199 base-line price of the 15-incher.

J. Glenn Künzler

Glenn is Managing Editor at MacTrast, and has been using a Mac since he bought his first MacBook Pro in 2006. He lives in a small town in Utah, enjoys bacon more than you can possibly imagine, and is severely addicted to pie.