13-Inch Retina MacBook Pro to Launch Alongside iPad Mini in October

Apple claims that Apple will debut the long-rumored 13" Retina MacBook Pro alongside the iPad Mini later this month.

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro will be sold in two configurations, with differing processors and storage, and will be available for purchase soon after introduction. Like with the 15-inch MacBook Pro lines, the 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display will be sold (at a higher price) in addition to the current non-Retina display model.

The site typically sources this information from early part numbers, suggesting that two higher priced configurations have already appeared in Apple's systems.


The new models line up with analyst Ming-Chi Kuo's predictions of a separate Retina display lineup that will sell alongside the existing MacBook Pro line.

Apple introduced the 15" Retina MacBook Pro in June, but retained the existing 15" MacBook Pro as well. Apple appears to be continuing this pattern by providing two 13" MacBook Pros -- one with a Retina display and one without.

The iPad mini event is reportedly scheduled for October 23rd.

Apple to Launch New Mac Mini at Next Week's Media Event?

Apple is reporting that Apple will announce a new version of the Mac Mini at next week's rumored media event, alongside the 13" Retina MacBook Pro and the iPad mini.

These new Mac minis are said to begin shipping immediately after announcement. Apple last redesigned the Mac mini with a unibody aluminum enclosure in 2010, and last updated the computer with faster processors last summer. These current Mac minis are on last-generation chipsets and lack USB 3.0, so we should be seeing those components updated in these new models.

According to the report, the Minis will come in similar configurations to current Mini models, two standard versions and a third setup that runs Mountain Lion Server.

The Mac Mini is overdue for an update; the last refresh occurred in July 2011, some 450 days ago.