Why you should buy the 2012 MacBook Pro in 2016.

Apple is apparently phasing out the old 13-inch MacBook Pro without Retina Display from its shops over in the US, most likely preparing the ground for the refreshed model to hit shelves later this year.

This is according to Apple Insider, which received a tip from an unnamed source who said that while the old 13-inch MacBook Pro was still in stock across the majority of Apple stores, outlets were no longer putting the device on display for punters to try out.

The 12-inch MacBook pro without Retina display was launched way back in 2012 and comes with a Intel Core i5 'Ivy Bridge' processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD and integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000. Lets compare this to the cheapest 13-inch Retina MacBook Pro on offer.

Firstly, it comes with a Retina display, with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 that equates to 227 pixels per inch (as compared to the 167ppi display of the 2012 MacBook pro). In addition, it offers an Intel Core i5 'Broadwell' processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB flash storage and integrated Intel Iris 6100 graphics.

So, the display is much better, it comes with twice the amount of RAM, flash storage as compared to an old 5,000rpm hard-drive and better graphics. So why should you buy the non retina 2012 MacBook pro over the base Retina model?

Well, there are several reasons.

Firstly, the price. While there is not that much of a price difference in the official MRP's of the product, with the 2012 model at Rs 89,990 and the newer Retina version at Rs 1,06,990, the street price is a different story. On Amazon India, the 2012 MacBook Pro is available currently for Rs 59,239 while the entry-level 13-inch Retina model is going for Rs 89,994. That's a difference of a whopping thirty thousand rupees.

Secondly, it is the only MacBook Pro available currently with a DVD drive, which is still important to some users. It also has an ethernet ports and a FireWire 800 port, and doesn't need any finicky adapters like the latest Retina MacBook Pros.

Thirdly, it has battery notification LED's on the left edge, next to the headphone jack. This is an insanely useful feature, and allows you to check your battery level at the push of a button, without even having to open the Lid of the MacBook Pro.

Lastly, and this is the kicker, is the fact that this was the last MacBook Pro that Apple made which was upgradable. You can change the HDD and the RAM without voiding the warranty. Thus you can turn the MacBook Pro 2012, with it's middling 2012 specifications into a laptop that can easily rival any 2016 competition for a few thousand bucks.

Let's do the math here. a 256GB SSD costs around 5,000 rupees on e-commerce websites and 8GB of Mac compatible RAM is available for around 3,000 bucks. So for just 11,000 rupees, you can spec your 2012 MacBook Pro with a 256GB SSD and 16GB(!) of RAM.

Whats even more interesting is that by ordering a HDD caddy from Amazon India, you can replace the DVD drive of the MacBook Pro, and insert the old 500GB HDD (or even another SSD in raid configuration!) in it's place.

My current 2012 MacBook Pro has a 500GB Kingston SSD, the old 500GB HDD and 16GB of RAM, for a grand total of just 80,000 rupees.

ISRO begins countdown for launch of 20 satellites.

  The 48-hour countdown for the launch of India's Cartosat-2 series and 19 other satellites slated for Wednesday, began on Monday morning, the Indian space agency said.

According to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), on Wednesday at 9.25 am, Indian rocket Polar satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will lift off from the rocket port at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh with 20 satellites.

The rocket's main cargo will be India's 725.5 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for earth observation.
The other 19 satellites weighing totally around 560 kg are from US, Canada, Germany and Indonesia as well as one satellite each from Chennai's Sathyabama University and College of Engineering, Pune.

The rocket will blast off from the second launch pad with a total payload of 1,288 kg.
The whole mission will get over in around 26 minutes.
The images sent by Cartosat satellite will be useful for cartographic, urban, rural, coastal land use, water distribution and other applications.

On the other hand, the 1.5 kg Sathyabamasat from Sathyabama University will collect data on green house gases while the 1 kg Swayam satellite from College of Engineering, Pune will provide point-to-point messaging services to the HAM radio community.
Wednesday's mission will be the first time the ISRO will be launching more the 10 satellites with a single rocket.
In 2008, the ISRO had launched 10 satellites with the PSLV rocket.

Apple stores get green signal in India.

It seems Apple CEO Tim Cook's India visit didn't go in vain. Decks have cleared for the setting up of Apple stores in India with the government announcing sweeping reforms to rules on foreign direct investment.
Apple is expected to be a beneficiary of a three-year relaxation India is introducing on local sourcing norms with an extension of up to five years possible if it can be proven that products are "state of the art".

Apple's plans to open stores in the country had suffered a setback as the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), under the finance ministry, red-flagged a panel's recommendation to relax the mandatory local sourcing norm for the Cupertino-based company to sell its products through the single-brand retail window.

Apple Stores in India: Will commerce ministry come to company's rescue?
The panel comprising representatives from departments of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) and information technology had recommended a waiver from the 30% sourcing norm on the ground that Apple's products were "cutting-edge", which allows for doing away with the domestic procurement rule.
So far, the government allowed 100% FDI in the segment but companies are required to seek approval if overseas holding exceeds 49%.

However, late last month, commerce & industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman had hinted at a review saying her ministry will discuss the issue with the finance ministry.
Sources had told TOI that the concern over the finance ministry's proposal has been flagged at the highest level and there has been a suggestion that the issue should be discussed at the level of officers.
Apple, on its part, had reportedly said that it won't set up company-owned stores in India if the government doesn't exempt it from sourcing materials locally.
The reports accrued this to the fact that Apple has no immediate plans to manufacture devices in India or buy parts from vendors in the country.
Apple Stores in India: Government may relax rules
During his recent visit to the country, Apple CEO Cook said that opening its own stores in India is a key element of the vision for what he sees as one of the most important markets for the iPhone maker in terms of setting benchmarks for sales and service.
Other single-brand retailers like furniture giant IKEA are also expected to benefit.
In other changes, India allowed 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in civil aviation, following on from last week's launch of a new policy that lowered barriers to entry for airlines that want to fly international routes.
The government also allowed foreign companies to own up to 74% in 'brownfield' pharmaceuticals projects without prior government approval. India already allows 100% ownership of greenfield pharma business.