1080, 1200, and 1440 are all of course smaller than the 1880 vertical resolution on the 15” MBP.
But it’s not just the resolution, it’s that Apple made such a high resolution usable via 2x rendering, and did so immediately for the entire system and all applications.
They are. But 1440 on a 12" laptop (like the Sony Vaio) competed well.
You can also get a 4K UHD Dell at 13".
> In fact, the only comparable laptop display in existence today would probably be the Dell XPS 17" UHD+
> But it’s not just the resolution
It was, above. Now it's the resolution and the ecosystem. "Apple did it first". "No they didn't." "Well, they were the first to do it right" ( for varying definitions of "right").
I have no particular horse in the game. In fact, my entire home ecosystem from Mac Pro to MBP to iPad, iPhone, Watch would more lean me in one particular direction, but ...
But it’s not just the resolution, it’s that Apple made such a high resolution usable via 2x rendering, and did so immediately for the entire system and all applications.