Get the rMB. You'll love it. I haven't missed my ports and have had no issues with processing power.
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What would you do? (MB vs. rMBP 13)
- Thread starter Lewis841
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Looking forward to hearing what you end up with. I've been going back & forth between the same Macs, and still undecided myself.
Is this discount still available? Which coupons/codes did you use? For that price, I would totally take the plunge...
Thanks!
You can usually get the best buy coupon at usps in the "movers" packet, just have to ask them for it. I actually don't have a usps that close to me so I bought the coupon from eBay for a couple dollars. Got the rMBP 256gb For 1400 including tax
Unfortunately no. It lasted maybe 3 days at Best Buy. If I had the 10% movers coupon at the time it would've been $1099 - 10% or about $990 for a 13 rMBP. Fortunately, I heard about the mover's coupon before I bought the rMP. One of them is going back next week. Just keep checking Best Buy for the sales and keep one of the mover's coupons on hand just in case. Good luck!
I highly doubt the Pro will lose ports etc. The rMB is a different line for a different customer.
If you think a rMBP is not portable you are very much in the Apple fan club. Try transporting my windows machine.
Sure have both. The rMB is great. I want one but love my Pro and can't justify both but i'm trying to.
If you think a rMBP is not portable you are very much in the Apple fan club. Try transporting my windows machine.
Sure have both. The rMB is great. I want one but love my Pro and can't justify both but i'm trying to.
zamboni, curious what you end up with. i am in the same boat. trying out a 13 rMBP and the rMB. My due date is Thursday next week. Man, i thought I was set with the rMBP and then I spend more time with the rMB over the weekend and I keep going back to rMB. On paper the rMBP should be a no brainer, but man am i having problems making a decision :-(
I think we're having the same concerns. For $1099, the rMBP should be a no brainer...at least on paper. However, in practical, everyday use the rMB seems to be holding its own. The smaller footprint, speakers and keyboard/trackpad is starting to outweigh the obvious increased power of the rMBP. There is no doubt that the rMBP is faster and can handle more CPU intensive tasks, but for what I am primarily using it for day to day, the rMB will probably work just fine. I'm taking the rMB on a week long trip and I'll see how it holds out under normal use.
I always want to get the best bang for my buck and that usually means a superior machine with the best CPU, the best dispay, the most memory and the fastest and largest HD; however, in this case I may favor the more portable size and speakers with "enough" horsepower for me to get real work done. Plus the rMB has a 256GB HD.
I'll let you know what I settle on in a few days.
Hi all,
I thought I would ask for some advice, as this is clearly the best place to ask; I hope you don't mind.
I have a 1.3 256gb MB on order (about 3 weeks away) and I think the it's size is perfect. But I'm not the richest of people so I want to buy something that has an element of future-proofing to it. So, my questions:
1) Will the 1.3 struggle to play .MKV files or other 1080p film files?
2) Does the 1.3 really lag or is it just the UI issues currently?
3) I'm considering cancelling and instead ordering the rMBP 13 as there are no issues with processor performance and, hopefully, I'd get 4+ years out of it at least. How many years do you think we will be able to get out of the new MB?
4) Is the rMBP 13 easily portable? Do people carry it around and use it in coffee shops (I tend to see just airs)?
Sorry to ask, but I know you will all have far better experience on this than me. FYI - this will be my first Apple computer.
As long as the rMB may last you, the rMBP will last longer because:
1) it is faster in every way
2) more ports, so more options to expand. For instance, it supports 2 4k monitors at 60 hz.
I chose the rMB over the rMBP13
So I got back from my week long business trip and hesitantly returned the rMBP13 today. I say "hesitantly" because even thought I decided to keep the rMB...it was a hard choice. You could argue that maybe a road trip isn't a fair environment to compare the devices on since the rMB's smaller footprint and lighter weight favor a more mobile environment. But there was a little more to my decision.
First, the smaller profile allowed me to use my laptop on the increasingly smaller tray tables that are on most airplanes these days. The awesome screen quality made watching movies and videos pleasant on the long trips. I usually use my iPhone 6 or iPad Mini w/retina display because of the space available, but not this time. Also, I was able to use it as a laptop with the wifi that was available on the flight and the battery life, in general, was very good. I used MS Word, Mail, some internet surfing while playing a full screen movie in the background. I would just swipe between desktops when it got to the part of the movie that I actually wanted to see. This would've been harder to do on the rMBP13 because of the bigger size. Also, because of the lighter weight it was much easier to carry it around in my backpack all day. I know its only a 1.5 pound difference, but it is definitely noticeable.
In the hotel room, it was easier to handle as well. I did most of my work in front of the TV sitting on the sofa or laying in bed. If I sat at the desk the whole time then it would be a wash on which was better, but since this laptop was so small I just wanted to have it with me everywhere.
In all situations during my trip, it handled everything I did. Whether it was just working on MS Office documents, checking email, surfing the web, watching You Tube videos and iTunes media...it was great. When traveling on airplanes I usually use my Beats Studio Wireless (bluetooth) headphones, but in the hotel room I used the laptop speakers and they easily are too loud for the whole room and the sound quality is great. I did not have any problem with battery life and when I checked the level it was always more than what I thought it should have. To save backpack weight, I may just pack the charger in my luggage from now on.
I know I'm giving up some processing power and about 1.3 inches of screen real estate, but I'm gaining a much more portable device and an extra 128GBs of SSD space. I know the specs on paper show that this machine is slower than machines from a few years ago, but in real world usage, this rMB meets all of my needs.
So I got back from my week long business trip and hesitantly returned the rMBP13 today. I say "hesitantly" because even thought I decided to keep the rMB...it was a hard choice. You could argue that maybe a road trip isn't a fair environment to compare the devices on since the rMB's smaller footprint and lighter weight favor a more mobile environment. But there was a little more to my decision.
First, the smaller profile allowed me to use my laptop on the increasingly smaller tray tables that are on most airplanes these days. The awesome screen quality made watching movies and videos pleasant on the long trips. I usually use my iPhone 6 or iPad Mini w/retina display because of the space available, but not this time. Also, I was able to use it as a laptop with the wifi that was available on the flight and the battery life, in general, was very good. I used MS Word, Mail, some internet surfing while playing a full screen movie in the background. I would just swipe between desktops when it got to the part of the movie that I actually wanted to see. This would've been harder to do on the rMBP13 because of the bigger size. Also, because of the lighter weight it was much easier to carry it around in my backpack all day. I know its only a 1.5 pound difference, but it is definitely noticeable.
In the hotel room, it was easier to handle as well. I did most of my work in front of the TV sitting on the sofa or laying in bed. If I sat at the desk the whole time then it would be a wash on which was better, but since this laptop was so small I just wanted to have it with me everywhere.
In all situations during my trip, it handled everything I did. Whether it was just working on MS Office documents, checking email, surfing the web, watching You Tube videos and iTunes media...it was great. When traveling on airplanes I usually use my Beats Studio Wireless (bluetooth) headphones, but in the hotel room I used the laptop speakers and they easily are too loud for the whole room and the sound quality is great. I did not have any problem with battery life and when I checked the level it was always more than what I thought it should have. To save backpack weight, I may just pack the charger in my luggage from now on.
I know I'm giving up some processing power and about 1.3 inches of screen real estate, but I'm gaining a much more portable device and an extra 128GBs of SSD space. I know the specs on paper show that this machine is slower than machines from a few years ago, but in real world usage, this rMB meets all of my needs.
If you travel a lot between customers on a daily basis and work many hours - YES low weight and a small form factor is important as you also carry other stuff with you.If you think a rMBP is not portable you are very much in the Apple fan club. Try transporting my windows machine.
Even if I'm in good shape and strong (visit the gym on a regular basis) - I prefer looking good when I arrive to meetings. Not loaded with big briefcases and heavy backpacks.
First impression lasts...
And you save a LOT of time at the airport avoiding checking in/picking up a luggage!!!
As OP, just thought I'd update everyone that I went with a rMB and couldn't be happier!
I still don't think it's as future proof as the rMBP (clearly) but I think that I made the right choice due to 1) As it's apple the residuals will be comparatively better than a non-apple machine in 2/3 years and 2) I'll use it more during that period of time due to it's size than I would the rMBP.
I still don't think it's as future proof as the rMBP (clearly) but I think that I made the right choice due to 1) As it's apple the residuals will be comparatively better than a non-apple machine in 2/3 years and 2) I'll use it more during that period of time due to it's size than I would the rMBP.
The display kills it for many, especially those dealing or reading a lot of documentation.
Q-6
