Should I keep my new 15" MBP-Retina?

[Workin2005]

Originally Posted by NewishMacGuy

This could be ameliorated somewhat by the SDXC slot, which can theoretically provide an additional 2TB.

Very interesting take...Thanks for your perspective. You certainly have more knowledge than me in this area. I think the 256gb of SSD will be enough for me to be able to carry all the things I need around with me while keeping an external storage device for everything else. The external device is small enough to carry in my bag along with my MBP just in case I do need something from it.

I honestly never even thought about the SDXC slot as being used for extra hard drive storage. Is this possible?

[SpitUK]

You can pick up 128Gb SDXC cards now so get one of those and keep it in the slot. You already have 50% extra storage then

It will not be as fast as the internal SSD but will provide good storage for documents etc

[Jare]

I thought I'd give you some perspective from a College point of view where we develop/code using multiple virtual machines (usually 3-4 depending on the class).

I have two computers I switch out daily. One is a Retina Macbook Pro (15") with 16GB ram/256GB SSD. The other is my epic gaming laptop I like to bring with me when the classes I'm in are a little more slack so I can sneak in a few rounds of black ops 2. My computer needs are VERY, VERY high.

Specs on that machine are similar to the Retina MBP: 32GB Ram/180 Intel 520 SSD + 750GB HDD.

Both run nearly identical in terms of performance and I have yet to push the envelope on the Mac. On my Windows machine however, I've pushed it into near 19GB Ram usage doing almost the same tasks as the RMBP. Neither have bottlenecked. Keep in mind I haven't gamed on the RMBP.

Realistically, for YOU I'd say 8GB is MORE then enough. I've never once ran high Ram on the RMBP, and on my gaming laptop I've been able to sustain 3 virtual machines + Black Ops 2 without any hiccups.

[Workin2005]

Originally Posted by SpitUK

You can pick up 128Gb SDXC cards now so get one of those and keep it in the slot. You already have 50% extra storage then

It will not be as fast as the internal SSD but will provide good storage for documents etc

Great to know...thanks!

Originally Posted by Jare

I thought I'd give you some perspective from a College point of view where we develop/code using multiple virtual machines (usually 3-4 depending on the class).

I have two computers I switch out daily. One is a Retina Macbook Pro (15") with 16GB ram/256GB SSD. The other is my epic gaming laptop I like to bring with me when the classes I'm in are a little more slack so I can sneak in a few rounds of black ops 2. My computer needs are VERY, VERY high.

Specs on that machine are similar to the Retina MBP: 32GB Ram/180 Intel 520 SSD + 750GB HDD.

Both run nearly identical in terms of performance and I have yet to push the envelope on the Mac. On my Windows machine however, I've pushed it into near 19GB Ram usage doing almost the same tasks as the RMBP. Neither have bottlenecked. Keep in mind I haven't gamed on the RMBP.

Realistically, for YOU I'd say 8GB is MORE then enough. I've never once ran high Ram on the RMBP, and on my gaming laptop I've been able to sustain 3 virtual machines + Black Ops 2 without any hiccups.

Thanks for the input. I think my minds made up now...I'll be keeping the Retina-MBP.

[SpitUK]

Great

[nygfan80]

I really keeping going over the ram issue in my head over and over again. I am thinking of going with a retina mbp but not sure what size ram I should get. I do play a lot of games. Last night i was editing photos on my current mbp with 8gb of ram and the machine became really hot and checked the activity monitor and only had under a gig of ram left. I do use it as a VM. Do I really need 8gb? Just worried because I used up 7gb last night. Also will I really notice a difference between the 2.3 vs 2.6 processor playing video games? I have had a few instances where a game would get pretty choppy after a while with my 2011.

[Naimfan]

Originally Posted by nygfan80

I really keeping going over the ram issue in my head over and over again. I am thinking of going with a retina mbp but not sure what size ram I should get. I do play a lot of games. Last night i was editing photos on my current mbp with 8gb of ram and the machine became really hot and checked the activity monitor and only had under a gig of ram left. I do use it as a VM. Do I really need 8gb? Just worried because I used up 7gb last night. Also will I really notice a difference between the 2.3 vs 2.6 processor playing video games? I have had a few instances where a game would get pretty choppy after a while with my 2011.

I'd say get the 16 GB model if you're stuck on a rMBP. The reason is that RAM requirements are only going to go up as time moves forward, and you cannot upgrade it at all later.

I doubt you'd see a difference from 2.3 to 2.6.

[Barna Biro]

Originally Posted by Naimfan

The reason is that RAM requirements are only going to go up as time moves forward, and you cannot upgrade it at all later.

Well, that's your opinion... I would have most likely agreed to that a few years ago without much thought, but with nowadays trends, I'm not as sure as you seem to be. Mobile / Tablets have gained a significant market share and the numbers will continue to rise. Companies are currently striving to make stuff lighter, faster and more efficient because of the effects Mobile / Tablets have had on the industry ( they want to remain competitive ). I think this trend will continue for quite a while and RAM requirements - in general - will either not change much or actually decrease ( same for CPU ).

Note: Of course there will still be companies pushing out complex tools that require more RAM, but the majority, IMHO, will try to target Mobiles / Tablets / Web and eventually also redesign their desktop versions so that they remain competitive and reflect the simplicity and speed of the Mobile / Tablet / Web version ( costs might be lower - on the long run - for developing / maintaining newer versions based on the Mobile / Tablet one, than continue with / maintain the old version of the product ). Games on the other hand might need more RAM as they get more complex, but your GPU / CPU will most likely get obsolete a lot faster than you run out of RAM and no amount of RAM will improve crappy frame rates caused by slow GPU / CPU.

My 2 cents.

[Workin2005]

Originally Posted by nygfan80

I really keeping going over the ram issue in my head over and over again. I am thinking of going with a retina mbp but not sure what size ram I should get. I do play a lot of games. Last night i was editing photos on my current mbp with 8gb of ram and the machine became really hot and checked the activity monitor and only had under a gig of ram left. I do use it as a VM. Do I really need 8gb? Just worried because I used up 7gb last night. Also will I really notice a difference between the 2.3 vs 2.6 processor playing video games? I have had a few instances where a game would get pretty choppy after a while with my 2011.

I've decided to keep my base model 15' retina MBP with 8gb Ram and, for my purposes, I think it will be more than enough. That said, paying the extra $200 for double the amount of Ram isn't a bad investment and had I paid full price for my base model (see my story in the first post of this thread), I'd choose to add the extra Ram.

The other side to that coin is that by the time 8gb Ram is obsolete, it will most likely be time for a new computer so why waist the money now. I mean, 8gb Ram should be enough for a few years. Look at the new retina 13' MBP. It's only offered with a MAX of 8gb Ram...16 isn't even an option, so your most likely going to be just fine with 8gb and not paying the extra money now. Save it for a new computer in a few years.

Keep in mind I'm NO expert, as this thread reveals, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[austinguy23]

Often stores don't allow returns for pre-purchased items.