Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
13 inch Retina MacBook Pro owners
- Thread starter vikpt
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Sorry to say that but who does actually upgrade anything rather than the CPU on Classic Macbooks?
Configuring cMBP to baseline of rMBP 13 leads to 1499 vs 1699 (no discounts). I think the screen is definitely worth 200 and have been waiting for apple to remove the damn optical drive for a while (used to have a hdd/ssd combo)
As I said, only if you configure it that way from Apple, which is dumb.
Upgrading it yourself maintains the price differential I have quoted.
I find it incredibly sad that so many people have so much of their self-worth wrapped up in defending a laptop computer. If you're happy with it, run with it. I happen to think the 13" rMBP is nothing short of a rip-off for what it offers.
I think if they made once change to the base config, it would be adding a 256GB SSD.
The base model is the one that makes the most sense from a value point of view, due to the incremental costs of cpu/storage being so high (and the performance increase of the i7 isn't that much).
The problem is that 128GB is not enough for a lot of people. It's plenty for me, but not for everybody. Most of the stuff I use is already installed and I still have 99GB free.
I was counting on having the ability to slide in a 3rd party SSD at some point in the future too. There seems to be room for a standard slim SSD drive in there-- just need somebody to invent the adapter cable.
90+% of the population buying MacBooks has no interest in ripping open their brand new $1,000+ purchase to start installing aftermarket components.
Glad that works for you, but that shouldn't be the basis for why Apple is "grossly overpricing" the 13" rMBP when by the standards of which all other Macs are configured for most people, it is only a $200 price difference. Using your argument, every computer that is sold is overpriced because you could build the whole thing yourself for cheaper. Most people have no interest in doing that.
----------
Than why did you buy it in the first place?
That was pretty "dumb" of you. You couldn't tell it was a "rip off" as you were swiping your credit card to buy one?
Like the first MBA (which started at whopping $1799 with clunky 4200 rpm 80GB hard disk used on iPod Classic), the first 13" rMBP is clearly targeted at early adopters. So if you have to complain about the price, then you are not the intended target.
Things should get more interesting with (1) Haswell (twice the graphics power and significantly improved battery life, especially standby and idle) and (2) 802.11ac/802.11ad (600 Mbps+ (75MB/sec) real world throughput, ideal for storing iTunes, photos, video over network attached disks).
Things should get more interesting with (1) Haswell (twice the graphics power and significantly improved battery life, especially standby and idle) and (2) 802.11ac/802.11ad (600 Mbps+ (75MB/sec) real world throughput, ideal for storing iTunes, photos, video over network attached disks).
Would you care to provide a citation for your made-up statistic?
I bought it to try out for myself. As I said, nice machine, shame about the price. Why are you so emotionally invested in it? It's a LAPTOP computer. Go spend that emotion on a real person - it's much more rewarding.
Yea, next year's model will be better. But guess what, whenever "Haswell" comes out, there will be another chip on the horizon that will be much better. And after that one comes out, there will be an even better one!
The 13" rMBP does not have the same spec-to-price issues as that original MB Air. Again, configure the cMBP 13" with the same specs and there is only a $200 price difference for 4X the resolution. The cMBP only costs $1,199 because it has just 4GB of RAM and an old 5400rpm HDD. If you want 8GB of RAM and a minimum sized SDD you are already at $1,499 for a 4 year old design. $200 more gets you the rMBP.
There will always be a faster, better spec'ed computer coming out next year and the year after that. When my 13" rMBP can't do what I want it to do, I will sell it on Craigslist, and get the newer one. Whatever I lose in the process is worth owning the latest and greatest while its still the latest and greatest and not sitting around waiting for better specs month after month and then coming here complaining that the "RevB" model still hasn't been released....all while the clock is ticking on this new design.
----------
Would you care to provide a citation for your made-up statistic?
I bought it to try out for myself. As I said, nice machine, shame about the price. Why are you so emotionally invested in it? It's a LAPTOP computer. Go spend that emotion on a real person - it's much more rewarding.
Because I feel like people get on these "oh it's overpriced" tangents when they don't actually do the math on the REAL comparisons in Apple's line.
As far as debating this topic with passion, we both are on a geeky Mac message forum talking about computers, so it is what it is. I give plenty of emotion to my wife and Boston Terrier. They are both fine
Your contributions to this site are enormous and varied in your lengthy time here.
While your argument is true, Intel HD 4000 on current rMBP isn't redesigned for retina display in mind. And while it is true that Intel is saving a real major graphics update for Broadwell (2014) and not Haswell (2013), Haswell will still roughly double the graphics performance over Ivy, making it far more suitable for retina display (especially if Apple picks GT3 flavor with 128MB graphics memory).
Again, while your argument is true, you can upgrade memory on cMBP much more cheaply aftermarket ($50 for 8GB, $100 for 16GB). Adding SSD to cMBP is also cheaper ($150 for 6G 120GB, $300 for 6G 240GB) and you can even create Fusion drive for $60 more.
It would be more fair to compare against 13" MBA, which costs $1299 for 128GB storage and 8GB memory and $1599 for 256GB storage and 8GB memory. Since real world benchmarks have shown very minor difference between 13" MBA and 13" rMBP, you are paying $400 premium (or 25-30%) for retina screen. To some, particularly early adopters and those spoiled by retina screen on iPhone and 10" iPad, $400 maybe very reasonable. But I think more mainstream consumers will find $400 to be fairy significant.
Fair enough, but a year ago I was on these forums and everyone was yapping about how they are waiting for this "Ivy Bridge" because it was going to be so much better than the current chip. And now it's "Haswell". It never ends.
----------
There is a cost associated with that fully clocked 2.5Ghz i5 vs the 1.8Ghz i5 in the Air along with the extra Thunderbolt port, SD"XC", and 60W charger. So it's not a flat $400 upsell for the Retina screen. Call it $250-$350...whatever, the Retina is that much better than the cMBP screen which is why I bought it.
Something funny I noticed was that if you plug a 13" rMBP into an external screen, the retina screen will still show exactly the same amount of ui lag that you can notice if you absolutely want to, while the external screen is completely fluid. That's the case even when displaying simultaneous animations like when swiping screens. Hence I doubt it's just the amount of pixels that's the problem.
Still, great computer, best I've ever owned, really a blast, screen is awesome, no IR, super fast at everything, I love it, don't regret it for even a second, will last 3 years easily....... I feel the need to write this whenever I post something, so that people see things in a proper relation.
Still, great computer, best I've ever owned, really a blast, screen is awesome, no IR, super fast at everything, I love it, don't regret it for even a second, will last 3 years easily....... I feel the need to write this whenever I post something, so that people see things in a proper relation.
True but that was before retina. Here's a quote from AnandTech's review:
All the non-gaming real world benchmarks show fairly modest performance differences between 13" MBA and 13" rMBP. For 3D games, 13" rMBP is faster, but neither are really suitable for games. Meanwhile with 13" rMBP, you will have to deal with scrolling and other UI performance issues (that are not present in 13" MBA and 13" cMBP) from time-to-time.
And most folks don't care about extra Thunderbolt port. 60W charger is more of a necessity since rMBP has higher capacity battery and power draw. As for SDXC, 13" MBA has SDXC slot.
Having said all that, I am not saying retina screen isn't worth $400. IPS retina display is a huge improvement over TN non-retina display, offering many more benefits beyond "retina" -- (1) 1680x1050 resolution vs. 1440x900 in highest "more space" scaling, (2) IPS panel vs. TN panel for significantly better color, viewing angle, better black level, contrast, and (3) 64% color gamut vs. 45%.
Once you go retina, it is very difficult to go back. But to me, it is clear that 13" rMBP has many compromises and priced for early adopters and power users that demand portability.
Finally, an educated assessment aside from the "I returned it" "Its a rip-off...make it cheaper" crowd. For me, I was willing to pay the premium for Retina...a premium that I didn't find to be exorbitant for the beauty of the display. And, I don't mind falling under the "early adopter" label...the resale value of Macs is such that the upcoming/better model is always within reach if I want it bad enough.
You'd be surprised how many people on Craigslist will pay good money for a used Mac just to say they saved a $150 bucks...
I bought one last night, I haven't see any scrolling or UI performance issues. Everything is silky smooth on mine. Apple must have updated something because those early reports don't seem to be true any more.
Apple will service it. I have bought many a mac from CL and taken it in for warranty issues at the Apple store with no issues.
Honestly a better comparison as far as form factor and technology goes is the 13" Air. If you don't want an ultraportable then it isn't really worth comparing, just get the plain 13" MBP.
The base model 13" Air with the 8GB RAM upgrade is $1299.
Going to $1699 for the 13" Retina gets you:
1) A higher res and higher quality display
2) A better CPU (which AFAIK doesn't really cost Apple more than the Air's CPU)
3) A bigger battery (but not really more battery life)
4) An extra Thunderbolt port and an HDMI port (woohoo
)So is that really worth the extra $400? I don't think so at this point. Honestly if the base model had come with a 256GB SSD it would have been a much easier pill to swallow.
For another comparison point, take a look at the Sony Vaio Z (again, if you don't want an ultraportable, why even bother?):
Vaio Z $1599:
- 13" 1080p display
- 2.5Ghz dual core (Same as RMBP)
- 128GB SSD
- 8GB RAM
- Flop-down hinged ethernet port
$2099 model gets you a 256GB SSD and a 2.1Ghz quad core CPU (which Apple really should have offered on the 13" RMBP).
So for the 13" RMBP you're basically paying $100 more for the display. The Vaio wins at the higher end model IMO with that quad core CPU.
Last edited:
Yup, as long as its got a warranty you're good. The thing that worried me was that the box he had it in was sealed but pretty damaged from the corner, so I did alot of basic tests to make sure it wasn't physically damaged. Thankfully everything worked out and I got an awesome deal.
One day I'll go for a retina display MBP but not yet. The first generation of new apple products always have issues (lag, image retention, glued in battery, non user upgradable RAM and HD) and I'd rather not have to contend with those things. I expect a laptop to last me at least three years, preferably more as a handed on device to family members....the glued in battery will make that replacement very expensive once it's out of warranty. I imagine this will effect the resale value as well, for those that want to sell the device on later.
As a piece of industrial design for those willing to pay a premium for such a device, it is a beautiful thing. But for me there's more to consider than just looks and an admittedly nice screen. Glad if you're happy with it though.
As a piece of industrial design for those willing to pay a premium for such a device, it is a beautiful thing. But for me there's more to consider than just looks and an admittedly nice screen. Glad if you're happy with it though.
Honestly a better comparison as far as form factor and technology goes is the 13" Air. If you don't want an ultraportable then it isn't really worth comparing, just get the plain 13" MBP.
The base model 13" Air with the 8GB RAM upgrade is $1299.
Going to $1699 for the 13" Retina gets you:
1) A higher res and higher quality display
2) A better CPU (which AFAIK doesn't really cost Apple more than the Air's CPU)
3) A bigger battery (but not really more battery life)
4) An extra Thunderbolt port and an HDMI port (woohoo
So is that really worth the extra $400? I don't think so at this point. Honestly if the base model had come with a 256GB SSD it would have been a much easier pill to swallow.
For another comparison point, take a look at the Sony Vaio Z (again, if you don't want an ultraportable, why even bother?):
Vaio Z $1599:
- 13" 1080p display
- 2.5Ghz dual core (Same as RMBP)
- 128GB SSD
- 8GB RAM
- Flop-down hinged ethernet port
$2099 model gets you a 256GB SSD and a 2.1Ghz quad core CPU (which Apple really should have offered on the 13" RMBP).
So for the 13" RMBP you're basically paying $100 more for the display. The Vaio wins at the higher end model IMO with that quad core CPU.
Ahhh, comparing a Windows-based computer to a Mac opens up a whole new can of worms. For one, with that Vaio, you are stuck with Windows and all of the bloatware and 15 month McAfee Virus Scan trial garbage that no one wants.
With the Mac, you get OS X and there should be a cost associated using that OS. Plus, if you really want Windows too you can have it via Bootcamp or other virtual ways. Not a fair fight in my book.