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15" Retina MacBook Pro Actually Got More Expensive...

MICHAELSD

MICHAELSD

macrumors 603
Original poster
Jul 13, 2008
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As many did, I just assumed the 750M would be a $200 BTO upgrade. Apparently not! Now, you need to spend $2600 for discrete graphics (the 750M). This won't matter to 70% of people since the Iris Pro graphics will be more than enough but you got a better bang-for-your-buck graphics-wise with the last generation. Early benchmarks are speculating the 650M in the last generation is 30-40% faster than Iris Pro graphics.
 
MICHAELSD said:
As many did, I just assumed the 750M would be a $200 BTO upgrade. Apparently not! Now, you need to spend $2600 for discrete graphics (the 750M). This won't matter to 70% of people since the Iris Pro graphics will be more than enough but you got a better bang-for-your-buck graphics-wise with the last generation. Early benchmarks are speculating the 650M in the last generation is 30-40% faster than Iris Pro graphics.
Click to expand...

Now actually this is a surprise, a performance decrease for discreet graphics and a price rise! I think that Apple is turning away from its Pro users and heading more mainstream which is sad because it was those professionals who helped them to become what they are now...
 
jamesjingyi said:
Now actually this is a surprise, a performance decrease for discreet graphics and a price rise! I think that Apple is turning away from its Pro users and heading more mainstream which is sad because it was those professionals who helped them to become what they are now...
Click to expand...

Yeah and still calling their devices "pro". Its actually embarrassing that I either have to spend $2500 for a dGPU or deal with integrated graphics.
 
*shrug* if you NEED a dGPU, you probably also want the upgraded storage and memory. Yea it sucks that the base model option of having the dGPU isnt there anymore, but the high end model is cheaper and way better bang for buck than last generation. With this gen, for 2600 you get 5200 + 750m and 2gb ram, last gen you got HD4000 + 650m with 1GB ram for 2800
 
It's actually a pretty big difference. I didn't look through every benchmark for the Iris Pro but I chose Bioshock Infinite since that game can run maxed on my 650M at 1080p.

55281.png
 
sholzer said:
*shrug* if you NEED a dGPU, you probably also want the upgraded storage and memory. Yea it sucks that the base model option of having the dGPU isnt there anymore, but the high end model is cheaper and way better bang for buck than last generation. With this gen, for 2600 you get 5200 + 750m and 2gb ram, last gen you got HD4000 + 650m with 1GB ram for 2800
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Indeed, but your logic will get lost in the mass hysteria.
 
sholzer said:
*shrug* if you NEED a dGPU, you probably also want the upgraded storage and memory. Yea it sucks that the base model option of having the dGPU isnt there anymore, but the high end model is cheaper and way better bang for buck than last generation. With this gen, for 2600 you get 5200 + 750m and 2gb ram, last gen you got HD4000 + 650m with 1GB ram for 2800
Click to expand...

the high end model is not cheaper in Europe unfortunately. thats part of the problem in addition to the lack BTO dGPU in the base model.
 
If I had to choose though, I would go with the newer model, even if I have to pay more... Its the battery life that is key. I don't know where Apple is going but it better include more Pro things. They haven't concentrated on them in a while and bringing out one Mac Pro isn't going to keep customers loyal. What they need is a thicker (Johnny Ive, don't kill me) MacBook Pro which really pushes the boundaries and comes with dual GPUs and other amazing options which some people need as desktop replacements. If they can pack such amazing technology into a Mac Pro, then they should be able to power it down (only slightly) and stick it in a cMBP shell (maybe without a SuperDrive) and then call that ProBook or something cool... Maybe even offer it in Space Grey (now that, would be amazing!)...
 
Personally for the higher end model, I wish they had gone for the regular HD 5000 graphics with the discrete GPU. The ones with crappier integrated graphics has faster processor clocks.
 
You guys do realize the extra hour of battery life seems to be calculated from Maverick's improvements.
 
famalka said:
I wish people would stop saying this. It isn't true. Comparing clock speeds between different generations is pretty much worthless.
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Yes, thank you.

Also the fact that the high end model isn't cheaper isn't that big of a deal. You are also getting PCIe SSD which are much faster than last gen, thunderbolt 2 and 802.11ac, both which may not be a big deal now, but is part of future proofing your equipment.
 
Don't fret, Apple does spec bumps here and there. If enough of you Pro's voice your discontent, they may add the graphics cards to BTO.

They added another option to the entry level iMac last year after a few weeks.

Just saying...
 
Sorry, $2,600 to get a discrete GPU is insane. I don't care that you get 16GB of RAM and a faster SSD, I would be happy with a slower SSD and 8GB of RAM if I could get a discrete GPU for around $2,200...
 
I feel vindicated not waiting and just buying a refurb'd 2012 model several months ago. The discreet GPU was a must for me.
 
iPersian said:
again read my last comment. this is the case only in us in eu it costs 3600 $.
Click to expand...
Don't forget the US prices shown are without local sales tax, EU prices are with.
Still, for the last gen machine you would've paid $3860 (€2800). So more bang for the euro too.
 
MICHAELSD said:
As many did, I just assumed the 750M would be a $200 BTO upgrade. Apparently not! Now, you need to spend $2600 for discrete graphics (the 750M). This won't matter to 70% of people since the Iris Pro graphics will be more than enough but you got a better bang-for-your-buck graphics-wise with the last generation. Early benchmarks are speculating the 650M in the last generation is 30-40% faster than Iris Pro graphics.
Click to expand...

I agree. I'd be fine with a 750M, 256 GB SSD, and 8 GB ram for 2199, like last year's model. I don't really need the extras.
 
Krazy Bill said:
Exactly. Beat me to it.
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Not if you're smart and get their 2.8GHz 15" rMB in the refurb section, then you'll still be ahead of the game. Super sale for super power!

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yinz said:
Don't fret, Apple does spec bumps here and there. If enough of you Pro's voice your discontent, they may add the graphics cards to BTO.

They added another option to the entry level iMac last year after a few weeks.

Just saying...
Click to expand...

well regardless - they will make it worth your while to wait till after x-mas rush, they'll bump up all the base specs and you'll save even more cash and have less regret :D
 
jamesjingyi said:
Now actually this is a surprise, a performance decrease for discreet graphics and a price rise! I think that Apple is turning away from its Pro users and heading more mainstream which is sad because it was those professionals who helped them to become what they are now...
Click to expand...

What "Pro user" applications require discreet graphics? Seems more a gamer feature.
 
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