AMD Details Radeon Pro Graphics in New 15-inch MacBook Pro Models

[Kobayagi]

Problem is, either way they win.

True, but in return we get a nice laptop. Too bad they are just way too overpriced now. I'm not too exited about this new 2016 model. The touch bar and touch ID are just not worth it in my opinion. Plus by eliminating all those useful ports, you'll have to spend even more for adapters and deal with them constantly.

The 2015 is still fast enough and offers a much easier, adapter free, user experience.

 

[Grolubao]

So the biggest question is: Is the 460 worth the additional money over the 450?

 

[dollystereo]

I was just hopping they upgrade the minimum SSD to 512, and offer a nice quad core-iris pro macbook pro for under 2000. The pricing is insane, and I don't really care at all about the touch bar. I like the all USB3/TB3, but the HDMI port was really useful, plus I use a lot the SD card reader.
It's a nice machine, priced 25% off. I really think apple is gonna kill the mac sooner or later, licensing OS X.

 

[pendragon1984]

You do know Razor does a 14" too? And MSI, Gigabyte, etc? In fact all those laptops are thinner and lighter than the 15" 2011... that's the point. Their idea of thin and light has become unreasonable to many of us.

I agree with you. I'd rather something no thinner than the last gen but with much better internals. But that's not what they're doing. Probably that's not what the majority of their customers want.

All I'm saying is that Apple isn't putting in low end GPUs to just be cheap. They're limited by their ultra portable super thin designs. Maybe you don't like that compromise and would rather have a thicker heavier computer, but that's what they are making.

 

[raybo]

The 17" razer pro is almost 8 pounds. I get it, it's powerful but it's double the weight. Not exactly a comparable.

17" better be heavier!

 

[gnipgnop]

All I'm saying is that Apple isn't putting in low end GPUs to just be cheap. They're limited by their ultra portable super thin designs. Maybe you don't like that compromise and would rather have a thicker heavier computer, but that's what they are making.

Apple isn't focused on gaming for their laptops. The complaints that people have about the GPUs in this thread are basically PC gamer types of complaints. Professional software isn't developed the same way that video games are. They're not trying to push customers towards bleeding edge GPUs just to get the software to work well. The Polaris GPUs in the 2016 MBPs are going to give you very, very good performance in pro applications.

 

[satchow]

Yes. It's that same old villain called "Free Market Capitalism" - turning profits which drive industries and innovations, all while "robbing blind" the very consumers whose purchases provide the capital for that progress. The opposite, of course, is that economic theory which panders to the outcries of the entitled masses who demand products and services for cheap (or FREE!!), but who lack the sense to realize that if they get their way, they stifle and destroy innovation and growth.

Seriously - you think we got this far technologically by selling the highest end products for the lowest prices? Name me a "socially progressive" country (one which purports to provide the best for less, to everyone...) that produces the kind of massive technological advancement that companies like Apple, and countries like ours do? Companies don't profit when they lose the balance between cost and improvement. And when they don't profit as much, they don't innovate as much.

It's just basic economics and social theory in action. It's either this way or China's way... take your pick.

Yes it's either this way or China's way, no in between! A scenario where you can pay $5000 for a MacBook Pro and get anything besides a crap GPU just isn't based in reality. Sure they put in high end trackpads, CPUs, keyboards, M2 SSDs and retina displays.. but if you want a good GPU in your machine then you're supporting dirty Chinese ideologies.

 

[crsh1976]

So the biggest question is: Is the 460 worth the additional money over the 450?

Worth it for what, gaming? The greater question to the big question is why a midrange GPU like the 460 isn't standard to begin with considering the 450, 455 and 460 are pretty much all in the same class (the 460 being only vaguely better).

 

[Supermacguy]

Saying the graphics has "X teraflops of horsepower" is wrong and makes me cringe. I know it's marketing-speak, blech. But horsepower is already measured "over time". They should say "the graphics engine achieves X teraflops".

 

[scoobs69]

My view on the "Pro" moniker is this... Most pros I know don't use laptops as their main machine. They have laptops for when they need portability but have a desktop as their main machine. That's certainly my use case and because of that I really do appreciate a thinner and lighter MacBook Pro - even if that does mean some compromises on having the latest and most powerful CPU/GPU.

I know an incredible amount of graphic designers and website developers (think ad and design agencies), photographers (commercial and independent), and account people across all kinds of industries who use laptops (Apple or otherwise) as their primary workstations. I'm a photographer using a simple 2.5GHZ mid-2014 MacBook Pro as my primary workstation, and push this thing to the limit.

My wife works for Northwestern Mutual, and her entire developer department works on laptops as their primary workstations, and all employees are required to bring their laptops home every night.


As a photographer, there are two lacking pieces to my laptop I wish I had - a stronger GPU and 32GB of ram. I got one of the two with the 4GB GPU, which the 2014 Laptop didn't have, and I make due with 16GB of ram. So the GPU was the most important part for exporting RAW files to JPEGS in Capture One Pro 9.

Hoping the new 4GB GPU will push laptop video card closer to the Sapphire's speed in my old 2009 Mac Pro - from 40 minutes to export 500 files to 15 minutes. That'll make me insanely happy.

To me, it's nuts to think my current little 15" 2.5GHz laptop with 16GB of ram is faster at 99% of my daily tasks than my 2.66GHz 2009 Mac Pro with 24GB of Ram and SSD upgrades. I really don't ever want to buy a desktop computer again. I love the portability of folding up my workstation and taking it with me wherever I go. And now that it has 4 Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports, there's no reason to feel external HD usage will be a bottle neck.

 

[mrhick01]

It doesn't. It will choke, like their 4K and 5K iMacs choke.


Please, for the love of God, let this stupid argument die already.

The 4K and 5K iMacs choke? In what? Link/source?

Who has complained that the 4K and 5K iMacs are unable to handle workflows, above and beyond your complaints in these forums?

 

[MysteryMii215]

I'm sorry but this is truly pathetic. They only offer up to the 460 in even the top end MacBook Pro. Where's the 470 or even 480? You can spend nearly 5 grand after tax on the maxed out MacBook Pro and you're getting an AMD 460 and 16 GB of DDR3 RAM. Please tell me how Apple is not trying to rob everyone blind? Prices haven't been this absurd in a very long time.

This isn't the RX line. This is the Radeon Pro line. The Radeon Pro line is meant more for workbench computers, while the RX line is meant more for gamers.

 

[dannys1]

And 1060 and 1070 and 1080. I think gone are the days of Apple including an actually decent dGPU in their computers.


The 460 is like the bottom of the rung in those line of GPUs ... there is the 470, 480, and soon to come 490. Apple yet again is crapping on everyone for profit. These GPUs aren't even expensive either. I literally do not understand their logic. They keep talking about driving 5k content and displays and offer completely under-powered dGPUs. It boggles the mind.

You do realise you're not even talking about the same line of GPU's right? You're talking about the RX line, this is the Radeon Pro line, Apple is the first to use it - it only launched yesterday. Perhaps you should read this - http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/amd-radeon-pro-400-series-revealed-after-macbook-pro/

You're talking about gamers graphics cards, further more the one you think should be included draws 150w hahaha, you have no idea what you're talking about. Even the RX 460 draws 75w and that couldn't be used in a MacBook Pro, it'd run out of battery in about 40 minutes. The power draw on the RP 460 (which IS the top of the line in this range) is 35w.

It's so annoying how people rant about things they don't understand on here (mainly which GPU's match with which CPU and the like) and get loads of likes by spreading the misinformation.

 

[gnipgnop]

The 4K and 5K iMacs choke? In what? Link/source?

Who has complained that the 4K and 5K iMacs are unable to handle workflows, above and beyond your complaints in these forums?

These guys are video gamers. They seem to believe that every type of software constantly ramps up the spec requirements on an annual basis just like video games, which isn't accurate. The system requirements for editing 4k video don't increase every year. They basically remain the same, while the hardware gets more and more powerful.

 

[hajime]

Apple isn't focused on gaming for their laptops. The complaints that people have about the GPUs in this thread are basically PC gamer types of complaints. Professional software isn't developed the same way that video games are. They're not trying to push customers towards bleeding edge GPUs just to get the software to work well. The Polaris GPUs in the 2016 MBPs are going to give you very, very good performance in pro applications.

I need a laptop to do 3D CAD and 3D computer simulations.

 

[Frobozz]

What I don't understand is why there isn't a Pro Pro model. I get that people like thin and light. I love it. That means your Power draw and heat dissipation needs to be much more stringent. But for people who wanted the best graphics options, why not give them a thicker, heavier laptop with the trade off they are willing to make? Does Apple think that market segment is too small? I guess so.

 

[Maxx Power]

What I don't understand is why there isn't a Pro Pro model. I get that people like thin and light. I love it. That means your Power draw and heat dissipation needs to be much more stringent. But for people who wanted the best graphics options, why not give them a thicker, heavier laptop with the trade off they are willing to make? Does Apple think that market segment is too small? I guess so.

I personally prefer a laptop for most of my work. I prefer a desktop in my office for serious computations. In this scenario, I carry my laptop back and forth. If others are like me, they probably prefer a light carrying solution to a bulky compromise between a desktop and a laptop (desktop replacement-type of machine). If I really need my desktop while I am away, I can always remote manage my rig.

 

[nt5672]

Its not a bad graphics card but I do wish they had something with a bit more power. It will be nice to at least play some games now and then on this but it sure would have been nice to see a bit bigger of a boost. I opted for the higher end in my 15 inch. I would have paid more for better.

You just don't need that kind of processing power to post produce a movie of you taking a selfie with your friends. Or editing a picture of someone of someone jumping up and down on top of a hill taken with your iPhone. Apple is about instant gratification these days, not about using their products to get real work done.

 

[the-msa]

so you can decide to spend 5000 euro and still no gtx1080... topkek.

 

[Maxx Power]

so you can decide to spend 5000 euro and still no gtx1080... topkek.

I don't think it matters how much you're willing to spend. No one is going to shoehorn a GTX1080 into a non-gaming, work machine.

 

[airdrop]

Your BARKING is pathetic, all the hi-end specs will be old after 2 monts.
Now go and buy your dream PC, shut up and be happy!
Next time, instead of comparing the numbers, compare experience you get, but you are too shallow to do that.

Personally, I really love what they did with new MBP, the new machine is a great successor!
Great job Apple!

 

[kodos]

Your BARKING is pathetic, all the hi-end specs will be old after 2 monts.
Now go and buy your dream PC, shut up and be happy!
Next time, instead of comparing the numbers, compare experience you get, but you are too shallow to do that.

Personally, I really love what they did with new MBP, the new machine is a great successor!
Great job Apple!

Personally, I love it when Tim Cook 'airdrops' in!

 

[YaloMelo]

Great. You're one of the ones who chooses to buy someone else's technology. Your dollars will contribute to another company's profits, thereby enforcing their competition, and further driving forward the progress of technology.
Just realize - it's all the same, and whining about one company's decisions is silly, myopic, and self defeating.
Congratulations on your ignorant, self-absorbed indignation and decision to back another company's profit mongering with your hard-earned dollars.
You do realize that NONE of these advancements actually qualify as basic-human-needs, right? That a HUGE percentage of the world can't even fathom such luxuries, because they're just hoping for a bag of rice and a trickle of disease-free-water from the communal well? None of them give a crap about whether you can get a 450 or 460 or 480 for your dollar, or whether or not someone else is offering a better chip for a lesser price. Because they don't live in a country where that choice is even made possible by free-market competition. Stop friggin WHINING about how it works in a free-market economy, make your choice, and enjoy without constantly criticizing the process that makes it all possible.
Or - move to Nicaragua and enjoy the progress they have there.
BTW - you spend a LOT of time negatively commenting on a site which promotes products that you clearly see as inferior. What a miserable, lousy way to waste time... why not just head over to the Microsoft forums and sing the praises of the new Surface products that you're clearly more personally satisfied with? Or else, apply for a job at Apple, because you're clearly more capable of running one of the most profitable companies in history better than the current crew. Either way - you really find the most satisfaction trolling around here and bi***ing about how dissatisfied you are? Sorry, bro.

You are an idiot. smh.

 

[mrhick01]

when u dream of KabyLakes, DDR4 rams, and Nvidia 10X0 graphics and u get a 'courage' punch on your kisser from Apple

But there aren't Kaby Lakes of MacBook Pro-level specs yet ready in volume...

And why would they have NVidias in their laptops when we know they partnered and hitched their wagon to AMD three years ago? You basically can figure that Apple "owns" AMD, Sharp...and to a degree LG, without actually owning these companies and taking on all of their baggage...they are striving to shape (whatever their near-future) vision in their own image...

 

[jimmyco2008]

They're offering a 120 dollar GPU in a 2300+ dollar machine. This is penny pinching to the extreme. And they don't even offer a better option, no matter how much you want to spend. It's unbelievable. I thought they would give better options this time, but the only thing they've increased this year is the price.

It's such a thin MacBook that 460 is the best the can do. They obviously can't fit a 1070M for example (for thermals and probably size). Take a look at what similar "ultrabooks" from Dell/Lenovo/Microsoft have in them. No laptop in this thickness "class" has a GPU that matches its price.