Anandtech on cMBP vs rMBP

[terraphantm]

High-powered WiFi network adapters. Trendnet, TP-Link and a few others sell these with 5dBi+ antennas.

Most colleges don't allow you to take their network and broadcast a wireless signal, even if you limit it to a single device. Don't ask me why, it's a dumb policy.

With that said, I don't know why he can't just buy the TB-ethernet adapter if everything else about the laptop is suitable

 

[jcpb]

Most colleges don't allow you to take their network and broadcast a wireless signal, even if you limit it to a single device. Don't ask me why, it's a dumb policy.

With that said, I don't know why he can't just buy the TB-ethernet adapter if everything else about the laptop is suitable

Umm, those WiFi adapters with high-powered antennas aren't anymore different than compact and thumb-sized WiFi adapters, except for the fact that you can attach a larger and/or external high-gain antenna to the adapter to boost signal reception. On a computer, these are normally seen as any other WiFi network adapter.

edit: example - http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=54644

 

[Ferry888]

You're not happy about computers going the way of household appliances. Except the computer industry is clearly heading towards the personal computer as an appliance.

The only thing that prevents Macbook Pros from getting any thinner right now is the laws of physics.

Resistance is futile. Get on board while you still can.

I see my computer more as a household appliance since I make and earn my money by using a pc. You can not use a household washer, coffee machine, dish washer for professional use. If you do you will know the short comings of the consumer (household) version compared to it's professional counterpart. You don't see consumer printers printing your newspaper neither will you see you coffee machine you got at home sitting in Starbucks.
If I want household I will buy a Macbook and not a Macbook Pro, same goes for Imac vs. Mac Pro. Don't give me the fact that many top companies use 10K+ workstations to do their work. I, like many others, am just a small self-employed freelancer who does not, or still have not, these means to access the creme-de-la-cream.

I have not and will never complain if usable things become more thinner and portable.

I am not resisting anything, I am just giving my 2 cents. If a medium becomes becomes more portable WITHOUT making COMPRISES I will be glad to accept. However if there are comprises to be made I will think trice before I jump the wagon.

I've tried it once 5 years ago, replacing an iBook G4 with a netbook.

It didn't work.

5 years ago is a lifetime in the tech industry, what did or did not work 5 years ago does not set the standard today. 5 Years ago I was still using my NOKIA, at that time to be considered the pinnacle company in the mobile phone industry. Now I'm on my Iphone and I even skipped the Blackberry.


The only PC laptops that can literally replace the MBPR right now are all workstation-class notebooks, with upgrade pricing that easily make them cost upwards of five large.

As an OS wise there none more user-friendly, intuitive than the OS-X. Hardware wise you can not seriously argue there is more bang for your buck with other vendors.

I don't think you have any clue what you are talking about.

Ignorance is bliss. Microsoft, Apple, Gucci, Wallmart, GM, or any other company for that matter will analyse their numbers and find their strengths and weaknesses, their cash-cows and leaks. If you look at Apple Inc numbers, it's strengths and opportunities are clearly in the segment where most of their revenue is created. IOS devices (Iphone, Ipad, Ipod) and it's media on the demand (Itunes, Appstore). The next step will be to get in our livingroom by AppleTV.

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Give me an example of an Android-powered smartphone where you can upgrade its internal CPU, GPU, display and memory, all the while keeping a form factor as small as a Samsung Galaxy S3.

Give me an example of Andriod-powered smartphones who is competing with the Macbook Pro. You're comparing Apple with oranges (no pun intended). Samsung is not trying to make operating systems for their phones or their notebooks. Whereas Apple designs the OS and it's hardware.
The parallel that I am trying to make is that OSX is now taking some of IOS features and lay-outs. Launch Pad is clearly based on IOS. The new Retina MBP is clearly as user upgradeable as any IOS device.
I dunno if we are are on the same wavelength as I may be talking about Apples and you about oranges.

 

[Ferry888]

I thought I'd register to provide my view point (been lurking on the forums for about a month). I've been using Windows as my only OS since 1997 (and DOS before that...IBM/Tandy before that). I never owned an Apple product before my iPad purchase two years ago. I work in an industry dominated by Microsoft. But I'm making the switch and I'm doing so because of the rMBP.

I can't say whether it's the future (meaning 5+ years out - who can really predict that far ahead, considering the way portable computing is changing), but right now, and for the next three years, I see the value in it. All that performance in such a small form factor. The Sony Vaio comes close, the ZenBooks are on the right path, but RIGHT NOW, the rMBP, to me, is the best of breed.

Granted, I understand that if upgrading a laptop is important to you, the rMBP isn't a good fit. That's not a concern for me. I've owned 12 laptops in my life and never upgraded any of them. They're 2-3 year investments.

I don't fully agree with the ethernet dongle argument, but either way, the cMBP is a great machine too.

The rMBP, however, is cutting edge. At the expense of some stuff that, if it's important to you, make it a bad fit. No doubt. But for me it was the driving force in moving towards Apple, not away from them.

Now if only my damn rMBP would actually ship...

Thank you for your opinion, and I am not saying the rMBK is not a great machine. No it's daring, it's cutting-edge, high-tech, standard setting, makes a statement, and it cost a lot of money. Those are the same reasons many people would buy a Ferrari if they could effort it.
I'm am just giving my opinion why I am not buying the rMBP since I still have a 2010 MBP, which I upgraded with an intel SSD and 8gb ram from a fraction of the Apple would've charged me at that time.
The problem with not being user upgradeable/ user serviceable means that you are have no control on how long repairs will take because you have to send it back EVERYTIME when somethings fails or is broken. Now, unlike many people, I don't have the luxury to have 2 working macs at my home... If my MBP dies because of an failing battery, hard-drive or bad RAM it means I am out of business. Whereas, I used to replace the component install the back-up and I am good to go.

 

[terraphantm]

Umm, those WiFi adapters with high-powered antennas aren't anymore different than compact and thumb-sized WiFi adapters, except for the fact that you can attach a larger and/or external high-gain antenna to the adapter to boost signal reception. On a computer, these are normally seen as any other WiFi network adapter.

edit: example - http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=54644

Okay, I thought you were saying to use a bridge. Would mac drivers even exist? And I wonder if they're compatible w/ the security used at most campuses (basically the same as enterprise security).

And for the same price, I still think it'd make more sense to get the TB->ethernet adapter. It'd be more reliable and a lot faster (Most college internet connections will allow for more bandwidth than what a USB 2.0 adapter can deliver)

 

[filmak]

I get you don't want the rMBP, but a scenario like this, with no other options noted such as an AC adapter and such, is a little out there. If daily operation is absolutely critical, a backup mac is a necessity not a luxury. If no backup, then it sounds like you will need to keep your current machine for another 10-20 years.

I think that the backups are already listed in miy sig.
We 're talking just for the specific design.
I really find that the rMBP is a very good mac with a splendid screen, I just think that it should have more user replaceable or upgradable parts, but that's just my opinion.

 

[filmak]

Sorry guys but;
no Ethernet connection (remember not all countries have stable Wi-Fi)
.....

I'm sorry but I can't understand. What do you mean by saying that not all countries have a stable wifi? Don't you buy your wifi router? Can't you buy whatever brand you want and like?

Also I think that the gigabit adapter is a valid option for rMBP users.

 

[filmak]

....

 

[filmak]

I see your point, but the current cMBP's battery is not really user-serviceable either and I don't believe Apple will sell you an official battery alone. I wouldn't put in a 3rd party battery. As for RAM, I was actually going to get a new Mac Pro and put in 32 GB, since that would have been perfect for me, but there is no new Mac Pro so I bought this machine instead with 16 GB of RAM. There are 16 GB modules right now, so I wouldn't be able to upgrade a cMBP to 32 GB anyway. I also don't hold onto computer long enough for such upgradeability to become an issue, as I run a company and change my computers quite often, which makes sense for tax and ensures that I am always running the latest machine that I need to do my job quickly and efficiently. I do recognise though that other people's mileage varies.

Dear Seb,
First of all I have to thank you for your helpful review of LaCie thunderbolt to esata hub. Your review helped me a lot, a couple of months ago, and finally bought the hub which is an excellent product, except its price of course.

Now, about macs, I think that you have bought the finest macbook pro available by choosing the rMBP. If I didn't have some specific needs I would have bought it too.

It is very sad that there aren't any new MacPros or even iMacs, I was in the same position like you and finally bought two months ago an 27" iMac i7 2.7 with 16 Gb of ram and a 512 ssd because I couldn't wait any longer. Also a few days ago I bought a 13" cMBP 2.9 and upgraded it with a 512 samsung ssd and 16 gb of ram. The main reason for buying the 13" was its size. The 13 runs a lot cooler than my old one (c2d 2.4 2010) and of course a lot faster, it's very nice.

The whole noise with the rMBP reminds me the days , about 11 years ago, when I bought the Titanium Powerbook G4. The older model, the old (classic) design Powerbook "Pismo" was more upgradeable and it had a media bay in which you could add a second battery, or a hard disk or even a zip drive etc. Very convenient things. But the new Ti was a different class, an excellent design, less upgradeable but just beautiful. I still have it, it's still in use and no regrets.

I think that all the owners of rMBPs have bought a very fine computer with an excellent screen, which eventually will be better next year when I' ll buy mine too.
Cheers,

 

[theSeb]

Dear Seb
First of all I have to thank you for your review of LaCie thunderbolt esata hub, You have helped me a couple of months ago with the above mentioned review and I have finally bought it. Works like a charm.

Now, about Macs, I think that you have bought the best mbp available,
I agree with you, it's very sad that there are'nt any new MacPros or even iMacs.

I was int the same position and finally bought an iMac 27" 2.7 i7 because I could not wait anymore, and, a few days ago, a 13"2.9 mbp with a samsung 512 sad and 16 gb of ram, the main reason for buying the 13 was its size. It's a lot better than my old 13 c2d 2010 model, as expected, but the best part is that it's running a lot cooler and of course faster.

The whole noise about rMBP reminds me the days about 11 years ago when I bought the 15.4 G4 Powerbook titanium. It was less upgradable than the older Pismo Powerbook, which had some media bays you could insert a second battery, a hard drive or even a zip drive, if you remember.

But the Titanium was a real piece of art. Beautiful design, I still have it, still in use, and no regrets.

So all the owners of rMbp have bought a very fine computer which eventually will be even better next year when I will buy mine too.
cheers,

Thanks and I am glad that the review helped you in making the purchasing decision. You bring up a lot of good points. The only thing that will make me regret the rMBP purchase now is if Apple released a new iMac with a high-resolution display.

 

[katmeef]

The lack of an ethernet port is what killed it for me, because in the dorms at my college, the WiFi signal is pretty weak, which means ethernet is a must.

you could just leave the tb>gbe dongle connected to the Ethernet cable in your dorm, and plug that into your computer instead of the Ethernet cable itself.

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The problem with not being user upgradeable/ user serviceable means that you are have no control on how long repairs will take because you have to send it back EVERYTIME

How often do you expect your Mac is going to fail? My old 09 mbp only once needed service, I had the super drive swapped out as it died after burning an excessive number of DL-DVD discs.

And how many of these expected Mac failures are going to be rectified by swapping the ram or hdd/sdd yourself? (apple won't sell you a new battery to replace yourself for either cmbp or Rmbp).

 

[EwanMcTeagle]

Retina (with thunderbolt>ethernet port dongle)- $2307 + Apple Care

MBP 2,6 GHz 700GB HDD 8GB RAM high res - $2300 + SSD

MBP 2,3 GHz 500GB HDD 4GB RAM high res - $1899+ RAM + SSD

Surely the rMBP seems to be the most sensible choice. But I don't believe that one size fits all. I would like to have the rMBP, but I'll choose cMBP (probably base model) as my desktop replacement (have a display thus no need for Retina, and cMBPs built in ethernet port and DVD will come handy - though Retina's lack of them isn't a deal breaker for me to be honest) and I'll update the RAM (authorized Apple service/store in Warsaw, Poland takes $15 for switching the RAM you bring them yourself, whereas they take the Apple price for that when you order and SSD myself when I feel the prices are reasonable and I have the budget for it.
I suppose the base graphics will be sufficient for me. Hopefully the computer will last for 4-5 years - think I won't need Apple care which is a must in Retina's case. But that's just me. I'm pretty sure I'll get the Retina (or whatever the name at the time) the next time I'll be changing my "desktop" machine.

To sum up:
• Retina is great, but I wouldn't dare to take it without AppleCare
• classic MBP gives me the flexibility to upgrade anytime I want/need with the parts I want plus I don't need the super screen and Retina's slimness that much - let's not forget that cMBP isn't a fat cow It's beautiful, slim and lightweight in my opinion and has everything a laptop (and desktop for that matter) should have.

My message would be: choose the Mac you prefer/want/need and be happy with it.

 

[Hakone]

My message would be: choose the Mac you prefer/want/need and be happy with it.

That about sums it all up perfectly.

 

[mjn298]

rMBP is amazing but sadly a lot of the software I use hasn't caught up with it yet (not just the screen, several other things) and I needed a new laptop so I went classic.