Anyone regretting buying a cMBP?

[thejadedmonkey]

I couldn't imagine needing more than 16 gigs of Ram, but I might be shortsighted. As far as upgrading the HDD, it's actually SSD and from what I understand it is upgradable. Now, Apple may not offer a 2TB SSD right now, but in the 3 years that you mention they probably will, and I'm guessing you can put it in your retina then

You'd have a hard time getting Apple to upgrade the HDD on a classic MacBook pro, let alone a laptop where it's specifically "non-upgradable".

As far as needing 16 or 32 gigs of RAM, right now if I developed on my mac, I would use 3 for Windows, 3 for OS X, 2 for Windows Phone emulators, and that's 8gb for my normal "light" usage. Ideally I'd want closer to 10gigs, and that's just what I use now. Who knows what I'll be doing 3 years from now.

The MacBook pro retina just isn't ideal for a hardcore user, but it's priced to target the hardcore user. It's a strange marketing conundrum.

 

[adjeff8]

You'd have a hard time getting Apple to upgrade the HDD on a classic MacBook pro, let alone a laptop where it's specifically "non-upgradable".

As far as needing 16 or 32 gigs of RAM, right now if I developed on my mac, I would use 3 for Windows, 3 for OS X, 2 for Windows Phone emulators, and that's 8gb for my normal "light" usage. Ideally I'd want closer to 10gigs, and that's just what I use now. Who knows what I'll be doing 3 years from now.

The MacBook pro retina just isn't ideal for a hardcore user, but it's priced to target the hardcore user. It's a strange marketing conundrum.

Yes, you're obviously doing more intensive things than me. I surf, use Office and use film production scheduling software. That about sums it up for me, so 16 gigs will be more than enough for years to come. As far as upgrading the SSD, I haven't done it...But from all I've read here and elsewhere, and from my Mac repairman brother, the SSD is definitely upgradable on the retina.

 

[Applefanboy8153]

There was a thread a while ago asking if anyone was regreting buying a rMBP and wishing they'd gone for a cMBP instead. The answer was an overwhelming "No".

Just wondering whether those of you who chose the cMBP over the retina are regretting it?

I love the new retina display it is very beautiful and I absolutely love it. The computer comes with SSD so you really dont have to worry about falling back tech wise for atleast another 3 years and 8GB RAM is pretty sufficient for all the tasks a mac is for!

 

[TechZeke]

If everyone followed your advice, there would never be a second generation, because the tech would be a commercial failure.

No ***** shirlock. Let the people who want the latest and greatest be the guinea pig. I'm just saying, if you can wait(which we all know isn't everyone) then get the 2nd or 3rd Generation. I was the guinea pig for the iPad first generation..lesson learned...should have waited. The people who bought the iPad 2 still have support even after being superseded by 2 generations. My iPad 1 was dropped after 1. The iPad 2 was a far better buy.

Of course not everyone is going to follow my advice, that's unrealistic anyway, so what was the point of your post?

Posters on here with rMBPs wanted the latest and greatest, and they are suffering the consequences just as I did with my iPad 1. By the time upgrade from my cMBP, retina displays of that size will be in widespread use, not to mention ssd prices will be far cheaper. I will get a better machine for a better price.(This is already true the 2013 models) Just the way the world works.

 

[Suno]

Not one bit.

For the price of a low-end rMBP, I got the most powerful Macbook Pro available at the time, which also comes with the option to upgrade (which I did).

The weight and slimness difference between the cMBP and rMBP has always been a moot point for me. Coming from a phat gaming Asus, either one of these laptops are a beauty, as well as being light.

I got a HR-display on the cMBP which, while admittedly isn't as good as the retina, is more then enough for me. Would it be nice if it was higher? Sure. I used a 1900 x 1080 screen on my old laptop, so it was a step down.

Would I trade my cMBP just for the display upgrade? Absolutely not.

 

[barebackbadger8]

1) 2x2
2) Configure in disk utility

A single SSD is more than likely plenty fast for you. Setting up 2 SSD's in RAID 0 will increase speed but only marginally being that the 2 disks are SSD's (no moving internal parts). A greater performance increase can be had when setting up 2 non-SSD disks in RAID 0 as non-SSD's have moving parts and with RAID 0 on non-SSD's you are taking advantage of two moving heads reading and writing
across both disks. Keep in mind though 2 non-SSD's in RAID 0 will still be slower than 1 SSD. Plus RAID 0 offers no disk redundancy as opposed to RAID 1 which mirrors one disk to another.

With all that in mind I'd get 1 SSD and use it to put OSX on (install it in the disk carrier) and then use your other non-SSD to store your files (media etc.). Then combine that with an external backup drive to use Time Machine against for backups.

Or if you want in-box redundancy and speed then do RAID 1 (mirroring) with 2 SSD's.

The RAID would be software based using OSX's Disk Utility to combine the disks.

Thanks for the help/advice guys much appreciated!
Looks like i will have to order 2 x4gb now...or might just go the full hog and get 2 x 8gb!

Think ill go down the 1 x ssd for os and the other for media, can get a 128gb just for the os and buy a 128gb for media.. i only have roughly 30gb itunes, 4-5 gb photos (but growing since we had our daughter), no videos (well i do but stored on separate drive), but loads of documents

 

[sparkyms]

Yes, you're obviously doing more intensive things than me. I surf, use Office and use film production scheduling software. That about sums it up for me, so 16 gigs will be more than enough for years to come. As far as upgrading the SSD, I haven't done it...But from all I've read here and elsewhere, and from my Mac repairman brother, the SSD is definitely upgradable on the retina.

Edit - appears that they are upgradable

 

[Rodster]

I work on cars for a living and the trend in automotive is where Apple has decided to go and that is they want to discourage you as best as possible from DIY repairs.

It appears the rMBP does allow to have parts changed but how many would crack the cover and just look and say WTF? At least with the cMBP, upgrades appear to be much easier. I would rather swap out a cMBP battery which is screwed in rather than try and unglue and remove the battery in a rMBP. Unless you know what you are doing you can make things worse.

So you can replace the battery in the iPad. How many have done that on these forums? I know I wouldn't, i'd send it off to Apple.

 

[iMacFarlane]

No ***** shirlock. . . .

Of course not everyone is going to follow my advice, that's unrealistic anyway, so what was the point of your post?

. . . Just the way the world works.

Wow. Have a mug of hot cocoa and calm down.

Doesn't the world include everyone?

 

[TechZeke]

Wow. Have a mug of hot cocoa and calm down.

Doesn't the world include everyone?

If you're going to be an ass and quote me in pieces with two different sentences from two separate paragraphs just to make it seem like your point is still valid, you could at least have the decency to do a better job. You're probably trolling anyway, so I have no more to say on this thread.

 

[Braniff747SP]

No. I bought in June the day of the keynote; had the 13'' Retina come out the same day, I may have gone for it, but I needed a computer, and, at the time, it was perfect for my uses... still is. If I were buying today, I may have gone for the 13'' rMBP... but I would have likely remained with the cMBP.

 

[kensic]

no regrets here also.

everyone has stated the obvious reason for cMBP.

another main factor why i bought my classic 15" is the price. i scored big on an open-box at best buy. i didn't want to spend anywhere near $2-3k for the same specs (i dont really care for the retina, because i output to a external monitor anyway)

 

[rocknblogger]

I've been going back and forth and back and forth and back...well, you get the idea. I'm glad I ran across this thread. After reading every single reply I've decided to go with the cMBP.

First of all 80% of the time I'll be using it at my desk with two external monitors. I had a 2010 MBP that worked beautifully and that one only had 512MB GPU. I upgraded that one to 8GB RAM a 256GB SSD and I sold it at the end of last year for $1700. There were some bonuses I through in to get that figure but for all intents I got almost my entire investment back.

While I think the rMBP has a wonderful display I still have a want for an internal ODD and an Ethernet port. Quick story about the need for the ODD.

Granted this is a windows story but non the less. I was having issues with booting to the home screen. I scoured the web for fixes (Win8) and the consensus was to create a bootable Win8 installation USB stick, which I did. I followed the instructions on what to do next and for three days I toiled with this thing and no matter what I tried it didn't work. I then happened to run across one reply on a Windows forum deep in the thread that said, instead of USB burn an installation DVD. I did as it was a last grasp. 5 minutes later I was booted and running smoothly again. Something in the difference between how amDVD boots and a USB made all the difference in the world. Lesson learned. Hold on to the ODD as long as viably possible. While I'm sure this is a very rare occurrence I'll not be caught with my pants down again. FYI, I had removed the DVD drive some months ago so of course I had to reinstall it to fix my PC.

In fact every computer and laptop I've owned I managed to get 5 to 7 years out of because of the ability to easily upgrade and/replace parts/batteries. Someone earlier posited that the rMBP may not hold the resale value as well because of the difficulties in repairing and/or upgrading and I think there may be truth to that. A few of you argue that most people don't upgrade their MBP and for the most part I agree, however, when it comes to the used market I do believe that quite a few of those buyers will tinker and will value the ability to do so making the cMBP a better value proposition at the 3 or 4 year mark.

I'll be buying a new cMBP next month. Base config except for 2.6CPU/1GB GPU. The RAM and SSD I'll do myself. I already have the 256GB Samsung 840 Pro ready to go. Total after upgrades, just over $2000.

 

[Fissure]

Thanks for the help/advice guys much appreciated!
Looks like i will have to order 2 x4gb now...or might just go the full hog and get 2 x 8gb!

Think ill go down the 1 x ssd for os and the other for media, can get a 128gb just for the os and buy a 128gb for media.. i only have roughly 30gb itunes, 4-5 gb photos (but growing since we had our daughter), no videos (well i do but stored on separate drive), but loads of documents

I'd just leave the non-SSD that comes with the MBP in there to store your media files on. No sense in buying 2 SSD's, just buy 1 for OSX.

 

[adjeff8]

I stand corrected. It's just what I have read on this site, and it's what my brother, who makes a living servicing Mac computers told me. Can anybody corroborate? Is the SSD on the retina truly upgradable?

 

[rocknblogger]

I stand corrected. It's just what I have read on this site, and it's what my brother, who makes a living servicing Mac computers told me. Can anybody corroborate? Is the SSD on the retina truly upgradable?

Yes it is upgradable but it's the blade type SSD which at this point in time severely limits your options. OWC makes one for the rMBP but its very expensive. I'm sure over the next couple of years other manufacturers will release more but I think the price is going to stay relatively high for the next couple of years at least.

 

[iMacFarlane]

If you're going to be an ass and quote me in pieces with two different sentences from two separate paragraphs just to make it seem like your point is still valid, you could at least have the decency to do a better job. You're probably trolling anyway, so I have no more to say on this thread.

No, not trolling. Just reading about my favorite hobby with like-minded individuals, trying to enjoy myself. Didn't think I'd be cussed at while I was at it. I'll try harder next time.

 

[Ledgem]

I stand corrected. It's just what I have read on this site, and it's what my brother, who makes a living servicing Mac computers told me. Can anybody corroborate? Is the SSD on the retina truly upgradable?

As rocknblogger said, the SSD is removable and replaceable but it uses a non-standard type of SSD. At this point OtherWorld Computing is one of the few (if not the only) to offer SSDs in that form factor, and OWC are fairly pricey themselves. It's nowhere near as versatile as being able to use a 2.5" SSD.

Are there even other laptops making use of the blade-type SSD form factor? If so, we might see more options in the future. I haven't heard of any, though. 2.5" is fairly entrenched.

 

[DaCurmudgen]

Bought a cMBP instead of an iMac and loving it

After waiting for a new iMac for over a year, I finally evaluated what I really wanted (latest processor, ability to upgrade RAM after purchase, large HD options, USB 3.0, CD/DVD drive, and more screen real estate) and decided on the cMBP 15" with an external monitor in late July. I couldn't be happier because I now have the added bonus of taking my computer with me whenever I travel. You also have to appreciate that I was coming from a G5 PPC 17" iMac with 2GB RAM and 150 GB HD, so even after 7 mos. of use, this cMBP feels like a gift from the heavens. I also maxed out the RAM (16GB), put in a 7200 RPM HD, and bought the Hi-Res antiglare option which really is a beautiful screen in its own right.

However, the rMBP weight and screen could be big factors, depending on your needs. Based on the different responses to your question, it seems like most of us are happy with our Macs no matter what we bought -- so that's encouraging.

 

[F1 Fan]

Based on the different responses to your question, it seems like most of us are happy with our Macs no matter what we bought -- so that's encouraging.

Very encouraging! I'll be taking taking the plunge within the next couple of months. My windows laptop came closer than ever before to a violent death today... If if keeps acting up like that, it'll meet a date with destiny (and a hammer) very soon!

 

[barebackbadger8]

I'd just leave the non-SSD that comes with the MBP in there to store your media files on. No sense in buying 2 SSD's, just buy 1 for OSX.

Yea think ill do that, saves money then and ill have the 500gb that comes with the mbp 13"
Need to find a good, cheap optibay now

 

[mike5065]

this is a great thread. i'll throw in my 2 cents...

i think the rMBP is a beautiful piece of hardware, with a stunning screen. but i own far too many computers and laptops to put that much money into any one of them.

So, instead of 15" rMBP (2K), I bought a 13" cMBP (I paid 1K back friday), added 16GB RAM (60) and SSD (100) and HDD Caddy (15), then built a new Win7 gamer box with monster processing capabilities with the rest of the budget, for MWF3 and BlackOps and whatever comes next. Same overall cost, but I get bigger bang for my buck.

Oddly, one of the key factors was the the rMBP has no Kensington lock port, so if I were to use it at work, it would be gone 10 minutes unless I carried it with me, taking 2K off my hands. The cMBP sits safely on my desk when i'm away, which is often. And what if I drop it, like I did with my Lenovo last week (still works)? Or if it got wet? Or if i drop it because my hands got wet? That screen looks like to costs as much to fix as my cMBP is worth.

Would I like a retina? Yes. But that's too rich for my blood, and I think I did better for my overall experience.

Again, just my 2 cents.

 

[cRz]

I don't have the "once you go back you can't go back" effect. My cMBP would not charge and for a month before I had time to take it to the Apple Store I used my Grandma's rMBP. Obviously I like the computers graphics and whatnot, but it only took me a day of use to get me used to the cMBP graphics.. which is still good.

And the rMBP is kind of slow.. And if it's between speed and better graphics, I'm going with speed.

 

[thehustleman]

this is a great thread. i'll throw in my 2 cents...

i think the rMBP is a beautiful piece of hardware, with a stunning screen. but i own far too many computers and laptops to put that much money into any one of them.

So, instead of 15" rMBP (2K), I bought a 13" cMBP (I paid 1K back friday), added 16GB RAM (60) and SSD (100) and HDD Caddy (15), then built a new Win7 gamer box with monster processing capabilities with the rest of the budget, for MWF3 and BlackOps and whatever comes next. Same overall cost, but I get bigger bang for my buck.

Oddly, one of the key factors was the the rMBP has no Kensington lock port, so if I were to use it at work, it would be gone 10 minutes unless I carried it with me, taking 2K off my hands. The cMBP sits safely on my desk when i'm away, which is often. And what if I drop it, like I did with my Lenovo last week (still works)? Or if it got wet? Or if i drop it because my hands got wet? That screen looks like to costs as much to fix as my cMBP is worth.

Would I like a retina? Yes. But that's too rich for my blood, and I think I did better for my overall experience.

Again, just my 2 cents.

Where did you get 16gb for 60 bucks at?

 

[urkel]

Okay, so I now have both the 15" cMBP and rMBP in front of me because I couldnt decide which fits best me best. The problem is, (after putting in 256SSD + 750HDD in the cMBP) I like them both but both also have enough glaring faults that I dont love either.

In the end it all comes down to Storage vs Screen. And thats a huge dilemma for someone who does photowork. If I pick the rMBP then I have the best screen but I have to be tethered to an external drive or slow network drives. If I pick the cMBP then I have the storage I need but the screen isn't as amazing as it should be.

I really havent made a decision yet because both are good but to be honest then I wont be happy because either way I'm making a compromise that feels unnecessary on a $2000 computer. Maybe I should just return them both and skip this generation.