Apple Quietly Announces AMD Radeon Pro Vega Graphics Options Coming to MacBook Pro

[bgalakazam]

Waiting on pricing. I willprobably get the Vega.

 

[johnniefp]

I expect anyone who does any graphics work or runs multiple monitors will get the Vega. My 15" BTO arrived today and I've already arranged for it to go back.

 

[spshulem]

No it wasn't. AMD literally announced these GPU's a few days ago. On top of that, I really don't give a **** about your jealousy. I didn't get that laptop because it didn't offer the GPU I wanted. Simple as that. Now there's a laptop that will, and I don't think it's reasonable that I shouldn't be able to get that laptop because you're upset you bought a laptop you didn't really want after all and now you're jealous of those who get the better one. Good things come to those who wait and know what they want, I believe is the expression?

Technology always marches on. If Apple had been following along with the latest trends and gotten the best CPU's and GPU's all the time, then nobody would even think to bring this up as a problem. That's because it isn't. Apple is finally doing what they should be doing, and they should be applauded for that.

I'm still very disappointed that we heard nothing about a new iMac or Mac Pro, but at least we got this, and I'll take that! The new iPad Pro also looks amazing, although I'm not really in the market for an iPad right now.

Jealousy? Comes to those who wait?

Not jealous, just financially frustrated because I waited two years for Apple to come out with a decent 15" and then find out a month after I buy it and less than 3 months after they release it, they update it again. One of the main advantages of having a Mac is the resale value. The main reason the resale value is so high, is they only release few products and updates every year. If the latest iteration you get more bang for your buck, then within a month, my laptop just dropped in significant value.

 

[Rafterman]

I got a maxed out rig when they became available his year and while I would have probably taken the new graphics option, I'm not going crazy because I didn't.

I don't know why so many people are pizzzed. There's ALWAYS a new, better option available soon enough. If you waited for "the best", you'd never get anything.

 

[improwise]

Whats your take on this GPU update for someone like me being a software developer and could not really care less about GPU performanec (on this machine) and the new GPUs comming? My main interest would be if they would be cooler and more quiet, especially since I will run some Windows stuff as well and AFAIK, its dGPU only in that case.

What about if you run Windows using Parallels or something, would you then use the iGPU only?

(I would really prefer not to have a dGPU at all..but still want the 6 core CPU and 15")

 

[northtwilight]

I'm also a developer, on iOS via Xcode, so for me the extra horsepower from the GPU is useful for running Xcode iPhone Simulators and whatnot cooler and more efficiently than would be possible from the integrated graphics.

Parallels in my experience is actually more likely to run hot and therefore off the dGPU for performance reasons. I tried running SQL Server and Visual Studio off it once and it was ... difficult, those programs are pretty resource-intensive to boot.

Re switching 'manually' or ad-hoc, typically you would use something like gfxCardStatus on older Macs (ie I'm on an old mid-2012 retina) to handle this. I'm not sure if newer Macs allow this anymore though.

 

[Ishayu]

Jealousy? Comes to those who wait?

Not jealous, just financially frustrated because I waited two years for Apple to come out with a decent 15" and then find out a month after I buy it and less than 3 months after they release it, they update it again. One of the main advantages of having a Mac is the resale value. The main reason the resale value is so high, is they only release few products and updates every year. If the latest iteration you get more bang for your buck, then within a month, my laptop just dropped in significant value.

The resale value will be fine. These new laptops with the better GPU is a BTO upgrade - they're more expensive than yours. Yours won't be going away either.

Also, I just want to remind you that Apple used to update every single product in their line-up 2-3 times a year and the resale value was fine. You haven't lost any significant value, you're just mad you don't have the highest end GPU in an Apple laptop anymore.

Question is, do you need that? I do, so I didn't buy the current MacBook Pro. I was actually really close to doing so, but I didn't, and I'm glad I didn't. If you needed it, you made a mistake, and it has nothing to do with Apple releasing new laptops now. If you didn't need it, why do you care?

 

[MasterStormcrow]

Oooh how to pull this off? What did you say and who did you ask to and how?
Please do tell. I got the 2018 when I needed to replace my 2012 at that timely manner. I’m glad I did so when the 2018 quietly came out but I suppose this is the one I really needed.

I just politely explained that I would like to return my Macbook Pro i9 because I would like to purchase the more expensive Vega 20 model on November 14. I was told there is a 14 day return policy but they would transfer me to the supervisor level of sales Customer Service to check if there was anything else they could do. The Customer Service supervisor approved the 1 time exception 90-day return period, which they have the ability to do for situations just like this or if a product completely fails and instead of repairing the MacBook Pro they just replace it. I hope that helps. I've already mailed back my Macbook Pro i9 and have been refunded at this time. Also remember, you will always catch more flies with sugar and honey than with vinegar and salt; just be sure to keep these kitchen items away from your new MacBook Pro i9 Vega, as to not void your warranty .

 

[spshulem]

The resale value will be fine. These new laptops with the better GPU is a BTO upgrade - they're more expensive than yours. Yours won't be going away either.

Also, I just want to remind you that Apple used to update every single product in their line-up 2-3 times a year and the resale value was fine. You haven't lost any significant value, you're just mad you don't have the highest end GPU in an Apple laptop anymore.

Question is, do you need that? I do, so I didn't buy the current MacBook Pro. I was actually really close to doing so, but I didn't, and I'm glad I didn't. If you needed it, you made a mistake, and it has nothing to do with Apple releasing new laptops now. If you didn't need it, why do you care?

I'm not sure if you got a memo I didn't about these new ones coming out when I bought my computer just a little over a month ago.

Your argument is: If you wanted a better GPU, then wait, if not, then they must not mean much to you.

1) I ended up buying an eGPU with a Vega 56 because the internal dedicated GPU was not enough (I do mostly graphic design and coding).

2) I would have HAPPILY waited if I knew they were going to be releasing another computer 3 months after their last refresh. Unfortunately, I did not the get crystal ball you have so humbly been gifted with.

3) Also, what are you talking about their line-up use to refresh "2-3 times a year." Macrumors literally has a buyers guide that disagree with you on that for every single product. As of today it has been 120 days since the last update... Since 2009 on ANY of their products they have never refreshed that quickly. https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac

Are you talking about in the 80's or something?

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

I'm not sure if you got a memo I didn't about these new ones coming out when I bought my computer just a little over a month ago.

Your argument is: If you wanted a better GPU, then wait, if not, then they must not mean much to you.

1) I ended up buying an eGPU with a Vega 56 because the internal dedicated GPU was not enough (I do mostly graphic design and coding).

2) I would have HAPPILY waited if I knew they were going to be releasing another computer 3 months after their last refresh. Unfortunately, I did not the get crystal ball you have so humbly been gifted with.

3) Also, what are you talking about their line-up use to refresh "2-3 times a year." Macrumors literally has a buyers guide that disagree with you on that for every single product. As of today it has been 120 days since the last update... Since 2009 on ANY of their products they have never refreshed that quickly. https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac

Are you talking about in the 80's or something?

Until unibody there were GPU refreshes often 1-2 times a year especially in PowerBook days. After unibody it slowed down and people complained of lack of refreshed hardware specs.

There will always be people buying before a refresh or new option. You have to think ahead and look at what the overall industry is releasing.

 

[Vjosullivan]

2) I would have HAPPILY waited if I knew they were going to be releasing another computer 3 months after their last refresh. Unfortunately, I did not the get crystal ball you have so humbly been gifted with.

You don't need a crystal ball to know that Apple will quietly upgrade or change various components on various devices at unspecified times in the future, or to know that from the second you buy your product it joins the conveyor belt of products moving from "best" to "junk". Both are facts of life you just have to accept.

For what it's worth, my already obsolete 2011 17" MacBook Pro (non Mojave compatible) was finally promoted to junk status this weekend, when it collapsed repeatedly under the strain of some ambitious Photoshop work at a class over the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out tomorrow and fully expect it to be something that will, like your machine, still be usable in 2025.

 

[clutchm3]

You don't need a crystal ball to know that Apple will quietly upgrade or change various components on various devices at unspecified times in the future, or to know that from the second you buy your product it joins the conveyor belt of products moving from "best" to "junk". Both are facts of life you just have to accept.

For what it's worth, my already obsolete 2011 17" MacBook Pro (non Mojave compatible) was finally promoted to junk status this weekend, when it collapsed repeatedly under the strain of some ambitious Photoshop work at a class over the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out tomorrow and fully expect it to be something that will, like your machine, still be usable in 2025.

Why tomorrow? Do they announce the prices then?

 

[clutchm3]

Whelp, for people who got base configuration no big deal but if you maxd out not good as it is an upgrade - https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...phics-options-now-available-to-order.2154803/

 

[Vjosullivan]

Why tomorrow? Do they announce the prices then?

There’s a new MacBook Pro variant out then.

 

[spshulem]

Until unibody there were GPU refreshes often 1-2 times a year especially in PowerBook days. After unibody it slowed down and people complained of lack of refreshed hardware specs.

There will always be people buying before a refresh or new option. You have to think ahead and look at what the overall industry is releasing.

Fair point, I actually do remember them doing a WWDC hardware announcement then a November refresh. But if I remember correctly it was typically March update and November refresh, which is a fair time to upgrade. But less than 120 days for this one is a bit unusual - especially given their past 6+ year track record.

I will say it's nice to see that they just added it as a paid upgrade on top of the 560X, instead of a replacement for it. So at least now my laptop can retain it's value for a bit longer.

 

[homegrownhero]

I just politely explained that I would like to return my Macbook Pro i9 because I would like to purchase the more expensive Vega 20 model on November 14. I was told there is a 14 day return policy but they would transfer me to the supervisor level of sales Customer Service to check if there was anything else they could do. The Customer Service supervisor approved the 1 time exception 90-day return period, which they have the ability to do for situations just like this or if a product completely fails and instead of repairing the MacBook Pro they just replace it. I hope that helps. I've already mailed back my Macbook Pro i9 and have been refunded at this time. Also remember, you will always catch more flies with sugar and honey than with vinegar and salt; just be sure to keep these kitchen items away from your new MacBook Pro i9 Vega, as to not void your warranty .

Holy **** man, way to go.
Sadly didn't work for me. Despite me asking one of the 'pack leaders' at their Union Square flagship store lol.
Its okay. I mean yeah I get a bit salty looking at these YT reviews of the Vega20 MBPs, but I found a rather small-ish eGPU from Asus and I already have this Vega64 lying around, so I'll make use of that when I need to.

Congrats man, you lucky person you.

 

[Vjosullivan]

I wonder what would be needed to raise the MacBook Pro from "Neutral" to "Buy Now" in the Buyer's Guide?