Does anyone else feel like the MacBook is kind of slow and not very snappy?

[newellj]

No its buttery smooth because the drivers and hardware work well together. The rMBP has more then enough grunt to run a retina display but Apples drivers are rubbish and to many people praise them anyway so Apple have no need to fix the problem.

This really goes both ways. People should have stood up in 2009 and demanded a better display for the MBA. Every year it gets more outdated. The only real justification for it at this point is better gaming performance, especially relative to the retinas, which can be quite lethargic while gaming, depending on the display setting.

 

[torana355]

All I'm getting at is that the days of GPU's struggling to drive just a retina display are years gone.

Agree 100%. We need to get Apple to fix the drivers on the retina models AND put a better IPS panel in the MBA. Both issues are unacceptable really but i can live with the MBA screen, the stuttering, i cannot.

 

[iRun26.2]

This really goes both ways. People should have stood up in 2009 and demanded a better display for the MBA. Every year it gets more outdated. The only real justification for it at this point is better gaming performance, especially relative to the retinas, which can be quite lethargic while gaming, depending on the display setting.

I refused to by another MBA unless it had a better display. They could have put in a computer chip that was fifty times more powerful than my original MBA and I would not have bought it. I demand a better screen.

I am willing to put up with the supposed problems of retina displays and even the lackluster performance of the M-core processor. I must have a retina screen in a small form factor. It is an immediate 'buy' for me

(Again, give me Retina or give me death!)

 

[jcmeyer5]

Oh stop this nonsense about needing to 'go to the gym'. Wanting a more portable computer has nothing to do with physical capability. It is convenience. You can fit more things into a backpack or you can more easily put it on an airline tray table.

Saying someone needs to exercise more is just stupid.

Your kidding on both counts right? Fit more things in a backpack? More easily put it on an airline tray? Convenience?

Look, it is a fine looking machine. And with a few tweaks, in a few years it will likely be a practical machine. Today though... you are lying to yourself if you think there is an actual advantage to this machine vs. a rMBP 13.

 

[iRun26.2]

Your kidding on both counts right? Fit more things in a backpack? More easily put it on an airline tray? Convenience?

Look, it is a fine looking machine. And with a few tweaks, in a few years it will likely be a practical machine. Today though... you are lying to yourself if you think there is an actual advantage to this machine vs. a rMBP 13.

No I'm not. I think you are out of touch with the reality of how much smaller this computer is compared to a rMBP.

 

[tecnho]

I think you are out of touch with the reality of how much smaller this computer is compared to a rMBP.

Or even to an air, for that matter.

 

[jcmeyer5]

Posts like these that claim there is no difference in portability between various Mac and non-Mac laptops are missing the point.

The size and weight of a laptop is big deal to a lot of people, and depends entirely on individual circumstances, usage and preferences.

For example:

How much do you carry your laptop? From your bedroom to your lounge? From your car to the elevator? For a 15 minute walk from the train? All day between meetings? For days on end on a location shoot in the mountains?

All of this matters!

I have a rMBP 15 which I upgraded to from an MBA 13. In a laptop or shoulder bag, the weight difference is noticeable. After a day of carrying, my shoulder is sore. In a backpack with my lunch, a drink, a jacket, some books & papers, disk drives, power supply etc., the weight difference between rMBP 15 and MBA 13 is less noticeable - because I'm already carrying 3 times the weight of the computer, so the percentage difference is hardly noticeable.

If I am carrying the laptop by itself between meetings in my office building, or to the coffee shop, they the difference in weight is significant. I can't easily hold the rMBP 15 open in one hand to show something to someone when standing up; I need a table or to sit down and use it on my lap. The rMB can be held up without effort with two fingers.

I have colleagues who have "workstation laptops" - quad-core i7's with 32GB RAM, 2 SSDs, and 17" screens. These machines weigh 7-8 pounds, have a power supply the size of a brick, and they often have a wheelie-bag to take to move them around to avoid back strain

It's horses for courses.

So to clarify, the rMBP 13 or Asus ultrabook is not "just as portable" as the rMB, in either absolute or subjective terms. They are less portable. Maybe not *much* less portable for you, but that is subjective.

You may not think the compromise between weight and power / ports is worth it to you. And this is absolutely OK! But please bear in mind that other people have different priorities and values, and it is their right to have these without criticism.

Apple have done a good job designing an extremely lightweight computer, and will almost certainly sell a lot of them. The design lessons will benefit other product lines in due course. I would personally love my rMBP to have the same features but weigh a lot less!

Honestly, not criticism. However, if people were actually comparing them without the "oooo it's Apple" beer goggles on, then there is no scenario that a rMBP 13 doesn't do everything and more that a rMB does... Yes even portability.

Again... Fine little machine, and with time (and price reductions) it may even end up practical. But today is not that day. Until then It is a show piece. Feel free to buy one to support Apple and/or show off for friends... But I just can't buy the whole portability argument.

----------

No I'm not. I think you are out of touch with the reality of how much smaller this computer is compared to a rMBP.

Nope. Checked it out this last weekend. Put them side by side. Noticeable difference? Absolutely. Enough difference to matter in day to day life? I can't imagine a scenario where one would honestly have a (very expensive) need for that 1.5 pounds, especially in light of all the compromises needed to get there.

But enjoy it! Sincerely, I hope you love it. Maybe next generation they can improve on the shortcomings.

 

[bcaslis]

What do you mean by portable? I have a 13 rMBP and the MacBook. Can you move either from place to place easily? Sure. But which one do want hanging off your shoulder for 8 hours? Or running in an airport to catch a place.

Saying the MacBook is no more portable that a rMBP is simply delusional. It's like saying a 13" rMBP is no more portable than an old 17" MBP.

 

[tecnho]

Again... Fine little machine, and with time (and price reductions) it may even end up practical. But today is not that day. Until then It is a show piece. .

You must be missing the numerous positive threads by basic users who are not aware of any of these pragmatic discrepancies you are warning of. It would be disingenuous to accuse the rMB of being impractical when it obviously surpases many light users' expectations and specs.

 

[johngwheeler]

Honestly, not criticism. However, if people were actually comparing them without the "oooo it's Apple" beer goggles on, then there is no scenario that a rMBP 13 doesn't do everything and more that a rMB does... Yes even portability.

Again... Fine little machine, and with time (and price reductions) it may even end up practical. But today is not that day. Until then It is a show piece. Feel free to buy one to support Apple and/or show off for friends... But I just can't buy the whole portability argument.

----------



Nope. Checked it out this last weekend. Put them side by side. Noticeable difference? Absolutely. Enough difference to matter in day to day life? I can't imagine a scenario where one would honestly have a (very expensive) need for that 1.5 pounds, especially in light of all the compromises needed to get there.

But enjoy it! Sincerely, I hope you love it. Maybe next generation they can improve on the shortcomings.

OK - there are a couple a valid points to each side of this "argument". My take on it:

1) The rMB is a brand new design for Apple, with the intention of showcasing how small and light and "useful" computer can be. (Whether it meets an individual's performance requirements is subjective).

2) The rMB is not intended to compete with the rMBP - it's a different category of laptop - an "ultraportable", that is a step up from netbooks, tablets and chromebooks.

3) Whatever people think about it's size in comparison to other computers, it *is* a very small, thin & light computer, with 58% of the weight of the rMBP 13. It's very close to the weight of an iPad with an external keyboard.

4) Some people value the size (and maybe the colors?) more than the absolute performance or utility of the machine. Your value judgement may be different. This is the result of living in relatively free-thinking societies.

5) The rMBP is probably the better "general purpose" laptop, that combines good (but not best of class) portability, useful computing power and storage performance, an excellent screen and good interfaces via its various ports.

I would not "recommend" the rMB to someone who has no need of its form factor, all else being equal. The rMBP is better value if you want a mid-price premium computer. If you need or want the lightest possible Apple computer for your work or pleasure, then the rMB is it.

FYI, I do not have an rMB, and don't think I'll buy one yet, not because I don't think it's great at what it does (I do!), but because I simply don't need it. If I suddenly have a requirement for "small & light", I will review my choices at the time.

 

[frogcat]

Honestly, not criticism. However, if people were actually comparing them without the "oooo it's Apple" beer goggles on, then there is no scenario that a rMBP 13 doesn't do everything and more that a rMB does... Yes even portability.

Again... Fine little machine, and with time (and price reductions) it may even end up practical. But today is not that day. Until then It is a show piece. Feel free to buy one to support Apple and/or show off for friends... But I just can't buy the whole portability argument.

----------



Nope. Checked it out this last weekend. Put them side by side. Noticeable difference? Absolutely. Enough difference to matter in day to day life? I can't imagine a scenario where one would honestly have a (very expensive) need for that 1.5 pounds, especially in light of all the compromises needed to get there.

But enjoy it! Sincerely, I hope you love it. Maybe next generation they can improve on the shortcomings.

I respect your curiosity in the rMB, but I think you are missing out on a prevalent issue for contractors/consultants.

I'm in this industry and I carry 2 HP clunkers along with my 15" MBP for travel.
Those HP laptops are client ones so I always have to have them. I actually now travel with an iPad for personal, to get rid of some weight.

However iOS doesn't do it for me, and I really am spoiled by Retina, so I am ruling out the MBA.

The 13" MBP is a great machine, but it does not match the iPad's travel size and weight. Those 2 HP laptops are already 10lbs together with their cords and chargers. rMB for me please.

ALSO - to everyone that travels by plane a lot, just FYI that the new rMB does not fall under the TSA's "standard" laptop definition of a 12"x14" device!

It only measure 11"x8", so that means we don't have to take it out of our carry-on luggage when getting screened

It's just the little things in life that really make the experience better!

 

[tecnho]

ALSO - to everyone that travels by plane a lot, just FYI that the new rMB does not fall under the TSA's "standard" laptop definition of a 12"x14" device!



It only measure 11"x8", so that means we don't have to take it out of our carry-on luggage when getting screened



It's just the little things in life that really make the experience better!

Does that mean it could technically be used in all phases of flight like an iPad as well, or would it need to be shut down for takeoff/landing? I don't know if I would suggest doing this for now, even if technically allowed because it does still look like a laptop and can throw off some flight attendants that don't know the exact dimensions that define "large" personal electronic devices.

 

[vanimal]

Does that mean it could technically be used in all phases of flight like an iPad as well, or would it need to be shut down for takeoff/landing? I don't know if I would suggest doing this for now, even if technically allowed because it does still look like a laptop and can throw off some flight attendants that don't know the exact dimensions that define "large" personal electronic devices.

It's still a laptop lol. I think that answers itself. But hey, not like everyone follows the rules anyway.

 

[tecnho]

It's still a laptop lol. I think that answers itself. But hey, not like everyone follows the rules anyway.

Oh I agree, just want to know what the rule is if anybody knows

 

[WilliamLondon]

In reality, I can't see many people owning this computer for many years to come. As soon as there's a considerable upgrade, people will flock to it.

And yet there's a 4-6 week backlog of orders currently, as in today, with this version, the one they just launched.

 

[rahulr]

ALSO - to everyone that travels by plane a lot, just FYI that the new rMB does not fall under the TSA's "standard" laptop definition of a 12"x14" device!

It only measure 11"x8", so that means we don't have to take it out of our carry-on luggage when getting screened

I haven't taken a laptop out of a bag in 2 years with TSA precheck . In all seriousness, I have a had a rMBP 13.3 which I used as my main laptop and travel about 5-10 times per month via plane. Having a thin and light laptop that does everything the rMBP does (arguable by many who post here, but to me I have seen no drop off) while traveling is incalculable.

 

[frogcat]

I haven't taken a laptop out of a bag in 2 years with TSA precheck . In all seriousness, I have a had a rMBP 13.3 which I used as my main laptop and travel about 5-10 times per month via plane. Having a thin and light laptop that does everything the rMBP does (arguable by many who post here, but to me I have seen no drop off) while traveling is incalculable.

Wait so technically the rMBP 13.3 doesn't need to be taken out during pre-check?

I think I'm abiding by rules a bit much

If the rMB doesn't work for me, then I will most likely go this route anyway!

 

[rahulr]

Wait so technically the rMBP 13.3 doesn't need to be taken out during pre-check?

I think I'm abiding by rules a bit much

If the rMB doesn't work for me, then I will most likely go this route anyway!

Nope! No laptop needs to be taken out in the U.S. But if you travel to the UK then even your iPad needs to be taken out and turned off and on in some cases. You also don't need to take out toiletries or take off your shoes or light jacket if you have precheck: