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Does it make sense to have a "Retina MacBook Pro" sub forum?

Semantics is missing the point

So far it seems like most people are NOT in favor of creating a new forum for the Retina Pros... some of the arguments center around the idea that the new Retina's are still "technically" regular Macbook Pros.

But here's the thing: if you look at a lot of the questions in that forum regarding the Retina Macbook Pros... they ONLY apply to the Retina models. For example, most of the questions center around the display itself, or gaming performance at 2880x1880, etc etc. In fact, most of the discussion in regards to the Retina model ONLY pertain to the Retina model - regular MBP owners have no reason or insight to read into those discussions.

That's the best reason for creating a new subforum. It doesn't matter what Apple calls the computers.
 
Qusus said:
So far it seems like most people are NOT in favor of creating a new forum for the Retina Pros... some of the arguments center around the idea that the new Retina's are still "technically" regular Macbook Pros.

But here's the thing: if you look at a lot of the questions in that forum regarding the Retina Macbook Pros... they ONLY apply to the Retina models. For example, most of the questions center around the display itself, or gaming performance at 2880x1880, etc etc. In fact, most of the discussion in regards to the Retina model ONLY pertain to the Retina model - regular MBP owners have no reason or insight to read into those discussions.

That's the best reason for creating a new subforum. It doesn't matter what Apple calls the computers.
Click to expand...

But what about the ones that don't fit either category, or apply to any macbook, not just rMBP.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1383549/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396797/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1397080/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396796/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396902/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1286166/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/237405/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1397084/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396355/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1393093/
 
I have to say that I would vote yes to separating them, but only because as a non rMBP owner, I have had a hard time sifting through all the posts since the vast majority are focused on the rMBP because it is so new. That being said, you could easily put them back together after the craze dies down some.

Just my opinion.
 
Censorship brought me here.

This thread needs a poll. I guarantee the majority of responders are the ones against the idea. Those supporting it would likely vote without posting because they don't want to get attacked.

Either way, do a poll. Put some REAL numbers around this suggestion. Let's see if the MacRumors staff care about those who come here.
 
Comeagain? said:
But what about the ones that don't fit either category, or apply to any macbook, not just rMBP.
Click to expand...

Based on the links:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1383549/
That could be regular MBPs only

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396797/
This is more of a Retina thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1397080/
This applies to any Mac (MBP, Air, Pro, whatever)

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396796/
This applies to any Mac (MBP, Air, Pro whatever)

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396902/
This could go either way but looks to be more of a retina thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1286166/
MBP thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/237405/
MBP thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1397084/
This is a troll thread... Ok this one crosses both boundaries but most it is a thread about people who criticize the Retina

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1396355/
This applies to any Mac (MBP, Air, Mac Pro, whatever)

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1393093/
MBP thread

So basically, it doesn't seem that hard to me to categorize any of the above threads. It might be useful to make just a Retina category. Because there are certain things that would only apply to Retina MBP systems and certain things that would only apply to MBP systems
 
I think the MBP and the MBPR have two different audiences. While they share the same name, mostly, they are very different creatures on the inside. The MBP is repairable and upgradeable, whereas the MBPR is locked up and unserviceable like the iPad. The Retina has a stunning screen that will likely appeal to people more concentrated on visual creativity, whereas the MBP will likely appeal more to people looking for an all-purpose machine.

I think the MBP and the MBPR will cut out their own niches, and both will continue to be offered by Apple for the foreseeable future, because they serve particular segments very well. I don't see why we shouldn't distinguish between the two on the forum.
 
leenak said:
So basically, it doesn't seem that hard to me to categorize any of the above threads. It might be useful to make just a Retina category. Because there are certain things that would only apply to Retina MBP systems and certain things that would only apply to MBP systems
Click to expand...

But what do we do with the ones that can be either? Put them somewhere separate, where they might not get seen by the people who actually know the answers? Or what if I just want to read about what people think of the macbook pros in general, why should I have to search in two different places? And people who really can't skim past the retina only/regular only threads, you can search for specific prefixes.

For instance, here are only threads marked resolved.
 
Comeagain? said:
But what do we do with the ones that can be either? Put them somewhere separate, where they might not get seen by the people who actually know the answers? Or what if I just want to read about what people think of the macbook pros in general, why should I have to search in two different places? And people who really can't skim past the retina only/regular only threads, you can search for specific prefixes.

For instance, here are only threads marked resolved.
Click to expand...

The ones that can be either can be anything though, it can be desktop, laptop, whatever. It is arbitrary to put it in the MBP forum, they could just as easily go into the MB Air forum or the Mac Pro forum.
 
annk said:
This is definitely the simplest idea, if members are willing to take the time to tag their Retina threads with [Retina]. It would at least give a visual indication of which threads are about which machine, for those who are only interested in discussions about one or the other.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I like that idea, it will help distinguish rMBP threads with cMBP threads, my only concern is getting members to use the prefix, particularly new members who may not know about prefixes.

As for the subforum idea, I'm also against it. This may sound harsh and I don't intend it to be, but basically scroll down if you don't want to see a particular thread.

There's too much overlap between the retina and non retina MBPs. As already noted there will be threads that could fit either category.

At the end of the day, we are talking about a MacBook Pro, just with a different screen. It makes little sense, imho, to segregate it.
 
rMBP with own page?

The macbook pro forum is now 90% rMBP threads. Seems like its hard to find the cMBP related threads.

I think people would like a separate "Macbook pro retina" page in addition to classic macbook, mbp and mba pages :)
 
Should the Retina MBP have its own forum section?

Im currently researching to buy the new 15" non-retina MBP and it can be difficult finding posts relating to this model, all the talk seems to be about retinas.
 
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macmastersam said:
why not put two subforums into the macbook pro sub forums? one sub forum for classic and one for retina :D
Click to expand...

I like this idea. So if you click on MBPr, you see only posts posted under retina or if you click MBP, you see posts for MBP only. And if you click Macbook Pros [Parent link] you see posts from them combined.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As a newbie I have no problem identifying which are rMBP and which are cMBP threads; mainly because the majority of rMBP owners put "retina" at least twice in every title to ensure everyone knows they own an rMBP.

These two machines are technologically identical, differing only in execution and the Retina display. They are targeted at the same market, and cost (once you account for SSDs etc.) almost exactly the same. It seems to me that this desire for a separate forum is driven more by vanity and exclusivity than any rational reason.

It is almost certain that the rMBP is the future of the MBP, and the continued existence of the cMBP represents a transition period. Once the cMBP is EOLd in a year or two any separate rMBP forum would have to be merged back into the main MBP forum anyway. It makes very little sense to me to spin-out an exclusive rMBP form just to massage a few egos when it will have a very limited lifespan.
 
No, we don't need another sub-forum for MBPRs. Imagine two threads, one in each of cMBP and MBPR subforums, asking "hi, i'm a student, i use my laptop to play games and watch youtube, should i buy a mbp or rmbp?" or whatever variation of it...
 
grapes911 said:
What is the advantage of separating them? What is the disadvantage of keeping them together?

I'm having a hard time thinking either way is better.
Click to expand...

To be fair, the rMBP is as different from the cMBP as the cMBP is to the Air.

----------
jcpb said:
No, we don't need another sub-forum for MBPRs. Imagine two threads, one in each of cMBP and MBPR subforums, asking "hi, i'm a student, i use my laptop to play games and watch youtube, should i buy a mbp or rmbp?" or whatever variation of it...
Click to expand...

Plus a post in the MBA section :D
 
I agree, they should separate them into two different forums. It's quite difficult to navigate the MBP forum if you're trying to find out anything about the cMBP with all those rMPB post here and there. Just my two cents.
 
Retina Needs Its Own Section!

cMBP users have to make their way through 95 threads about retina this and retina that when none of it applies to the cMBP.

The Macbook Air and the cMBP have more in common than the cMBP and the retina do, so why does the Air have it's own section, but the retina does not?

Come on mods. Let's get this done.
 
I don't think it does. I think eventually the "Air" and "Retina" titles will go away and we will just have "Macbooks" and "Macbook Pros."
 
JesterJJZ said:
I don't think it does. I think eventually the "Air" and "Retina" titles will go away and we will just have "Macbooks" and "Macbook Pros."
Click to expand...

When that time comes, they can merge the sections. In 2012, the cMBP and the rMBP are two entirely different products.

The rMBP has basically overtaken this section and cMBP users have nowhere to go.
 
No change required.

Before we know it, Apple will stop offering the conventional MBP. It may happen in only a matter of months.

Leaving only retina models, Apple will achieve it's goal of moving everyone up market, and proving once again we are at Apples mercy. :)
 
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