I am looking for a new MacBook. I am trying to decide on the 15 inch MacBook pro. Does the Retina have all these problems or is it good to buy.
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Does the retina MacBook have problems or should I buy.
- Thread starter Tbdbuckeyeitl
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I don't have one but I fooled around with one at an apple store for hours and It's the most incredible laptop i've ever used.
I bought a cMBP instead but for reasons other than "what's the best tech available right now?"
I bought a cMBP instead but for reasons other than "what's the best tech available right now?"
The only issues I’ve found is that getting more than 256GB of internal storage is rather expensive, and there can be some visual sluggishness when running at high resolution. But overall it’s a fantastic machine, and once you’re used to the display, there’s no going back.
Absolutely buy it! It's the best MacBook Pro ever made. No lag, no UI issues whatsoever. Everything runs fast and smooth for me. I recommend getting the 2.6, as the built-in Intel graphics is clocked about 14% faster than the 2.3 version. The 2.7 version, if you can afford it, comes with 8 MB cache compared to 6 MB the other units. I don't know if this will make a big difference, but it's not information that Apple publicizes and is good to know.
This will change as developers have time to update all their stuff.
The only stuff that is not particularly likely to update for retina soon are certain 3rd party pro apps (Ableton, Native Instruments stuff, etc) that still haven't updated to 64-bit.
I'm a little annoyed that Logic Pro isn't 64 bit nor retina optimized (mostly annoyed at the 64 bit thing, the retina upgrade won't enhance performance on its own) but I played w/ it in scaled mode and it looked fine. Still sharp but not as sharp as it could/will be.
It's gorgeous, however, most apps aren't optimized. If this is a huge issue for you don't buy it. If not, go for it. It's flipping amazing.
Always try it at the Apple Store prior to buying.
inb4 Other companies begin making retina quality screens and apps left n right are all updated.
Always try it at the Apple Store prior to buying.
inb4 Other companies begin making retina quality screens and apps left n right are all updated.
Personally I love it and if you're looking for a laptop now, I would definitely not buy a classic MBP. The retina will be as hot a commodity later if you plan to upgrade as it is now trying to get your hands on one. It will hold it's value much better than the classic.
Don't worry about the apps since it's software and an update will smooth out any rough edges. That's not a concern.
The screen is great and really blows away my previous MBPs. The performance is fast and the computer is soooo quiet. I've been on it in a quiet apartment for hours and I haven't heard the fans kick on and the laptop is cool to the touch.
Don't worry about the apps since it's software and an update will smooth out any rough edges. That's not a concern.
The screen is great and really blows away my previous MBPs. The performance is fast and the computer is soooo quiet. I've been on it in a quiet apartment for hours and I haven't heard the fans kick on and the laptop is cool to the touch.
Unless there's something the classic has that really appeals to you, go retina.
This coming from someone who just bought a classic 15".
The retina really is awesome. Can't wait for that screen to become standard so I never have to hear "Retina" as a marketing term ever again.
This coming from someone who just bought a classic 15".
The retina really is awesome. Can't wait for that screen to become standard so I never have to hear "Retina" as a marketing term ever again.
Do you own one and are you basing your opinions off of that?
OP, I own a rMBP and can honestly say it's the most amazing and refined computer I've ever used. The screen is flat-out amazing, the colors are spot-on, the machine is blazing fast, and I have absolutely zero lag.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy one, not even for a second, unless the price range is too high. But for me, it's totally worth it.
Hope this helps,
Bryan
This is his standard answer every single time someone asks a question like this. Just don't ask for any clarification, because you won't get it. I have not noticed any lag issues on my rMBP (2.3/8/256 base model), and I've been putting it through the ringer just to verify everything is working properly. The machine is fast, responsive, and applications optimized for Retina look amazing on it. Most applications not currently optimized for Retina will be getting updates over the next couple of months, so that is not big concern either.
If you can wait, wait.
Right now, it's great, but it's the first of its kind. In 2013, it will be perfect.
Like the Macbook Air - the first model was good for a thin laptop, but was lacking in some fields (especially hardware). Now, it's pretty much the perfect consumer notebook and is actually as good as the 13" Pro for just about everything but user-upgradeability.
Right now, it's great, but it's the first of its kind. In 2013, it will be perfect.
Like the Macbook Air - the first model was good for a thin laptop, but was lacking in some fields (especially hardware). Now, it's pretty much the perfect consumer notebook and is actually as good as the 13" Pro for just about everything but user-upgradeability.
Yes, I own one. There are lots of good things about it. But to pretend its perfect is just silly and not doing anyone else a favor.
I completely agree with this. Especially 2 years down the road. I think the Retina display will command a high resale value compared to a non-retina display because more people will want this once word gets out and people see it with their own two eyes. Yes, technology will keep improving every year but retina is a big enough change and there is not likely going to be another differentiating change bigger than retina within the next couple years.
That's good to hear. I'm curious how do you distribute your usage now that you have a MBP 15 and a RMBP? I can imagine the RMBP is getting all of the attention.
I agree with this but there will probably be a subset of people who will still want the classic chassis for whatever reason in the next 18-24 months.
I still wanted one... but I'm weird.
After that, no way. Retina is the future and I cannot wait for what they have when I'm in the market for a new laptop (Aside from the fact that i'll be a few years older).
I had NO reason other than price to not get the retina. However, in the past few weeks I managed to gather the right funds to get the retina and with higher specs than usual. Price is the only stranglehold that I can think of that held me back on launch date. Certainly, if you use the DVD drive and Ethernet port, you can avoid this computer... but I got the accessories because it is worth the extra money for what you get in this next generation Macbook Pro.
But even if you save up and upgrade the base classic to 8gb ram and 256gb ssd you're spending the same price or darn close. So why not get the new hotness instead?
I was in this boat
I still use the firewire/ethernet/optical drive but still
I could not make my mind up at all.. the retina was just so sweet!
but then i was like
"i will feel like a tremendous moron if i have this gorgeous computer and i'm carrying around all this extraneous crap"
and it's plugged into an IPS display most of the time
resale value made me hesitate a bit, but i'm hoping there will be a market for a computer w/ 32gb of ram (once 16gb sodimms come out) and a terabyte SSD (once those aren't absurdly expensive).
Wishful thinking, probably. As you can see I'm still trying to justify going with the classic but it was so much more practical for me.
I still can't help but feel like I "settled" but I'll get over it and eagerly await future updates.
Good point. I actually did the math back then and found out I saved little to none getting a non-Retina Macbook Pro because I wanted to upgrade to 16 GB of RAM and an SSD on the non-Retina model. So I was happy to go Retina when I had the money.
I know what you mean. I had to argue a little with myself to pay extra for all these accessories. However, in my case I don't use Firewire and I barely ever use the optical drive. So the only accessory I can see taking is the thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter, and it is small anyway.
I don't think that's an entirely fair analogy. The first MBA required some pretty extreme compromises in order to meet the form factor. The rMBP is the fastest, most powerful laptop Apple makes. There will be some improvements next year (and probably some software improvements on the current model as well), but not the same kind of leap forward.