Early Hands-On Impression and Overview of Retina MacBook Pro

[CASLondon]

I have 4GB RAM of my Mac Pro I run Adobe CS6 without issues. Although I plan to upgrade soon. But 4GB is hardly "VERY weak" as you put it.

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You can RUN CS6 with that. And maybe do a simple job. But big photoshop jobs will test that very very quickly, forget about After Effects or something like that . 4 gigs is too light as far as I can tell.

 

[Jasoco]

I won't be buying this model, but I do look forward to the Retina display making its way into the 13" Pro and Air. Especially the Air, or the Pro if the 13" version of this new Pro paradigm is light enough and cheap enough. For now I'm curious about how Retina works. I can't wait to play with it in a store.

Someone had listed the "perceivable resolutions" you can set it to. 1920x1200, 1680x1050, 1280x800 and 1024x640. But I think you missed one. The only one that's a solid whole number division of the full resolution and the current resolution of the 13" Air. 1440x900. So I assume that is another option. I assume actually that 1440x900 is the "default" perceivable resolution as it's exactly half the full res. So that gives us 5 different sizes to choose between. (Going by the screenshot that includes 5 choices. 1440x900 is right in the middle.) But someone mentioned that there are performance issues? Is this correct? If I were to set my res to 1680x1050, it's going to slow down? Or is there not solid evidence yet?

I made some "template" images for myself to view at full size on my Air's 13" screen to see if the text in the menubar would be too small to read. And 1680x1050 is just small enough to give me a lot of room but not so small that I can't read the text. So that's pretty neat. I put them up here if you want to try them. Just Open the folder, select the images and press Space to quicklook, then press the fullscreen button and it will resize them to fill the screen. Press left and right to switch between them. Gives you a great idea of how small elements might be on your display. If you have a 15" right now, it'll be exact. I have a 13" and am just working on assumption that the 13" Retina model will have similar settings. ("Perceivable resolutions")

 

[Reach9]

Image

LOL that cracked me up, it's so true though! We need to spread this message because god it looks hilarious.

Regarding the new MBP, i love it. But i'll be keeping my 13" until it transfers over to the Next Generation, which i'm expecting next year along with the iMac.

Also, didn't Intel say they were making chips that could allow laptops to have battery life of 24 hours?

 

[twoodcc]

I'm really considering getting one

 

[KDNYC]

Much higher. Much. When I got my 2nd laptop, around 1996, their were two lines. High end was the PB 5xxx and started at over $5000, IIRC. Low end was the PB 1400 and mine cost $3500. If I had been paying, I wouldn't have got one at all.

Add in inflation since then and be pleased with current pricing.

The PB 170 cost $4600 when released. I had one (paid $10 for it in 2000 to use for notes & email, and it still worked great.) My Wallstreet G3 was around $3000 when I bought it new in 98... Probably one of a few Apple machines I've purchased new instead of used or refurb. I later sold it to finance a move.

 

[IanGahagan]

You mean you *saved up* for it and didn't just take a giant student loan to pay for it? What kind of student are you?

Unlike a lot of students I save my money and spend it on the things I only need, and yes, that's paying it in full 2600 with the student discount. It may sound impossible but I'm planing on graduating with no debt.

 

[steve-p]

Unlike a lot of students I save my money and spend it on the things I only need, and yes, that's paying it in full 2600 with the student discount. It may sound impossible but I'm planing on graduating with no debt.

Good for you Debt cycle is easy to get into but harder to get out of.

 

[Billywiz1307]

Don't forget we have to 20% VAT. The sales tax in the US is I believe around 5-10%.

If like me you're VAT registered, you only look at the price less VAT which is much more competitive.

I too buy all my gadgetry via the company but notwithstanding the VAT element, the underlying VAT exclusive price is still high by comparison to the US or Canada. The reason could be this - I once tried to bring in some Bose kit from the US and discovered that not only do the UK levy VAT, they also apply a 14% duty charge onto the goods price which collectively is then due to 20% VAT.

 

[calaverasgrande]

That's what employers are for.
Who cares? The 13" is for college kids. The only feature that matters is the apple on the lid.

Actually, for outside Sales and Journos we supply them with 13" MBPs at my job. I guess some people can actually feel the difference of a pound? I prefer the 15 (or 17", RIP) but the 13" certainly isn't for college kids only.

 

[thekev]

Mac Pro's were stealth updated.

They were stealth updated with the same component generations. The W3565 in the base model now is from 2009. Intel cut the price in half on that cpu long ago, and Apple after all this time finally passed on the savings. How generous of them. These aren't Sandy Bridge E versions with updated features, and it's not an issue of waiting for Ivy. Workstation and server boards always span two generations. The Ivy chipsets for this socket are the same as those used in Sandy Bridge E, much like Nehalem and Westmere. Note that they still use both Nehalem and Westmere cpus in that lineup. I kind of figured they'd let it slip until late summer as Dell and HP are showing July. That they updated here means no further updates are coming for a long time.

I think the taper is a bad design choice, I'm glad they decided to leave the form factor along and just shrink the thickness. The MacBook Pro and iPhone 4 are currently the nicest designs Johnny and his team have ever created.

I never liked the taper. It was gimmicky to a degree. They wanted to make the thinnest laptop possible, and they designed around that concept.

That's why you buy upgrades separately. You pay like double the "Apple tax" for RAM and HD upgrades.

All oems actually do this. You're essentially paying them for the part + markup + configuration.

Yea I guess the quad core i7, 8GB RAM (upgradable to 16GB), backlit keyboard, etc. aren't "pro features."

See this chipset supports 32GB, but this means you can't update it down the line. As for cpu cores, that's a moving target. A few years back dual cpu cores were a higher end product even on desktops.

I have 4GB RAM of my Mac Pro I run Adobe CS6 without issues. Although I plan to upgrade soon. But 4GB is hardly "VERY weak" as you put it.

If you're dealing with any big files, you'll find that things are more responsive when it doesn't have to deal with scratch disks at all. The difference can be noticeable. You should also keep in mind that 3.5" HDDs can be a lot faster than those found in laptops when it comes to handling paged data.

This is an okay reference even though their file sizes are quite exaggerated. A 6-10k image with many layers really isn't uncommon though, especially in advertising, and the difference in responsiveness is incredible when very little information is accessed outside of ram. If they're dealing with CG or video editing, ram can affect things in different ways. Overall 32 bit applications really did force you to work a certain way by making any workflows that addressed large data less practical.

 

[kbrening]

MagSafe 2 = Planned Obsolescence

Why change the MagSafe Connector in the first place?
The "MagSafe 2" is a _prime_ example of Apple simply changing things (yet again) for no need whatsoever. The 1st generation MagSafe is _exactly_ the same height of a normal USB port, and Apple has included several USB ports on their new machines (right next to the power supply), so why do we need a "thinner and longer" power connector anyhow?

All this will do is make your previously-purchased power connectors incompatible (without using the new $10. adapter). Remember: the MAIN DRAWBACK in the first place is when it's tugged just a bit too hard it comes undone! Same thing when accidentally pressed against your legs! Now add an extra 1/2" adapter onto the setup and I'll bet it comes undone more often than it stays put! I ask you: "Why?"

Why has the form factor been changed at all? Standard USB is _exactly_ the same height as the existing MagSafe, and they didn't change those (to mini or micro) so it can't be an issue of "height"...

This is yet another example of Apple changing things simply to make their products incompatible with older generations. It's called "planned obsolescence", and was pioneered by the auto industry. I own at least six power adapters, and now they're all useless without a $10. adapter? WHY? Also add non-upgradeable memory (and internal storage), and you have the least-upgradeable MBP Apple has ever made in it's entire history!

I have a 2008 MBP that has ALL necessary connections built right into the machine itself (with no adapters necessary): MagSafe, Ethernet (a _must have_), dual USB 2's, FW800, FW400, full-size DVI, discreet headphone & microphone input (both optically compatible), plus a PCI card slot that I use as a multi-card slot (which for $20. reads SD, MemoryStick, and more), PLUS an 18x SuperDrive. Similar battery life and a REAL (not chicklet) backlit keyboard round out what I personally would call a _real road warrior_!!! No adapters necessary (even though Apple included DVI to VGA for free)...

What more could you _possibly_ ask for in a portable? This latest MBP is _not_ an "upgrade", it's a regression. This is only a way for Apple to suck more money out of your pockets. If only Steve were still alive today, he'd probably be rolling over about right now... All of this has happened over just the past 4 years? "25% thinner and a faster processor with very few ports"-- Are you kidding me? This is a radical "improvement" that somehow makes up for everything else we've lost in the transition?

Call me "Old-School", but I want my "Swiss Army Knife" of an Apple MBP back!!!
__________________
Make love, not war....

 

[CodexMonkey]

My two cents on your trolling....

First of all, the fact that one could buy this today and, as we have done for a decade or so, immediately buy third party ram upgrades, and then find out what was NOT made clear AT ALL on the Apple store website - not possible. So to feel like we're a pro by your standards, we then go and ebay a two week old computer, and take the several hundred pound hit before buying a new one within the month to run the software we use.

Upgradability and customisation has been crucial to the computer using experience. One can keep a mac useable professionally for 4-5 years easily, vs the older 2-4 years Windows cycle.

Two grand is a significant portion of income in a year even if you're doing well financially.

Some of us resent paying 50 percent premiums on ram because they come from apple.

Some of us especially resent the change in the upgradeability of the machines being completely non-obvious when you go to buy this thing from the Apple online store.

Some of us have built screaming machines to use in film and tv productions with these 3rd party extra parts. Some of us prefer the superior SSDs available from other vendors. Or building boot disk SSD raids inside our 17" MPB.

Ebaying a MBP is an exercise in caution, as its the most common magnet for scammers and timewasters as well as legitimate customers. Search through these forums for variations on the ebay experience, even if most of them work out.

As for your last comment about working two shifts, it makes no sense as its the fact that those who want the upgrade paths DON"T want to have to buy the latest shiniest shoes every year, but keep the old ones snappy by changing internals as they come down in cost.

But stay stupid.

My argument was aimed at those saying that the Retina Macbook Pro is NOT a Pro machine because it is not upgradeable and hardly trolling. Ending a post with "Stay Stupid", however, that could be classed as trolling.

By definition, a Pro Machine is a machine capable of helping a Pro do their work at the point at which it is sold which, given the inherent power within the MBP-R, is a given. It has nothing whatsoever to do with upgradeability.

Your first paragraph makes no sense. If you’re spending 2k without checking the upgrade options (or lack thereof) out first then you deserve to take a big hit. Maybe you’ll learn then and not do it again? I mean, you’d thoroughly check out a car you bought for as little as 1k, no?, but you’d expect someone else to force-feed you every drop of info before spending over 2k of your hard-earned just so you can just buy blindly and not have to check ANYTHING out? O...Kay.

I also agree with your comment about it NOT being properly highlighted by Apple but, yet again, it does not make the MBP-R less of a Pro machine. Spending 2k? Do some research.

Upgradeability and customisation are NOT crucial to making a Pro machine and never have been. They’re an added benefit on some machines and, if they ARE crucial to your business, as indeed they are to some, then buy a standard MBP or a Mac Pro or sell and renew each year or two. It does not mean that the MBP-R is suddenly not a Pro machine. It’s rarely ESSENTIAL to upgrade your machine within a two/three year period, it’s what you WANT to do, not what you NEED to do, hence the "new sneakers" comment. In many instances, a true pro can make an eight year old machine running eight year old software dance and sing.

£2k per annum IS a lot of money, but as explained it WON’T be anything like £2k as you would simply "sell on" the "old" machine. Your comment about eBay can be true, but I did not mean exclusively eBay. There are many other sales or trade-in channels out there and the cost - as I explained - to upgrade will come in at MUCH less than 2k which, to run (or work for) a pro business, should be TOP of your expenditure list and fully budgeted for. Like you’d budget for bus fares, petrol, or electricity. If you consider yourself a "Computer-Based Pro" and didn’t budget for (varying degrees of) computer upgrades or swap-grades over a 1-2-3 year period then more fool you. It’s a primary tool for earning your money.

I agree with the comment on Apple’s RAM prices but again, it does not make the MBP-R less of a Pro machine. It just, quite rightly, cheeses people off.

You have a CHOICE of machines from Apple, and the inability to "build boot disk SSD raids" does not mean that the MBP-R is suddenly not a Pro machine. It just means that, of the Pro machines currently available, this one is not suitable for you.

As for your "Stay Stupid" comment. A) Uncalled for and therefore, B) Yes... please do. It’s entertaining.

 

[afawcett]

Have u seen it? I guess obviously NO, coz the new display isn't reflective as the old one.

i have seen it. it's better but it doesn't come close to the matte finish.

 

[JAT]

What more could you _possibly_ ask for in a portable? This latest MBP is _not_ an "upgrade", it's a regression. This is only a way for Apple to suck more money out of your pockets. If only Steve were still alive today, he'd probably be rolling over about right now... All of this has happened over just the past 4 years? "25% thinner and a faster processor with very few ports"-- Are you kidding me? This is a radical "improvement" that somehow makes up for everything else we've lost in the transition?

Call me "Old-School", but I want my "Swiss Army Knife" of an Apple MBP back!!!
__________________
Make love, not war....

Seriously, go to the Apple Store online. Click on Macbook Pro, then on Select a Macbook Pro. Then, click on ONE OF THE MODELS ON THE LEFT!!

 

[calaverasgrande]

Speaking as a former IT helpdesk guy at an all Mac company. I think I know why they ditched the ethernet. about half of our MBPs at my old job had a skewed ethernet port. We started calling them "parallelogramed" Macs. As the port would keep its left and right side straight, but the top and bottom sides would be bent quite easily. I can imagine the conversation at 1 infinite Loop. Probably started off with discussion of how to strengthen the structurally weakest part of the MBP, then someone says, "why not get rid of the ethernet?" . After a round of laughter someone pipes in with "we can sell adapters!". And the end of ethernet on the new MBP's was a done deal.
As far as the magsafe2 jazz, it's transparently an excuse to induce churn in the Mac market. There is no reason mag safe needs to be narrower. It's already narrower than USB!
That said I'll probably buy a MBPR to tide me over until a new Mac Pro comes out.

 

[Renzatic]

If I see one more of these "I do not approve of this, Steve would be SOOO MAD" posts, I'm going to find out where the Macrumors servers are being held, and throw rocks at them.