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Help between rMB and rMBP.

T

timmy12cs12

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 1, 2015
4
0
Hi everyone,

First off, sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I am new to MAC and have yet to make the leap from Windows to Mac OS. After seeing the reveal of the new MacBook my breathe was taken away, considering I've never owned one before I was instantly captivated by it's design and portability.

Now, I currently reside in Australia where believe it or not- both the new MacBook and updated MacBook 13' Pro are the same price at $1799! I cannot decide which one would give me the best experience. To be honest, my needs are quite basic and have a powerful PC for games and anything else productive I need to do, and a Surface 2 tablet as well.

My main intention for my new purchase will be:
Web browsing
Youtube
Basic research and reading
Perhaps very basic games?
Email
and just learning about the MAC software.

I'm torn between what I should purchase!!

Does anyone have any feedback or advice on what route to go? I just think the rMBP would be over-kill- but at the same price point it has made the decision harder.

Thanks for your time.

Tim.
 
Unless you really need the lightweight, compact size of the rMB, the rMBP will provide you with a more flexible user experience. It may or may not matter to you, but the rMB makes some concessions in order to be as compact as it is. In addition, you might find that you don't like the new, short-travel keyboard on the rMB. I'd suggest trying the two of them side by side in a store if at all possible. Having said that, given the uses you've outlined, you'd possibly be happy with either. The rMB is a sexy little thing but the rMBP is a very satisfying computer to use and own, too.
 
Hey Newell,

Thanks for your prompt response. :)

You make a good point of trying out both side by side, believe it or not I didn't really think to do this- instead I was trying to make a decision based on pictures, videos and info seen on the Apple website and throughout the website and YouTube.

With whatever one I choose I cannot wait, I'm excited.

Thanks again,

Tim.
 
I avoid their first generation models like the plague. In your situation, I would personally go with the rmbp. It's still quite light. Also I would avoid the macbook for even very basic games unless you mean something like browser games. I would even avoid it with older games. It's just not very powerful. The 13" rmbp still isn't that powerful, but it's probably enough for 30 fps on lighter games at low to medium settings. It might do a little better or worse. I would check barefeats though for some rough benchmarks.
 
timmy12cs12 said:
Hi everyone,

First off, sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I am new to MAC and have yet to make the leap from Windows to Mac OS. After seeing the reveal of the new MacBook my breathe was taken away, considering I've never owned one before I was instantly captivated by it's design and portability.

Now, I currently reside in Australia where believe it or not- both the new MacBook and updated MacBook 13' Pro are the same price at $1799! I cannot decide which one would give me the best experience. To be honest, my needs are quite basic and have a powerful PC for games and anything else productive I need to do, and a Surface 2 tablet as well.

My main intention for my new purchase will be:
Web browsing
Youtube
Basic research and reading
Perhaps very basic games?
Email
and just learning about the MAC software.

I'm torn between what I should purchase!!

Does anyone have any feedback or advice on what route to go? I just think the rMBP would be over-kill- but at the same price point it has made the decision harder.

Thanks for your time.

Tim.
Click to expand...

The benchmarks are out on the rMB and its slower than the iPad Air 2. Get the rMBP, its the same price and offers a larger display, much better CPU/GPU, multiple ports and a real webcam.
 
dexterbell said:
The benchmarks are out on the rMB and its slower than the iPad Air 2. Get the rMBP, its the same price and offers a larger display, much better CPU/GPU, multiple ports and a real webcam.
Click to expand...

Can you give me a link to the rMB benchmarks? I didn't think it had been released yet?
 
timmy12cs12 said:
My main intention for my new purchase will be:
Web browsing
Youtube
Basic research and reading
Perhaps very basic games?
Email
and just learning about the MAC software.
Click to expand...

Based on these use scenarios - 12" rMB is tailor-made for you.
 
ctyrider said:
Based on these use scenarios - 12" rMB is tailor-made for you.
Click to expand...

Exactly, i cant think of anyone the new macbook would be more perfect for.

I am a comp engineer grad student, and have used MBA for stretches as my portable dev machine without any issues. MB would be more than sufficient for OP's needs.
 
HardBall said:
Exactly, i cant think of anyone the new macbook would be more perfect for.

I am a comp engineer grad student, and have used MBA for stretches as my portable dev machine without any issues. MB would be more than sufficient for OP's needs.
Click to expand...

MjLvwJ7xi5jna.gif
 
I think the only real risk is buyer's remorse. Even if the rMB functions absolutely perfectly for the OP's needs, which I think is likely, there's a very good chance that the v2 or v3 rMB will introduce features that - while not necessarily needed - make owners feel that they wish theirs had the latest features. It's just a human thing. :eek: I don't know whether the 2015 rMB is more like the original iPad or the 2008 MBA, but I am pretty sure the next revision or two will make some noticeable changes. Having said that, OP, I'm nearly certain I'm going to buy one of these so don't take that as trying to discourage you - just don't want you to be surprised when (if) it happens.
 
newellj said:
I think the only real risk is buyer's remorse. Even if the rMB functions absolutely perfectly for the OP's needs, which I think is likely, there's a very good chance that the v2 or v3 rMB will introduce features that - while not necessarily needed - make owners feel that they wish theirs had the latest features.
Click to expand...

You mean like multiple ports and a better CPU? The things so many who can't wait to buy a rMB claim they don't need or even want? They should have no buyers remorse if its something they truly don't want right? Unless they are just trying to convince themselves they don't want them to justify their purchase...
 
All I see here in threads about the new rMB is blah blah blah about the CPU.

Shall I tell you a little secret;

I bet the majority of the Macbook users do not even know what CPU stands for.
Get the point?
 
dexterbell said:
You mean like multiple ports and a better CPU? The things so many who can't wait to buy a rMB claim they don't need or even want? They should have no buyers remorse if its something they truly don't want right? Unless they are just trying to convince themselves they don't want them to justify their purchase...
Click to expand...

Yes, that is what I mean and no, it doesn't change my guesstimation about what most people actually use, never mind need. Go ahead and be cynical - Apple needs to have some plausibly attractive changes in their back pocket to justify trying to sell a different model some time in the next 6-18 months, right? ;) Let's just hope they jettison that archaic headphone jack. :eek:
 
newellj said:
Yes, that is what I mean and no, it doesn't change my guesstimation about what most people actually use, never mind need. Go ahead and be cynical - Apple needs to have some plausibly attractive changes in their back pocket to justify trying to sell a different model some time in the next 6-18 months, right? ;) Let's just hope they jettison that archaic headphone jack. :eek:
Click to expand...

Knowing Apple, they will bump the camera to 720p and bump the clock speed to 1.3Ghz :p
 
Thanks everybody for your replies, it's been good to hear from knowledgeable users.
 
with your requirements the MB will fit you without any problems. I currently use a 2010 Macbook Air that has not even half the power of the new Core-M CPU and I do all the stuff you described. I also play Hearthstone without a problem on my Air all the time. So no worries that the Core-M won't handle it.
Your requirements are basically what this machine was build for by Apple.
 
timmy12cs12 said:
Hi everyone,

First off, sorry if this is in the wrong section.

I am new to MAC and have yet to make the leap from Windows to Mac OS. After seeing the reveal of the new MacBook my breathe was taken away, considering I've never owned one before I was instantly captivated by it's design and portability.

Now, I currently reside in Australia where believe it or not- both the new MacBook and updated MacBook 13' Pro are the same price at $1799! I cannot decide which one would give me the best experience. To be honest, my needs are quite basic and have a powerful PC for games and anything else productive I need to do, and a Surface 2 tablet as well.

My main intention for my new purchase will be:
Web browsing
Youtube
Basic research and reading
Perhaps very basic games?
Email
and just learning about the MAC software.

I'm torn between what I should purchase!!

Does anyone have any feedback or advice on what route to go? I just think the rMBP would be over-kill- but at the same price point it has made the decision harder.

Thanks for your time.

Tim.
Click to expand...

You mentioned games - rMBP.
 
dexterbell said:
Knowing Apple, they will bump the camera to 720p and bump the clock speed to 1.3Ghz :p
Click to expand...

Quite possible. Depending on what tea leaves they think they're reading, maybe the audio jack goes away and it gets a second USB C port. Probably unlikely, but it'd be far more useful to me, since the utility of the audio jack is exactly 0.000% - for me.

The camera's a non-issue for me. If I was ever worth looking at in 720p or higher, it was quite a while back. ;)
 
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