How good of a LAPtop does the rMB make?

[Eric-PTEK]

Emphasis on LAP.

I'd pick up a rMB that would mostly be used around the house or when traveling. I looked at one at the store and my concern is its too light, too narrow to be used on the lap.

I work on a rMB Pro 13" now and the heft does help a bit in keeping it planted on your lap.

Another place it would be used is in data centers and at customer sites so a lot of times I'm propping something up sometimes precariously where there is room. I'd be concerned about even the weight of an ethernet cable and dongle plugged in pulling it over.

A light tug which may not budge a heavier laptop but something feather weight might move it quite a bit.

 

[shenan1982]

Emphasis on LAP.

I'd pick up a rMB that would mostly be used around the house or when traveling. I looked at one at the store and my concern is its too light, too narrow to be used on the lap.

I work on a rMB Pro 13" now and the heft does help a bit in keeping it planted on your lap.

Another place it would be used is in data centers and at customer sites so a lot of times I'm propping something up sometimes precariously where there is room. I'd be concerned about even the weight of an ethernet cable and dongle plugged in pulling it over.

A light tug which may not budge a heavier laptop but something feather weight might move it quite a bit.

It's light, but not a feather. It's not going to just fall off your lap. If you've used an Air 11 or Air 13, the experience\feel is almost identical.

 

[Theophil1971]

Works great on my lap.
I will say - I'm using it on my lap in a completely wireless way, so far. I charge it on my night-stand at night, and then use it sans charging/data cables during the day. So, sitting on my lap, there are currently no cables, wires, or dongles weighing it down or dragging it away.
You mention ethernet - is there even an ethernet adaptor?
I bought this because prior to its release, my usage was already consistent with its design goals (as stated at the Keynote). I don't plug into Ethernet (I use WiFi or tethering). I don't plug into external monitors (I use AirPlay streaming if I need to project something on a bigger display). I don't use USB drives (I use AirDrop for file transfers between iOS or OS X devices). That's how I've been working for some time, before this particular Mac came along, so it worked for me.
Other people, however, need more power, cabled connections and ports. This may not, therefore, be the best computer for those people. If you need to plug ethernet in, I'd say that the rMB isn't the machine for you...

 

[legioxi]

You mention ethernet - is there even an ethernet adaptor?

USB-C -> USB-A -> Gigabit Ethernet Adapter (any USB variant with Mac drivers will work)

 

[newellj]

I can only give you my subjective experience from this week. I have been using it on a commuter train. I don't have any feeling that it's going to tip over or that it's unstable, compared to my 13" rMBP. On the other hand, I do feel like the slightly smaller size is a little less likely to get snagged by someone walking by, which is always a concern of mine (although I admit I've rarely seen it happen and never seen a catastrophic fall).

 

[maflynn]

How's the heat on your legs (if any). I found that my rMBP gets very warm, so much so I don't use it on my lap any longer.

 

[newellj]

How's the heat on your legs (if any). I found that my rMBP gets very warm, so much so I don't use it on my lap any longer.

I had actually expected that to be the question, based on the subject line. I did some comparative testing yesterday (results posted in a separate thread) that included running the rMB at roughly 91*C (which I think is HOT) for 25 minutes. I measured the temperature of the case at 86*F on the palm rests, 92*-97* on the back/bottom, and 100*F on the speaker grill. So, barely above body temperature, and then only on the speaker grill.

 

[Hankster]

How's the heat on your legs (if any). I found that my rMBP gets very warm, so much so I don't use it on my lap any longer.

Saturday I used my rMB for five hours straight on my lap and I felt only a light warmth as with any laptop. I was also wearing shorts

Unless the machine is being pushed non-stop it doesn't get hot. I've been using Photoshop and edit .raw files since Thursday (along with the norm).

 

[Wick12]

Good information here, I too am looking to mainly use my rMB on my lap. Glad to hear that heat doesn't seem to be an issue, cannot wait for it to arrive on Tuesday!

 

[koshper]

How's the heat on your legs (if any). I found that my rMBP gets very warm, so much so I don't use it on my lap any longer.

Which model/year have you got?

 

[iRun26.2]

Good information here, I too am looking to mainly use my rMB on my lap. Glad to hear that heat doesn't seem to be an issue, cannot wait for it to arrive on Tuesday!

I am really glad to hear about the lack of heat. That is my main worry with the computer. I'm waiting for the 1.3GHz. I hope it's not hotter than the others. It's a long wait.

 

[xmichaelp]

I am really glad to hear about the lack of heat. That is my main worry with the computer. I'm waiting for the 1.3GHz. I hope it's not hotter than the others. It's a long wait.

The 1.2 and 1.3 are cooler than the 1.1