I May Have to Return rMBP 13inch and Go for Different MB & iPad; Help :)

[cocacolakid]

As for the cMBP, I love the HDD option, but hate the weight...

The cMBP 13" is just under 1lb heavier. It's not like we're talking about a huge difference. If the cMBP fulfills your needs, then buy the cMBP.

I can't believe how ridiculous many of the posts on this site have become. It's a never ending parade of: "My SSD boots 5 seconds slower than I think it should." "I want xyz but do I really have to settle for xyx?" "You don't know me or my needs but tell me exactly what will make me happy, then I'll argue that you're wrong and we'll spend 50 replies counter-arguing."

 

[sectime]

I started this thread wanting to hear all angles. Let me ask you, how much would this cost?

The other thread you started and received some good advice about which MBP to buy wasn't enough? You ignored the advice there and want a do over??

 

[GoCubsGo]

Can we discuss why you'd feel like you need to take a computer on a date?

 

[HappyDude20]

Ah.... I am getting my rMBP 13" tomorrow.
And I am comming from a 2 month old MBA (now I am using it as a slide show device for pics...)
The MBA was a i7 2.0, 256GB and 8Gb of Ram, as a ultra portable I didnt think I would need much space... in fact I dont think I will be needing much space with the new rMBP BUT 128Gb is a little... cramped.

I approched the problem just like the OP... didnt want the 15" rMBP, too big to carry around, and when it was announced they didnt offer a 13" rMBP... So I seattled for the Air.
I have to admit tho the retina screen is gorgeous! I haven't actually played with the rMBP 13" but from what I gathered the screen is amazing.

And here is the configuration I got it with
i7 2.9GHz
and kept the 128Gb SSD
Came to $1900 with corporate discount.

And here is ma contribution to the OP, check this out!
This can help with your home made movies and pics... I am not a HDD kinda guy either!

http://theniftyminidrive.com/

You just boosted your SSD by 50%

I did notice the nifty mini drive. I think its a great concept, though at the end of the day my focus isn't too happy about the $1700 on just the rMBP 13in I spent. Truth is, I shouldn't be spending any money at all...but I do like my Apple toys.

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Well, tax will have an affect on the prices.

i5 13" MBP - $1000(I see this in the Fry's ad all the time)
256GB Samsung 830 SSD - $170(These were recently on sale for $150)
16GB Corsair RAM - $90(I'm sure you could find some for less if you shopped around)
HDD caddy - $10(Amazon.com, I actually think they're less than this)

Add another $100 if you want to replace the 500GB HDD that comes with the stock config with a 1TB drive.

*edit* The only issue I can't address with this setup is the weight, but honestly some sacrifices have to be made somewhere and this is the direction I'd be leaning. My MBP stays home unless I'm going on trips anyway. If I had an iPad mini, I'd likely take it EVERYWHERE even though I've already got an iPhone.

This seems like a nice setup, and I would need to calculate the total cost overall and the weight of it too. Even going back to 4.5lbs or 5lbs isn't the end of the world to me...but in all honesty, I'm currently typing this from the rMBP 13inch outside on campus and its just such a pleasure to carry around. It's not heavy at all and don't feel bogged down...which is something of importance when I recall the times running to a moving train in China. Again, not the biggest issue... but I do fall in the camp of considering the weight.

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I don't know, but really, I would consider a refurbished 13" Air, no iPad and then rethink what you keep on your laptop and why. I am willing to be you do not need all that content all the time. Then, we a nice NAS or even a USB drive connected to an AEBS you can have your stuff whenever you are home without having to plug in an external drive.

To me this splits the difference for your needs. Light weight, portability, nice screen and enough storage to take what you NEED, not everything you MIGHT NEED.

I am considering a refurbished Air as well. Reason is cause I love the weight... not the biggest fan of the lack of a black bezel, but thats not even an issue. I was playing with both the 11 and 13inch Air's today and can notice the lack of Retina...but I suppose I can make it work.

As for the iPad situation... I need to wait and play with a Mini in store on Friday to see if I would keep my 3rd gen iPad or go for the Mini. The advantages I see for the mini are only the weight... and disadvantages being lack of Retina, old specs, etc.

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I've got a 6 week old 13" MBP with the 256GB SSD that came with it.

I've also got a 256GB SSD Intel 520 Series that I've been considering adding to my configuration lately.

In other words, all it'll cost you is $90 for your 16GB RAM & around $50 for either your OWC or your OptiBay data doubler...if you swap with me.

Are you really not happy with the 13 rMBP so far? I was so darn frustrated when I saw that the 13" version had come out, not 2 weeks after my return period ended!

Of course one of the things I like the best about the rMBP is the dual Thunderbolt slots, b/c I've had a crazy time trying to get the 13" MBP to run dual monitors, along with the laptop screen itself, whenever I'm in the office. Apparently it's a Mountain Lion/Displaylink driver issue, so it'll eventually get resolved, but it's still some kind of frustrating!

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Did you get one of those $10 HDD caddy's from Amazon yourself, by any chance?

I saw those on there the other day & was tempted to get one, I mean at $10 why not anyway I guess, but then I read some reviews where people were complaining that they weren't even getting the same caddy that was shown in the picture & it wasn't fitting anywhere near the way some of the other reviewers were saying. Like I said, I guess at that price it's worth it to find out though, I wasn't sure how they compared to the OWC or the OptiBay versions.

I'm happy with this rMBP 13inch, but the price stings admittedly.. especially for a college student in debt.

As mentioned above, I shouldn't be spending money period...but I did have an $1199 Apple gift card which I believe I will end up doing is return the rMBP... get an Apple gift card (varying depending if I like the iPad mini) and use that gift card to get a refurbished Air from the Apple site... in what configuration is another topic... but 256GB sounds nice.

 

[MagicThief83]

You taking a MBP or iPad with you on a date is a sure way to give the message that you're more interested with what's in your bag than in between the girl's legs - HUGE TURN OFF! For the love of God, learn some swag!

 

[HappyDude20]

Unfortunately, no. I actually use my optical drive, so I haven't pulled mine out yet. I've seen several people on here mention them and figured for $10(they're closer to $12 right now) I could take the chance. Amazon also has a great returns policy if you buy from them, but it looks like they're mostly being sold by 3rd party sellers right now.

If there is a significant amount of weight reduction with this then it sounds much more appealing for a cMBP.

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You taking a MBP or iPad with you on a date is a sure way to give the message that you're more interested with what's in your bag than in between the girl's legs - HUGE TURN OFF! For the love of God, learn some swag!

lol. Trust me. Sex isn't an obstacle simply because I tag along an laptop.

Ooh! You think I have a MacBook on me throughout the date????

lol, no. But I do normally carry something and throw it in the car, especially if i'm traveling further than expected or know I wont be returning home the same night.

It happens. Frequently.

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Reading A4 sized PDFs on an iPad Mini can't be anywhere near as good as on a fullsize retina iPad.

I remember reading articles for school on the iPad2 and the iPad3. The extra resolution helped make text a lot more legible, and vastly reduced the need to zoom.

I haven't tried the Mini, but I just can't imagine going from reading A4 PDFs on the retina iPad to a both lower resolution and smaller screen.

I agree the reading may not be as great. Honestly, it probably wont be. Hell, the answer is no. It won't... But I do find the appeal in the huge weight reduction and honestly I feel the need to have an iPad of sorts. I've purchased quite a bit of apps that are valuable to me. I'm not a gamer by any means. Productivity is the name of the game.

(Said the guy on MacRumors when he should be studying at the library for his two midterms tomorrow)

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I'm a 6'3" male and use an 11" Air. Love the thing. I may get made fun of by middle school girls, but I don't let it bother me.

okay, so i'm glad you wrote this.

Cause honestly i love the weight of the 11inch, though to some degree feel the screen size too small. But an 11inch with 256GB's sounds appealing. Its like a 13inch Air but more portable... and if its not obvious yet, I'm huge on portability.

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The cMBP 13" is just under 1lb heavier. It's not like we're talking about a huge difference. If the cMBP fulfills your needs, then buy the cMBP.

I can't believe how ridiculous many of the posts on this site have become. It's a never ending parade of: "My SSD boots 5 seconds slower than I think it should." "I want xyz but do I really have to settle for xyx?" "You don't know me or my needs but tell me exactly what will make me happy, then I'll argue that you're wrong and we'll spend 50 replies counter-arguing."

You're right. At the end of the day I know Apple products have good resale value.

I'll most likely return the 13inch rMBP...get a gift card to purchase a refurbished Air online... and make an iPad Mini purchase if I feel its worth it.

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The other thread you started and received some good advice about which MBP to buy wasn't enough? You ignored the advice there and want a do over??

I don't even remember the other thread. That's how deep in this I am.

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Can we discuss why you'd feel like you need to take a computer on a date?

I'm addicted.

To what?

I dunno, everything.

The internet, apps, iMessage...in case one device dies., etc.

 

[A Hebrew]

Get an 11 air. If you think the ipad 2 is too heavy, I think you should spend some time in the gym though..(or pretend the MBA is a dumbbell)

 

[HappyDude20]

Get an 11 air. If you think the ipad 2 is too heavy, I think you should spend some time in the gym though..(or pretend the MBA is a dumbbell)

Haha, im currently in class with the rMBP. The screen is awesome. Now, I say this and everyone has Apple products. I'm counting 12 in this discussion. 8 are MacBook Pro 13inch (non-retina). 2 are iPads (both w/ bluetooth cases) and 2 are Air's, both 11inch...and both by girls, lol.

(The things I notice)

 

[T5BRICK]

This seems like a nice setup, and I would need to calculate the total cost overall and the weight of it too. Even going back to 4.5lbs or 5lbs isn't the end of the world to me...but in all honesty, I'm currently typing this from the rMBP 13inch outside on campus and its just such a pleasure to carry around. It's not heavy at all and don't feel bogged down...which is something of importance when I recall the times running to a moving train in China. Again, not the biggest issue... but I do fall in the camp of considering the weight.

I'm more concerned with being able to have access to my data/media/whatever than weight, so we're on different sides of that fence. I guess you could get a 13" MBA with a 512GB SSD, but you're looking at about $2000 for that. I just can't justify that price because the 13" MBP is so much less expensive.

 

[MagicThief83]

lol. Trust me. Sex isn't an obstacle simply because I tag along an laptop.

Ooh! You think I have a MacBook on me throughout the date????

lol, no. But I do normally carry something and throw it in the car, especially if i'm traveling further than expected or know I wont be returning home the same night.

It happens. Frequently.

You could bring it along and then introduce your date to porn

 

[T5BRICK]

You could bring it along and then introduce your date to porn

That's for the second date.

 

[MagicThief83]

That's for the second date.

True, true-1st date to reel them in, 2nd date to go all out!

 

[throAU]

IMHO:

size/weight difference between 11" and 13" airs is not worth losing 16x10 screen aspect of the 13" and dropping down from 1440x900 screen res - and dropping 2 hrs of battery life.