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Is a rMPB a fine option for animation/3d/rendering?

S

sneak3

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 14, 2011
538
80
Hello!

Ive decided that I need a notebook to study and work with computer graphics, and it needs to replace my desktop for lets say, 90% of the time.

The past weeks I've been strugling with the decision of buying a mac or a origin/sager notebook.

Here are my fears towards the retina macbook pro:

- Will need windows half the time, so bootcamp is the way to go. But I've heard many complaints about windows 7 + retina resolution...

- rMPB may get TOO hot constantly and throttle as consequence.

- No matte finish for the screen.

- And of course all the current rMPB problems that have been popping up here or in the apple's forum.

The obviously GOOD points about rMBP is the chassis. Light and thin, more portability.

Anyways, can you guys give me a help deciding this?

Thanks!
 
If you'll be running Windows, you should get a Windows machine. Honestly.
 
bill-p said:
If you'll be running Windows, you should get a Windows machine. Honestly.
Click to expand...

Considering Apple hardware runs Windows just as well if not better than PC counterparts and the OP said they'd be using it about half the time I don't see why they wouldn't do the best of both worlds there....
 
sneak3 said:
Hello!

Ive decided that I need a notebook to study and work with computer graphics, and it needs to replace my desktop for lets say, 90% of the time.

The past weeks I've been strugling with the decision of buying a mac or a origin/sager notebook.

Here are my fears towards the retina macbook pro:

- Will need windows half the time, so bootcamp is the way to go. But I've heard many complaints about windows 7 + retina resolution...

- rMPB may get TOO hot constantly and throttle as consequence.
- No matte finish for the screen.

- And of course all the current rMPB problems that have been popping up here or in the apple's forum.

The obviously GOOD points about rMBP is the chassis. Light and thin, more portability.

Anyways, can you guys give me a help deciding this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Most powerfull laptop will have the same problem if you do GPGPU, 3D rendering and so on in hot places. I use to do GPGPU for hours in a 22°C room, the vertices/second remains constant from begining to end.
My Retina 2.6 GHz early 2013 is quieter and cooler than my first 2.6 GHz classic mid-2012.
 
sneak3 said:
- Will need windows half the time, so bootcamp is the way to go. But I've heard many complaints about windows 7 + retina resolution...
Click to expand...

This is the only real problem with your usage scenario. And yes, Windows 7 (or even 8) do not work well with the retina resolution.
 
Interstella5555 said:
Considering Apple hardware runs Windows just as well if not better than PC counterparts and the OP said they'd be using it about half the time I don't see why they wouldn't do the best of both worlds there....
Click to expand...

Considering I myself owns a rMBP, and I'm definitely running Windows half the time, I can tell from experience that this is not true at all, and I can list at least ten reasons why, the least of which is resolution support.

So with that said, the OP is still much better off getting a Windows laptop to run Windows.
 
Really guys? :(

I was trying to make myself convinced that the rMBP would be the best option but now you guys are starting to deviate me from that thought.

I trust you, since you are actually using the rMBP with windows, however I would like the know all the negative things BESIDES resolution that would make the windows experience bad.

bill-p said:
Considering I myself owns a rMBP, and I'm definitely running Windows half the time, I can tell from experience that this is not true at all, and I can list at least ten reasons why, the least of which is resolution support.

So with that said, the OP is still much better off getting a Windows laptop to run Windows.
Click to expand...

Can you share your thoughts regarding that matter? And also, would you pick something else if you could?

MyMac1976 said:
Sager w/quadro

More specifically this one with the k5000 option..

http://www.sagernotebook.com/index.php?page=product_info&model_name=NP9570
Click to expand...

That one with quadro is WAY beyond my budget. But sager is one of my options with a geforce gt card possibly.
 
sneak3 said:
Really guys? :(

I was trying to make myself convinced that the rMBP would be the best option but now you guys are starting to deviate me from that thought.

I trust you, since you are actually using the rMBP with windows, however I would like the know all the negative things BESIDES resolution that would make the windows experience bad.



Can you share your thoughts regarding that matter? And also, would you pick something else if you could?




That one with quadro is WAY beyond my budget. But sager is one of my options with a geforce gt card possibly.
Click to expand...

I can't figure out why you leave a your desktop in favor of an Apple portable with very midrange graphics when doing things that are not midrange. The 2k-2.5K price range opens a lot of options in both desktops and portables. For the things you want to do especially if you want to use Windows there just isn't an Apple portable I'd buy. In your shoes I'd give it month check out the new MP's if they arrive if not then likely build a PC.
 
I am kind of surprised by these answers. I have been using my 17" MBP running Windows 7 and now Windows 8 for years and had almost no issues. There might be some weird resolutions issues with the rMBP but nothing that would make it a deal breaker. That being said I was lucky enough to have a desktop also so from time to time I would render on my desktop. But I still ended up using my laptop most of the time because I was taking it to class and such.
 
sneak3 said:
I was trying to make myself convinced that the rMBP would be the best option but now you guys are starting to deviate me from that thought.
Click to expand...

IMO, the rMBP is one of the bast portable workstations on the market right now (if not the best). But not for running Windows, the OS simply does not have enough support for HiDPI displays. And your battery life will be abysmal.
 
MyMac1976 said:
I can't figure out why you leave a your desktop in favor of an Apple portable with very midrange graphics when doing things that are not midrange. The 2k-2.5K price range opens a lot of options in both desktops and portables. For the things you want to do especially if you want to use Windows there just isn't an Apple portable I'd buy. In your shoes I'd give it month check out the new MP's if they arrive if not then likely build a PC.
Click to expand...

I have a desktop but I really need a notebook for traveling and for taking with me wherever I go.

But really, in terms of raw specs, the only thing Id be missing is a better GPU. Ive did some comparisons and even the price is roughly a 300$ difference. I guess the thing is not if windows notebooks are better, but if the rMBP "pros" can outweigh its own cons, like the resolution thing and battery with windows (in my case ofc).

Proph3T said:
I am kind of surprised by these answers. I have been using my 17" MBP running Windows 7 and now Windows 8 for years and had almost no issues. There might be some weird resolutions issues with the rMBP but nothing that would make it a deal breaker. That being said I was lucky enough to have a desktop also so from time to time I would render on my desktop. But I still ended up using my laptop most of the time because I was taking it to class and such.
Click to expand...

Bear in mind that Ill be constantly working with visual and graphic stuff. If the res is as bad as it's claimed, it may bother me.

leman said:
IMO, the rMBP is one of the bast portable workstations on the market right now (if not the best). But not for running Windows, the OS simply does not have enough support for HiDPI displays. And your battery life will be abysmal.
Click to expand...

Now, the support for that res is something related to windows itself or the softwares? Cause really, I'd be using Chrome + 3ds max + zbrush + photoshop.

That's it. So if it's software realted, maybe they can come up with a fix faster than if it was realted to microsoft...

And I dont get it why the battery is bad with the mbp if other notebooks that dont have an integrated GPU can handle a discrete GPU nicely all the time.
 
sneak3 said:
I have a desktop but I really need a notebook for traveling and for taking with me wherever I go.

But really, in terms of raw specs, the only thing Id be missing is a better GPU. Ive did some comparisons and even the price is roughly a 300$ difference. I guess the thing is not if windows notebooks are better, but if the rMBP "pros" can outweigh its own cons, like the resolution thing and battery with windows (in my case ofc).
Click to expand...

IMHO no...you need HP to do what you do a rMBP simply doesn't have it comparatively. The Mac pluses just won't apply rendering especially in Windows. My money goes to Sager which really say something because there is no windows boxes in my home.
 
sneak3 said:
Now, the support for that res is something related to windows itself or the softwares? Cause really, I'd be using Chrome + 3ds max + zbrush + photoshop.

That's it. So if it's software realted, maybe they can come up with a fix faster than if it was realted to microsoft...
Click to expand...

Its both.


sneak3 said:
And I dont get it why the battery is bad with the mbp if other notebooks that dont have an integrated GPU can handle a discrete GPU nicely all the time.
Click to expand...

Which noteboks nowadays don't have an integrated GPU? The problem with the rMBP and Windows is that the dGPU is active all the time + the Windows OS lacks the power-saving features of OS X.

----------
MyMac1976 said:
IMHO no...you need HP to do what you do a rMBP simply doesn't have it comparatively. The Mac pluses just won't apply rendering especially in Windows.
Click to expand...

Usually, the GPU doesn't do jack for rendering (as in, creating a final picture of a scene). Professional GPUs have special drivers/hardware units which allow them to process things like wireframe models better (important for AutoCAD). For light to medium use, you won't notice any difference between a gaming and professional card. For heavy use, you want a proper workstation anyway.
 
leman said:
Its both.




Which noteboks nowadays don't have an integrated GPU? The problem with the rMBP and Windows is that the dGPU is active all the time + the Windows OS lacks the power-saving features of OS X.

----------



Usually, the GPU doesn't do jack for rendering (as in, creating a final picture of a scene). Professional GPUs have special drivers/hardware units which allow them to process things like wireframe models better (important for AutoCAD). For light to medium use, you won't notice any difference between a gaming and professional card. For heavy use, you want a proper workstation anyway.
Click to expand...

The linked computer has a socket 2011 desktop processor and a K5000
 
sneak3 said:
- And of course all the current rMPB problems that have been popping up here or in the apple's forum.
!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't base your rMBP purchase on the problems that get posted on here. Odds are you will receive a pristine and perfect working rMBP. Based on your criteria, I think the rMBP would be a great option. Being able to run Mountain Lion and Windows 7 on one machine is a dream.
 
MyMac1976 said:
The linked computer has a socket 2011 desktop processor and a K5000
Click to expand...

It also weights almost 6 kilogram and has the battery life of under two hours at best. Its not a laptop. Its a 'mobile' desktop replacement. Its like suggesting someone who ask for an all-round urban commuter to get a tractor.
 
TyPod said:
I wouldn't base your rMBP purchase on the problems that get posted on here. Odds are you will receive a pristine and perfect working rMBP. Based on your criteria, I think the rMBP would be a great option. Being able to run Mountain Lion and Windows 7 on one machine is a dream.
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree. It's easy to get worried about problems when you're reading a place where its literally only problems reported. If the 10 million people who have no problems posted here about their good experience you'd have the opposite reaction. It's like reading bad product reviews on Amazon. The product may be good but the only people being vocal are the unhappy ones.
 
leman said:
It also weights almost 6 kilogram and has the battery life of under two hours at best. Its not a laptop. Its a 'mobile' desktop replacement. Its like suggesting someone who ask for an all-round urban commuter to get a tractor.
Click to expand...

Which is why the gentleman/Lady needs to an actual desktop..save the assignment on what ever media is convenient and run it on the desktop save save the portable for portable stuff.

Mobile workstations only add value if you're doing paying work on location. If not they are huge, cumbersome, expensive, and stuck in time.
 
I am rather sure that you don't need a proper workstation to do even fairly serious modelling. Workstations are a necessity once you deal with really complex engineering or ultra-realistic models. I doubt that the OP will have any need for an actual workstation for anything they will have to do for their school.
 
leman said:
I am rather sure that you don't need a proper workstation to do even fairly serious modelling. Workstations are a necessity once you deal with really complex engineering or ultra-realistic models. I doubt that the OP will have any need for an actual workstation for anything they will have to do for their school.
Click to expand...

Well eventually I should get to that stage and I wouldnt want to replace whatever I buy right now for something else in the future.

Anyway, for the ones still recommending me the rMBP, how would you deal with the resolution and battery issues in windows?
 
I will point out that DPI scaling doesn't really matter if you just set the resolution to 1920x1200. This is the only LCD I've used that will readily scale down to resolutions below native and not look like crap.

Also, heat isn't really an issue with this computer- again, the first time I've been able to say that about a mobile quad-core. It gets hot, but I've never seen it throttle at all, and the body dissipates heat well enough to still be usable under load.

The problems with Windows on the Retina MacBook, in my mind, are:

1) 1/2 the battery life on Windows as compared to OS X, due to lack of Optimus support. Unknown whether this is a lack of software support or a firmware compatibility issue, but I'm willing to trade continued driver support via reference drivers for battery life- most OEM drivers (the ones required for graphics switching) are never updated after the first year of life.

2) Poor gesture support for the trackpad. There's a 3rd party solution for this (Trackpad++) but it has its limitations. For Windows 7 this isn't a problem.

I use my laptop in Windows generally only as a desktop workstation. For on the go it's OS X only.

That said, there's VM options (Parallels is recommended) that will let you do almost anything Windows outside of gaming from the OS X environment- it will offset some of the battery loss.
 
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