It's all about gaming.

[ggabriele3]

Stripped down install, disabled hibernation and virtual memory.

Also, some other tips:
I wanted to make a large portion of the HDD available for gaming.
I gave windows 192GB of the 256.

Since I keep everything I need in Cloud storage or on a home server (photos in Dropbox, Music in iTunes Match, work docs in Google Drive).

For local non-essential stuff, I keep a 64GB MicroSD card plugged in the dedicated port. I also ordered a Nifty Drive which should allow it to sit flush when it comes.

 

[rockyroad55]

Stripped down install, disabled hibernation and virtual memory.

Is there any way to decrease space after install? I don't want to go through reinstalling everything again.

 

[204353]

+ the benefit of having such resolution is that you can turn Anti-Aliasing off. Even scaling down to a lower-than-native resolution, it looks amazing.

YES! I completely forgot to mention this. Running Skyrim at 2880 x 1800, I was able to turn AA completely off while retaining a beautiful picture quality. Without the AA, the machine can actually handle the other graphics settings at Ultra, despite the mind-blowing resolution.

This is a huge plus for the Retina model, since super-high detail without AA looks way better than average detail with AA.

 

[derbothaus]

As you may know, it has overclocked graphics so it will outperform the CMBP.

Until you just overclock the cMBP GPU in Windows to 900MHz. Wow now it is the same. Big deal. Only matters if gaming in OS X as you can't really control the clock speed. But then if it is "all about gaming" you wouldn't be playing games in OS X. A 2008 Macbook running Windows will beat a 2012 rMBP gaming in OS X. It's a sad fact.

 

[ivoruest]

Until you just overclock the cMBP GPU in Windows to 900MHz. Wow now it is the same. Big deal. Only matters if gaming in OS X as you can't really control the clock speed. But then if it is "all about gaming" you wouldn't be playing games in OS X. A 2008 Macbook running Windows will beat a 2012 rMBP gaming in OS X. It's a sad fact.

Yes this is true. Although I believe the CMBP cooling system is not as effective than the one on the RMBP so I would expect some thermal throttling. Specially when Overclocking to Retina clock speeds.

For the comparison 2008 MBP vs 2012 rMBP I really don't know what to say about it. Starcraft runs pretty good on my Late 2011 MBP under OSX.

 

[Cassadian]

I'm sorry... What?!

Haven't had a single issue with mine? I'm assuming you're a non owner who is condemning it because you can't have one...

No. Currently the software is still in a premature state. For example, Facebook still cannot provide fluid scrolling. Furthermore, Mac OS 10.8.1 on the Retina is having problems with SC2 and other games that have forced me to install all future games on my Boot Camp partition.

Not enough applications have been optimized for the Retina even months after it's release. That didn't stop me from buying one and I disagree that it has been plagued with issues.

 

[Mabyboi]

No. Currently the software is still in a premature state. For example, Facebook still cannot provide fluid scrolling. Furthermore, Mac OS 10.8.1 on the Retina is having problems with SC2 and other games that have forced me to install all future games on my Boot Camp partition.

Not enough applications have been optimized for the Retina even months after it's release. That didn't stop me from buying one and I disagree that it has been plagued with issues.

Facebook isnt really a justifiable test for any computer. That website is built horribly. Its having some software issues yes, but those issues are exactly that, software. Which is completely on the maker of said software, blizzard is working on a fix, and a lot of companies are working on retina apps. Thats not the fault of apple or the retina macbook.

 

[Cassadian]

Facebook isnt really a justifiable test for any computer. That website is built horribly. Its having some software issues yes, but those issues are exactly that, software. Which is completely on the maker of said software, blizzard is working on a fix, and a lot of companies are working on retina apps. Thats not the fault of apple or the retina macbook.

Microsoft Word another core application is not optimized as of this moment although it can be adjusted through simple fixes.

 

[Mabyboi]

Microsoft Word another core application is not optimized as of this moment although it can be adjusted through simple fixes.

True, but thats all at the software level which is being made by other companies and not apple. Not dissagreeing that there are software glitches but not something thats linked to apple or the Retina MacBook specifically

 

[Cassadian]

True, but thats all at the software level which is being made by other companies and not apple. Not dissagreeing that there are software glitches but not something thats linked to apple or the Retina MacBook specifically

There aren't many issues by Apple (except one in particular where gamma levels glitch when alt+tabbing out of games). But that's not the point I'm trying to make. The majority of the applications and web pages we access won't be by Apple. I agree at the hardware level Apple is doing things right, but the interface is just as important as the hardware support it.

 

[Slayergramp]

I just wanted to point something out here.

Saying that "PCs are better for gaming" doesn't make an awful amount of sense. I mean, if the system requirements of a game that you are trying to run are met by both PC X and Mac Y then it's the same adequacy. A Windows PC with the same hardware as a Mac is not "better" at running games - the results will be the same. The only point that can be made is that if you want to purchase a computer solely for gaming, you will typically spend less money on the Windows PC that has the same hardware specifications as the Mac. The price, of course, does not take other factors into consideration such as build quality and software, and is not based simply on the hardware.

I was reffering to the fact that a PC built for gaming, can run games much better than a macbook and it's cheaper.

actually no. The rMBP has an overclocked GPU so it handles graphics better. The games that run at 2880x1800 look glorious, all the rest run amazingly at 1920x1200 which looks a million times better than 1440x900. I use mine for gaming and it is a beast!

I've heard this quite a bit so I'm going to assume it's true.

I've read everyone's posts, and thanks for the feedback! I've come up with a disappointing verdict however.

I'm going ahead with a Non-Retina Macbook Pro 15" High end with hi-res antiglare. This tops at like.. $2,400ish

A retina Macbook pro with specs to my liking:
-High end
-16 gb RAM
-768gb
Costs, $3,500, plus I'd need to buy a superdrive.

I don't have that kind of pocket change, so I just can't.

I believe I will be happy with the Macbook Pro 15", because playing at a resolution that much lower, I'll get used to it, I won't be upset at least. As long as it's not 480p... Plus, at a lower resolution, I probably will be able to turn graphics up a little higher than a rMBP at native or the 1980x1200 that everyone seems to use a lot.

Again, thanks for the feedback.

And P.S. I will be using Bootcamp with Windows 7. That's part of the big hard drive need. Games on one side, media on the other.

 

[leman]

Is there any way to decrease space after install? I don't want to go through reinstalling everything again.

Yep, you could disable hibernation and virtual memory BTW, you should only do the later if you got at least 8GB RAM, otherwise you might experience crashes.

 

[nostylez]

I must admit I like to game, as the OP it's also a big part.
I plan to do egpu set up with my current 13" which will soon be the missus once the 13" retina is released.

Let's just say I'll be doing some testing with a thunderbolt enabled egpu sample.

 

[striker33]

Until you just overclock the cMBP GPU in Windows to 900MHz. Wow now it is the same. Big deal. Only matters if gaming in OS X as you can't really control the clock speed. But then if it is "all about gaming" you wouldn't be playing games in OS X. A 2008 Macbook running Windows will beat a 2012 rMBP gaming in OS X. It's a sad fact.

Until you realise that overclocking with such an outdated cooling system will cause even more throttling than was already in place.

Meanwhile as your cMBP melts itself I'll be busy overclocking my rMBP even further to 1100/2500 without breaking a sweat.

 

[Wardenski]

First of all, don't give me "Don't buy a mac for gaming, herg-da-gerg" I KNOW PCs are better for gaming! I just think OS X is a gajillion times better than windows 7, and I won't be using it just for gaming, it's just a big part.

I am afraid that Windows 7 is a googleplex times better than OSX for gaming. There are some big games, such as Skyrim that have never made it onto the Mac side. You will have to use bootcamp for those. Mod support for Mac games is general woeful and support for Mac ports are pretty bad in general.

Also, Windows 7 has much better GPU drivers and better support for surround sound.

Personally, I would always get a desktop for gaming and gaming purely in OSX is a fruitless exercise in the long run.

 

[ggabriele3]

I am afraid that Windows 7 is a googleplex times better than OSX for gaming. There are some big games, such as Skyrim that have never made it onto the Mac side. You will have to use bootcamp for those. Mod support for Mac games is general woeful and support for Mac ports are pretty bad in general.

Also, Windows 7 has much better GPU drivers and better support for surround sound.

Personally, I would always get a desktop for gaming and gaming purely in OSX is a fruitless exercise in the long run.

i don't understand why anyone is even debating this.

the vast majority of major title games are not available on the mac.
i'm not aware of any major titles that are OSX-only.

 

[joer80]

The retina macbook pro can also do non native rez gaming without a noticeable quality loss. This will greatly increase the quality of a lot of games over a long period of time.

I even run my rMBP windows 7 install on 1650x1080 and it looks better than my thinkpad at native at that rez.

 

[throAU]

mbp classic all the way. my high end 2011 with 6750 is great.

you can swap the hard drive out for a hybrid, get the best of both worlds.
you aren't trying to drive a huge display.
you've got a dvd drive for windows games with cd/dvd copyprotection.

 

[derbothaus]

Until you realise that overclocking with such an outdated cooling system will cause even more throttling than was already in place.

Meanwhile as your cMBP melts itself I'll be busy overclocking my rMBP even further to 1100/2500 without breaking a sweat.

Pretty sure I realize that. Thanks to the die shrinks the cooling is better than anything I have had prior. Which is all models of Macbook's. I could over clock my 9600GT which had even worse cooling. I think you may be overstating the crappiness of the cMBP cooling. As it is common knowledge that the rMBP has an "improved" cooling design it still isn't "amazing". Less space more ducts. I see them both operating relatively around the same temps with monitoring. It isn't night and day at all. Much of it has to do with the inherent power conservation of kepler and Ivy bridge anyway. But yes, throttling the cMBP should kick in sooner and more frequently than the rMBP. I however have not measured this as I have a gaming PC for heavy playing that makes any laptop jealous. Have you been able to get 1100MHz on the core without voltage tweaks? And if stable and not throttled you will be feeling some heat off that retina for sure.

----------

The retina macbook pro can also do non native rez gaming without a noticeable quality loss. This will greatly increase the quality of a lot of games over a long period of time.

Nu uh! There is quality loss when not playing native (scaled). Some see it others don't but it is there.

 

[imperialnavy]

Pretty sure I realize that. Thanks to the die shrinks the cooling is better than anything I have had prior. Which is all models of Macbook's. I could over clock my 9600GT which had even worse cooling. I think you may be overstating the crappiness of the cMBP cooling. As it is common knowledge that the rMBP has an "improved" cooling design it still isn't "amazing". Less space more ducts. I see them both operating relatively around the same temps with monitoring. It isn't night and day at all. Much of it has to do with the inherent power conservation of kepler and Ivy bridge anyway. But yes, throttling the cMBP should kick in sooner and more frequently than the rMBP. I however have not measured this as I have a gaming PC for heavy playing that makes any laptop jealous. Have you been able to get 1100MHz on the core without voltage tweaks? And if stable and not throttled you will be feeling some heat off that retina for sure.

----------
I am pretty certain there were some people on this board who even reached a 1200MHz overclock on the core with only getting 2-3°C more temperature. If you then add using Lubbo´s fancontrol you are getting around 70°C for both the CPU and the GPU I went through quite a number of Macbooks and i overclocked every single one of them -- The Retina seems to be the first however that has both lower temperatures and less throttling despite being thinner, despite being overclocked and despite being potentially more powerful..

 

[derbothaus]

----------
I am pretty certain there were some people on this board who even reached a 1200MHz overclock on the core with only getting 2-3°C more temperature. If you then add using Lubbo´s fancontrol you are getting around 70°C for both the CPU and the GPU I went through quite a number of Macbooks and i overclocked every single one of them -- The Retina seems to be the first however that has both lower temperatures and less throttling despite being thinner, despite being overclocked and despite being potentially more powerful..

Whoa! 1200MHz? That's actually something to write home about At least it will net more than 3-5FPS dif instead of the 825-900MHz c-rMBP disparity. Goodness. Impressed if true

 

[Mr MM]

Whoa! 1200MHz? That's actually something to write home about At least it will net more than 3-5FPS dif instead of the 825-900MHz c-rMBP disparity. Goodness. Impressed if true

it is true. There are other guys besides the one that made a thread here that can overclock the 650m like no tomorrow in the rmbp, the best results are achieved when you lock the cpu to a certain speed, lets say 2.8ghz and then oc the gpu, that way the gpu wont downclock when it reaches 80c+