You won't regret it, i have also come from a windows 7 laptop. It had a i3 processor and lasted all of 10 seconds when unplugged from the mains. I currently have the 13 inch retina (2013) and it is simply an amazing machine. It is indeed expensive but there is something about the build of the machine that leaves you incredibly satisfied.
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MacBook 13" Retina buy now or wait for Haswell?
- Thread starter Cydone
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You won't regret it, i have also come from a windows 7 laptop. It had a i3 processor and lasted all of 10 seconds when unplugged from the mains. I currently have the 13 inch retina (2013) and it is simply an amazing machine. It is indeed expensive but there is something about the build of the machine that leaves you incredibly satisfied.
rpg51
macrumors 6502
I have a 13"Air and a 13" Retina. I thought I was going to like the thin and light Air and I did for a while. But I have come to the conclusion that the new thin and light retina 13 is so much stronger and better designed that the Air no longer has the appeal for me that it once did. This 13" retina is a terrific computer. My Air had some minor screen damage from closing onto the keyboard and I am convinced that the darn things are just too thin and light and not rugged enough. I am thrilled with the Retina. I am not a gamer and this computer has all the power I will ever need. No reason to wait for me. Pricing is good now. Time to pull the trigger. I got mine, with 256 gig SSD and 8 gig ram for $1,519.00 at best buy. Very happy. Blows the socks off my Air. Screen is to die for. SSD is FAST. Plenty of processor power and ram. Great machine.
Definitely worth waiting for Haswell. It will be more efficient, faster iGPU and (maybe) faster pci-e 3.0 Thunderbolt.
Macbooks use a power inefficient USB keyboard/mouse combo
One thing I discovered with my Macbook compared to a PC notebook is the keyboard and mouse are attached via a USB hub, rather than PS/2 internally. This adds a noticable extra power dissipation from the battery when running in Windows. Meaning, if you are running Windows predominantly then a PC notebook with the same drive config can have noticably longer battery life. I've documented more details at:
Can someone run 'powercfg /energy' to see if ur USB is not selective suspending?
This would be a good area for Apple to consider correcting in their upcoming released. Then again, they are probably not so fussed about Windows customers given their 15" MBPs won't allow the iGPU to be utilized on that platform (hence no Optimus, hence no battery life savings there either).
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Nobody knows as yet what Haswell based CPUs will bring in terms of speed and efficiency. Manufacturers always pitch their product to be revolutionary. The current MacBook Pro 13" with Retina is a great machine with a beautiful screen. It will last you a long time, it comes down to when you want it. There will always be faster and better products in the future that is the nature of the technology.
clyde2801
macrumors 601
Another option would be to look around and find the best deal possible on a used 2011 or 2012 (xxx-bridge) MBP, and stick in the biggest SSD and max the ram out for a relative pittance.
This combo will blow the doors off your current rig, and allow you to comfortably wait out to see what Apple has to offer in the next few years. A 15 or 17" will also be usable longer due to their discrete graphics cards.
My wife is using my 15" 2008 2.4 C2D unibody MPB in more or less permanent desktop mode, previously upgraded to 4gb of ram and a 7200 rpm HDD. I took the ram up to 8gb, and switched the graphics from the integrated nvidia 9400 to the discrete 9600 (you had to manually switch the graphics on this model), and to her it's performing like a new computer for her modest means. (No need to get a SSD if the laptop is always on, IMO.)
If you're puttering along in a 2006 macbook with the first core 2 duo and intel gma950 graphics, any 2011 or 2012 MBP with those quick, easy and cheap upgrades will feel like an ultraexotic sports cars car to you. By the time it no longer suits your needs, a retina screen will probably no longer be a premium option but the standard configuration.
This combo will blow the doors off your current rig, and allow you to comfortably wait out to see what Apple has to offer in the next few years. A 15 or 17" will also be usable longer due to their discrete graphics cards.
My wife is using my 15" 2008 2.4 C2D unibody MPB in more or less permanent desktop mode, previously upgraded to 4gb of ram and a 7200 rpm HDD. I took the ram up to 8gb, and switched the graphics from the integrated nvidia 9400 to the discrete 9600 (you had to manually switch the graphics on this model), and to her it's performing like a new computer for her modest means. (No need to get a SSD if the laptop is always on, IMO.)
If you're puttering along in a 2006 macbook with the first core 2 duo and intel gma950 graphics, any 2011 or 2012 MBP with those quick, easy and cheap upgrades will feel like an ultraexotic sports cars car to you. By the time it no longer suits your needs, a retina screen will probably no longer be a premium option but the standard configuration.
