Didn't the 2012 retina have graphic card related issues too? Don't get me wrong... I want to believe Apple is a reliable company but history has proved otherwise on multiple occasions
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Macbook pro 15 inch without or with AMD graphics
- Thread starter andy123456
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2c.
no i would not buy discrete graphics in a portable machine.
Why?
Heat
Battery life (as soon as the dGPU kicks in, watch your battery life tumble)
dGPU in a portable is still slow anyway
Unless you have a very specific use case in which you need to run 3d stuff on a portable, it's not worth the trade-offs.
no i would not buy discrete graphics in a portable machine.
Why?
Heat
Battery life (as soon as the dGPU kicks in, watch your battery life tumble)
dGPU in a portable is still slow anyway
Unless you have a very specific use case in which you need to run 3d stuff on a portable, it's not worth the trade-offs.
if only there was an option to turn off the discrete card...
There is.
It's called gfxcardstatus.
Not in Windows though, but then, I only use Boot Camp when I'm plugged in.
It hasn't been updated since 2012 and from what I have heard the discrete disabling doesn't work about half the time. The developer has abandoned it for newer devices. But it does reliably say which card is being used.
I use gfxCardStatus on my 2015 RMBP with M370X and it works perfectly. 100% reliable.
I was being facetious. I was saying throAU was making a terrible argument for not upgrading to the dGPU for an extra $100.
It works all the time for me once you know how to fix the quirk bug where you have to select Integrated Only twice before it properly forces into that.
Does it work when the graphic card has failed? in my 2011 model, it refused to boot up to a usable state cause the GPU had failed... Even though, gfxcardstatus was enabled
Not sure what you mean by maxed out, but something like 250-512gb ssd, 16gb of ram, and the base AMD gpu would probably be more than enough to last for many years.
Been there, done that with my 2011 model.
If you're going to just turn the discrete GPU off all the time, why buy it?
Performance even with it enabled is pretty garbage at 3d stuff anyway.... if you want to do 3d, use a desktop for it.
Thats your opinion. Mine is that even if it was FREE, i wouldn't bother with a discrete GPU in a portable machine these days unless I had some non-gaming application that I needed it for.
Discrete portable GPUs just aren't fast enough to be worth it in my opinion.
Careful with that straw man -- a slight breeze and it will get knocked over.
*shrug*
Just stating my opinion based on 20 years experience in the industry.
If you have a specific need for a discrete GPU in a portable, get one.
But if it's "just because", or you think that somehow you're going to be able to use a 15" machine with discrete GPU as a decent desktop replacement for running games and stuff....
Save the money and put it towards a gaming machine (for example), because the results are just not good. And that's in the first year of ownership when it is still a reasonably high end mobile GPU. After 1-2 years, and especially after 3 years, that discrete GPU in your portable machine is pretty useless for any sort of serious 3d stuff.
Use the portable machine for portable stuff, and leave the 3d heavy lifting to something more suitable.
Again, if you need to do 3d on the go (for work), then by all means get a discrete GPU. Just be aware that they're nowhere near the performance of even a fairly low end desktop card.
Or consider using a desktop GPU in a thunderbolt enclosure, if you just want 3d when at a desk (just try running 3d while on battery, it's a bit of a joke in terms of battery life)... which replaces the need for the discrete GPU in the machine - and is far, far quicker.
e.g., thunderbolt external GPU on a Macbook AIR
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Presumably the need for having a decent GPU in a portable computer is....because you want to be able to do graphics/video intensive work in a variety of settings (the same reason people buy notebooks in the first place.) I'm not sure why you are so convinced this is a niche market.
eGPUs are still not even relevant enough to consider when making a purchase. Will that change? Maybe, if Apple ever takes them seriously. For years they've remained these horribly expensive kludges.
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You do realize these are 15" rMBP customers you're talking about right? These are the people who want enough power to do whatever they want. This IS the best mobile desktop-replacement. The beauty of the dGPU is you get to plug in your computer when it's on your desk (90% of the time) and enjoy a generous boost in performance either for your professional/personal media projects, or your household gaming. Likely any task you perform that requires major GPU usage at all will cause fans to whirl like crazy on this machine whether it is using iGPU or dGPU (so heat/fan speed is not a major decent). Then when you're ready to go mobile, you can easily force iGPU only and enjoy an additionally healthy performing iGPU that will ensure longer lasting battery for whatever other operations you'd like to do while mobile.
Really the only situation I find a potential downside with would be if you're trying to do some sort of heavy GPU task while mobile and also not fixing iGPU only (which if the task is GPU heavy, will kill the machine quickly regardless). The other potential downside is that the dGPU can fail, but I see it more as a 80% of machines are healthy, and 20% of machines aren't type scenario - so I'd take the risk.
But I'm a gamer, so you know I'm going dGPU anyway.
Apple runs the MacBook Pro with dGPU far too close to the thermal limit for some of the components, hence why there have been so many issues with portable Mac`s with dGPU`s over the years. If you need the dGPU for work and or study purpose so be it, equally there is an increased chance of premature failure. Apple are not extending warranty for multiple models of the 15" MacBook Pro with dGPU out of benevolence, they have no other option...
Have doubts, just search, and make a informed decision, based on your needs.
Q-6
- 2007 - 2008 MBP`s extended repair programme effected, GPU related
- 2010 MBP`s extended repair programme effected, GPU related
- 2011 - 2013 extended repair programme effected, GPU related
- 2014 & 2015 only time will tell
Have doubts, just search, and make a informed decision, based on your needs.
Q-6
Well, although Apple of course has many faulty units it has to be weighted based on numbers of sold units and similar stats for competing brands:
http://blog.laptopmag.com/laptop-brand-ratings
Agreed, I don't mean avoid at all costs, rather be aware. To me it`s a trade off for the performance on offer in the given form factor. Apple is in general very solid reliability wise, equally the bulk of portable Mac`s use iGPU in isolation, the 15" is clearly different with the associated issues, and I doubt makes up the bulk of Mac sales.
Q-6
Ya see, that's where the problem is. The generous boost in performance is only really usable when on AC power or the battery dies WAY too fast.
And if you're on AC power, you're normally at a desk.
And if you're at a desk... you can either plug into a GPU or use a more potent desktop class machine (even one that is 3-5 years old will kerb stomp a brand new mobile GPU)...
Yes, i get that some people need/want a mobile GPU machine, but again, i've been there, done that and the reality is that mobile GPUs are all pretty crap... Hence i'd suggest saving the weight, battery life and heat and just save the 3d heavy stuff for a desktop - because doing it on a portable is just not a great experience anyway.
i.e., even with the discrete GPU, it is not enough power to "do what i want".
YMMV of course.
But that's what I found, expecting to try and use a 15" machine with high end GPU as a desktop replacement.