MBPR: iGPU vs. dGPU (15" 2014)

[Lukewarmwinner]

I totally get the "don't throw all your money in one machine"-thinking, which also stops me a bit from buying the high end. Actually I would prefer iMac right now and keep using my Air on the move, but the display is much better on the Retina, and the iMac is really due for an update.

But I have to make a decision before 9th september - so I get the BTS gift card

 

[maflynn]

The display may be better with the rMBP in a sense, but don't be so quick to dismiss the 20 or 27" display either. I'd rather use a 27" display over a 15" display (even if that latter is retina).

As for the iMac being due for an update, the same exact argument can and is being said for the rMBP. Everyone is waiting for broadwell.

 

[case2001]

It certainly adds that spice to life - waiting and wondering if that graphical anomaly was due to the dGPU failing or just system "burping"

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Apple's track record with dGPUs is horrible. 2008, 2010, 2011 models all have some level of failure.

I'm on the 2012 model going on 2.5 years old, so I near the 3 year mark, I'm little concerned even tough there's been zero reports of the 2012 model having GPU issues.

I agree with you. I have an early 2013 Retina MacBook 15". If the Iris Pro had been available I would have purchased that one. However, like you I don't do any video editing. Even on my Retina MacBook I usually am using the integrated GPU most of the time.

I am curious to see if there are failures in the next 6 months. It seems to me that quite a few people bought the 2012 Retina MacBook Pro and play moderate to heavy games. I have not notice any posts thus far of dGPU failures though.

To the OP, I would purchase the Iris Pro model.

 

[maflynn]

It seems to me that quite a few people bought the 2012 Retina MacBook Pro and play moderate to heavy games. I have not notice any posts thus far of dGPU failures though.

I have a 2012 rMBP and I'm very concerned. I don't play games but I do have it hooked up to an external display which means my dGPU is being used.

Depending on my financial situation and when apple releases the Broadwell based rMBPs. I may look to sell this next year and buy a iGPU only rMBP.

 

[Lukewarmwinner]

The display may be better with the rMBP in a sense, but don't be so quick to dismiss the 20 or 27" display either. I'd rather use a 27" display over a 15" display (even if that latter is retina).

As for the iMac being due for an update, the same exact argument can and is being said for the rMBP. Everyone is waiting for broadwell.

True, but I was hoping for a iMac 27" with a retina display - that might just be an even more expensive unit than the current if it comes out.

The failing dGPU's a bummer.. I would be using it quite a lot.

And Broadwell would be nice, but can't wait till next summer with the usual updates..

 

[hamiltonDSi]

I bought the rMBP with Iris Pro because like other said, Apple has a bad reputation with dGPU's in their MacBooks.

Besides that, I don't really need the dGPU - I use this machine for Internet, Mail, iTunes, Aperture, Photoshop, movies via AirPlay to my aTV and Pages / Word ; I game a lot but thats why I have a Playstation and a Wii. The only game I have on my Mac is South Park Stick of Truth and Iris Pro runs it excellent.

 

[rMBPUser03]

I use this machine for Internet, Mail, iTunes, Aperture, Photoshop, movies via AirPlay to my aTV and Pages / Word ; I game a lot but thats why I have a Playstation and a Wii. The only game I have on my Mac is South Park Stick of Truth and Iris Pro runs it excellent.

Which version of Photoshop do you use and have you already performed some benchmarks?

Thanks in advance!

 

[case2001]

I have a 2012 rMBP and I'm very concerned. I don't play games but I do have it hooked up to an external display which means my dGPU is being used.

In fact that is really the only time I use the dGPU when connected to my Thunderbolt monitor.

 

[Ak907Freerider]

Well bottom line is when your away from home that is capture time not editing time. You will miss photos if you are in front of your laptop when you should be shooting. When your home is editing time. This is why a iMac or a desktop will walk all over a laptop. If your concerned that iMac needs a update your wasting your time. A 4gb video card and you want more? A retina display will be a big price jump on a iMac. The iMac is a editing beast on par with the Mac Pro. I would rock your air and get a iMac.

 

[Lukewarmwinner]

Well bottom line is when your away from home that is capture time not editing time. You will miss photos if you are in front of your laptop when you should be shooting. When your home is editing time. This is why a iMac or a desktop will walk all over a laptop. If your concerned that iMac needs a update your wasting your time. A 4gb video card and you want more? A retina display will be a big price jump on a iMac. The iMac is a editing beast on par with the Mac Pro. I would rock your air and get a iMac.

Yeah you're definitely right. I'll have to weigh in portability more than I did at first. I might not need it that much. The iMac 27" seems way more powerful than the MBPr with a 4gb graphic card and the i7 3.8

 

[Ak907Freerider]

Yeah you're definitely right. I'll have to weigh in portability more than I did at first. I might not need it that much. The iMac 27" seems way more powerful than the MBPr with a 4gb graphic card and the i7 3.8

I promise you the IMac will walk laps around a MacBook Pro long as you go i7 and 4gb video card. They are 2 different animals. Plus you get a lot more real estate screen wise, yes it's not retina. But you will have the video card to run a 4k true editing monitor down the line.

 

[hamiltonDSi]

Which version of Photoshop do you use and have you already performed some benchmarks?

Thanks in advance!

Photoshop CS6, latest version.
No, I haven't performed any benchmarks but I have 0 problems related to speed & fluidity. Iris Pro can handle it.

 

[rMBPUser03]

Photoshop CS6, latest version.
No, I haven't performed any benchmarks but I have 0 problems related to speed & fluidity. Iris Pro can handle it.

Thanks a lot for your reply!

 

[jjahshik32]

I totally get the "don't throw all your money in one machine"-thinking, which also stops me a bit from buying the high end. Actually I would prefer iMac right now and keep using my Air on the move, but the display is much better on the Retina, and the iMac is really due for an update.

But I have to make a decision before 9th september - so I get the BTS gift card

I totally agree with you on this one. When I first got into Apple, I always thought to buy the most expensive model I could to future proof myself. Now I realize that there is no such thing as future proofing because sometime down the line, something too dramatic of an update comes that you can't update yourself.

Now my rule is to buy the least cost of a machine that can more than handle your workload. Also, so that you could upgrade earlier to the new shiny with less stress since it was cheaper to begin with!

I'm looking into buying a 13" rMBP in the next week as Microcenter has the previously refreshed models (the less cpu speed bump) ones for $1299. That includes the 256GB SSD + 8GB RAM. I love microcenter.

 

[Ak907Freerider]

I totally agree with you on this one. When I first got into Apple, I always thought to buy the most expensive model I could to future proof myself. Now I realize that there is no such thing as future proofing because sometime down the line, something too dramatic of an update comes that you can't update yourself.



I'm looking into buying a 13" rMBP in the next week as Microcenter has the previously refreshed models (the less cpu speed bump) ones for $1299. That includes the 256GB SSD + 8GB RAM. I love microcenter.

Why not a refurb and save even more?

 

[jjahshik32]

Why not a refurb and save even more?

I've looked at the refurb site and it looks like the same model refurbished cost $1189. While it is cheaper by $110, it is still a refurbished unit and I think its not worth the trouble if I have any issues such as dead/stuck pixels, image retention, other weird noises or some other issues.

Since Microcenter has these machines brand spanking new in box as well as plenty in stock, I like the peace of mind and ability to go exchange it right away for the perfect one. And to me that's not worth $110 savings of the hassle of shipping back and forth and wasting time.

 

[Ak907Freerider]

I've looked at the refurb site and it looks like the same model refurbished cost $1189. While it is cheaper by $110, it is still a refurbished unit and I think its not worth the trouble if I have any issues such as dead/stuck pixels, image retention, other weird noises or some other issues.

Since Microcenter has these machines brand spanking new in box as well as plenty in stock, I like the peace of mind and ability to go exchange it right away for the perfect one. And to me that's not worth $110 savings of the hassle of shipping back and forth and wasting time.

They are same as new. Plus same warranty as new. Same exchange policy as new. Put that $110 savings toward AppleCare or a better macbook. Or hey buy a steak and crab dinner. Case of beer and a external hdd. You get the idea.

 

[jjahshik32]

They are same as new. Plus same warranty as new. Same exchange policy as new. Put that $110 savings toward AppleCare or a better macbook. Or hey buy a steak and crab dinner. Case of beer and a external hdd. You get the idea.

I've thought about the idea before but I guess its a mental thing I just can't seem to break. I just don't like the idea that it is refurbished, even though I'm sure they replace the machines innards with a new logic board, etc.. But aren't refurbished models usually machines that were returned due to some faulty component or issues? I just don't like the idea of owning something that had some kind of issue previously that had been fixed, even if it is directly from Apple.

There's that saying that once a machine has no issues beyond a certain point of time, it will most likely last a very very long time. I hear so many stories of logic board replacement and the machine still ends up having issues since its not exactly in working order from the first process Apple takes from creating the notebook in their assembly line.

I just dread receiving a macbook pro with dead or stuck pixels and having to call Apple's representative and try and rma the machine and wait and hope that the next machine wont have this same issue. Bottom line to me is that some times time is worth to me than money.

 

[MTL18]

I've looked at the refurb site and it looks like the same model refurbished cost $1189. While it is cheaper by $110, it is still a refurbished unit and I think its not worth the trouble if I have any issues such as dead/stuck pixels, image retention, other weird noises or some other issues.

Since Microcenter has these machines brand spanking new in box as well as plenty in stock, I like the peace of mind and ability to go exchange it right away for the perfect one. And to me that's not worth $110 savings of the hassle of shipping back and forth and wasting time.

I just bought one refurb. It came with 3 cycles on the battery and although I bought the 2.0 i7, I received a 2.6 i7. It was flawless and I inspected it for scratches, dents, dead pixels, non-uniform display, light bleed etc...

 

[Ak907Freerider]

You are crazy not to buy a refurb. My mom just got a MacBook Pro retina last year ordered with 8gb ram it came with 16gb. So you pay less get a flawless machine and a chance at a free upgrade. Oh but you get a generic box ya that's worth over $100. Ha

 

[jjahshik32]

I just bought one refurb. It came with 3 cycles on the battery and although I bought the 2.0 i7, I received a 2.6 i7. It was flawless and I inspected it for scratches, dents, dead pixels, non-uniform display, light bleed etc...

Well, I'm glad that you've received one that is to your liking but that's just one scenario. Overall, I'd just feel much better if I could go exchange it the very same day at Microcenter if there were any issues.

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You are crazy not to buy a refurb. My mom just got a MacBook Pro retina last year ordered with 8gb ram it came with 16gb. So you pay less get a flawless machine and a chance at a free upgrade. Oh but you get a generic box ya that's worth over $100. Ha

Well that's one lottery type of deal where you get more than what you paid for. I hear stories about people ordering one model but ends up getting a more upgraded model and while its great that this type of stuff happens, I don't think that would happen if I would ordered one.

Why not go further than a refurb? I could go on eBay and try to win a bid and save even hundreds of more dollars. Some even come with Apple Care coverage. That's my whole point, the Microcenter deals are already very good, especially for a brand new machine as well as a physical location that I could get to within 15 minutes from where I live.

I've ordered big purchases online before with issues and I always hate a week turn around when you try to exchange something. Especially if you have 2 or 3 consecutive defects.

 

[xopher]

I'm glad i found this article!

I recently purchased a loaded 15 inch mbp primarily for editing photos and I found the reduced battery life somewhat lackluster. I have not been able to find any benchmarks running Lightroom/Photoshop on iris pro vs 750M. Would the Iris Pro be sufficient for what I'm doing?

Also, what exactly happens if the GPU dies while under apple care? A few of you mentioned this issue turned your machines in $3000 bricks...

 

[Ak907Freerider]

Most refurbs are from people who buy a laptop then want a upgraded one, or simply couldn't afford it. Hence the 2 week return window. I've bought 2 MacBook laptops one a pro and another a air both flawless. Also a 27 inch iMac. It is best way to save big money. Plus you wouldn't be able to tell a refurb from brand new.

Also refurbs have more inspection done than your standard china inspection.

 

[Lukewarmwinner]

I went to a Apple Store today and had a look at the two machines. The rMBP feels more right, and the portability is important to me.

So I'm gonna go with the high end rMBP. Just don't know if I should op the CPU to 2.8 ghz, or just go with the standard 2.5ghz

 

[yjchua95]

I went to a Apple Store today and had a look at the two machines. The rMBP feels more right, and the portability is important to me.

So I'm gonna go with the high end rMBP. Just don't know if I should op the CPU to 2.8 ghz, or just go with the standard 2.5ghz

The standard 2.5GHz will do. 300MHz won't make a difference, unless you're encoding a huge 4K video.