Firstly I am sorry this is so long but hopefully that just shows what I have bouncing around in my head which is making this so confusing, or at least for me!
Im just looking for some advice really please. I appreciate a number of topics have been discussed already in one way or another but I still havent found the answer I have been looking for even with every search combination in Google and Forums of Iris Pro, 4K, 4K 60Hz, and 750M etc!
My key question really comes down to the 4K output capabilities of the 15 Mid 2014 MBP. Ideally I would like to have 2 x 4K monitors running at 60Hz, 30Hz will just come with issues. I do not need the Retina screen powered on with both these monitors running. In an ideal world I would just have tested this myself under Apples 14 day return period, but I do not have the monitors yet which is half the problem! I plan to purchase them in the coming months to replace my 2 x 1080P monitors.
So does anyone have any experience with the late 2013 15 MBP or mid 2014 15 MPB in terms of 4K@60Hz output and setup combinations (no. of screens etc)?
It would be great to hear from people with the 750M or Iris Pro only who have tried them with 1 or 2 4K monitors, even better if you have tried 2! Obviously it has to be one or the other because if the 750M is installed then there is no way to force the Iris Pro to be used on an external monitor given the way it is wired, thats my understanding anyway.
Some more info about my situation which might help
7 Days ago I took delivery of my new Macbook Pro 15 using my educational discount. So I have time to change my set up, which is what is going through my mind now.
My planned use (helps to know as some pros and cons are affected by this)
I went for the Iris Pro only for the following reasons:
Reasons for my second thoughts
I am thinking the 750M has the best chance to run 4K monitors with less issues from my online research so far. I have seen no definite answer which is why I am hoping someone may be able to help here.
I did notice that the Iris Pro with the 2.8Ghz CPU can overclock to 1.3Ghz vs 1.2Ghz in the 2.2 and 2.5Ghz variants. Not sure how much that helps, but has to be better in one way or another even if by a small amount. I appreciate TDP comes into play but that really depends on the situation. If I am looking for the max single core speed or max Iris Pro then the TDP might not be hit as quickly and I will see a benefit over the 2.5Ghz CPU. If bashing all 4 cores (unlikely) then Im obviously going to see some throttling and loose some of the potential benefit of the 2.8 over the 2.5.
Given I have already spent £1971.60 ($3130) on what is my base version I am looking at a 10% increase in cost to get these 2 parts. It might also help in terms of resale when compared to my customised base version with only the Iris Pro.
Im not even going to think 5K iMac, as that is another spanner in the works that is actually cheaper when taking into account that I am expecting to buy 2 x 4K monitors! I keep reminding myself that I need a mobile solution otherwise it would be a no-brainer.
Summary
If the Iris Pro can handle 2 x 4K monitors at 60Hz for my needs then I can keep what I have. If only the 750M can manage this then I need to upgrade. If both can only handle 1 x 4K at 60Hz then again I can keep what I have unless there is a performance issue.
Be great to hear any thoughts and sorry again for the length of this post.
Thanks
Im just looking for some advice really please. I appreciate a number of topics have been discussed already in one way or another but I still havent found the answer I have been looking for even with every search combination in Google and Forums of Iris Pro, 4K, 4K 60Hz, and 750M etc!
My key question really comes down to the 4K output capabilities of the 15 Mid 2014 MBP. Ideally I would like to have 2 x 4K monitors running at 60Hz, 30Hz will just come with issues. I do not need the Retina screen powered on with both these monitors running. In an ideal world I would just have tested this myself under Apples 14 day return period, but I do not have the monitors yet which is half the problem! I plan to purchase them in the coming months to replace my 2 x 1080P monitors.
So does anyone have any experience with the late 2013 15 MBP or mid 2014 15 MPB in terms of 4K@60Hz output and setup combinations (no. of screens etc)?
It would be great to hear from people with the 750M or Iris Pro only who have tried them with 1 or 2 4K monitors, even better if you have tried 2! Obviously it has to be one or the other because if the 750M is installed then there is no way to force the Iris Pro to be used on an external monitor given the way it is wired, thats my understanding anyway.
Some more info about my situation which might help
7 Days ago I took delivery of my new Macbook Pro 15 using my educational discount. So I have time to change my set up, which is what is going through my mind now.
- 2.5Ghz
- 16GB RAM
- Iris Pro only (Basically upgraded the base unit)
- 1TB SSD
My planned use (helps to know as some pros and cons are affected by this)
- General day to day use within OSX
- Development within OSX (Xcode)
- Development within Windows (Visual Studio & SQL Server) Parallels looks like the best option as there is enough power not to need to go into Bootcamp
- Photoshop, Dreamweaver and some video editing (FCP X) but the video editing is mainly family videos so not an everyday thing.
- 95% of the time I expect the MBP to be plugged into the mains but only 60/40 connected to external monitors.
- Key thing here is no gaming is planned. I would just like 4K to make work on my eyes easier.
I went for the Iris Pro only for the following reasons:
- One less part to fail. (Dedicated GPUs appear to have failed more than CPUs)
- No hassle with GPU switching, though I did not realise I could stop the 750M from working if just working on the retina screen itself with gfxCardStatus. I still thought some apps ignore this and caused the 750M to fire up. I appreciate with an external monitor the 750M would always be used.
- More power efficient.
- Potentially less heat and thus noise.
- I thought the Iris Pro would be enough for me, but its the 4K which might be the issue.
Reasons for my second thoughts
I am thinking the 750M has the best chance to run 4K monitors with less issues from my online research so far. I have seen no definite answer which is why I am hoping someone may be able to help here.
- To add the 750M will cost £67.20 extra ($107)
- To upgrade from the 2.5Ghz to 2.8Ghz will cost £127.20 ($200)
I did notice that the Iris Pro with the 2.8Ghz CPU can overclock to 1.3Ghz vs 1.2Ghz in the 2.2 and 2.5Ghz variants. Not sure how much that helps, but has to be better in one way or another even if by a small amount. I appreciate TDP comes into play but that really depends on the situation. If I am looking for the max single core speed or max Iris Pro then the TDP might not be hit as quickly and I will see a benefit over the 2.5Ghz CPU. If bashing all 4 cores (unlikely) then Im obviously going to see some throttling and loose some of the potential benefit of the 2.8 over the 2.5.
Given I have already spent £1971.60 ($3130) on what is my base version I am looking at a 10% increase in cost to get these 2 parts. It might also help in terms of resale when compared to my customised base version with only the Iris Pro.
Im not even going to think 5K iMac, as that is another spanner in the works that is actually cheaper when taking into account that I am expecting to buy 2 x 4K monitors! I keep reminding myself that I need a mobile solution otherwise it would be a no-brainer.
Summary
If the Iris Pro can handle 2 x 4K monitors at 60Hz for my needs then I can keep what I have. If only the 750M can manage this then I need to upgrade. If both can only handle 1 x 4K at 60Hz then again I can keep what I have unless there is a performance issue.
Be great to hear any thoughts and sorry again for the length of this post.
Thanks