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Mid-Range 1.2 GHz Retina MacBook CPU Shows Nice Speed Boost Over Low-End Model

ssmoot said:
You are very value/cost sensitive. Lots of people aren't. I'm a Web Developer. I don't mind spending an extra 20% or whatever for the right laptop.

The 11in Air (which I've owned and loved) has a sub-optimal aspect-ratio for development. The rMB weighs a whole pound less than the 13in and has a significantly smaller form factor.

I can wait an extra 30 seconds for my code to compile. Would I like it to be faster? Definitely. But going from 60 seconds to 90 seconds a few times an hour isn't going to kill me.

For that trade I basically get an 11" MBA with a bigger screen, higher effective resolution, better aspect ratio, and a bit lighter (ports are a non-issue. Other than a Cinema-Display, I never plug anything into my laptops aside from a Projector, and I've always had to carry dongles for that in the past anyways).

What's not to love? Price? This is something I'm going to use most of the day for the next year or so. Compromising over saving a couple hundred dollars would be a mistake (for me).

Plus since I bought the 1st gen 11" MBA, and the original MBA, the 1.2GHz rMB is probably the cheapest laptop I've bought in years anyways by a few bucks.
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Ah, finally someone with valid points.

The only question I'd have for you, and myself as I don't know, not sure anyone does yet, when the rMB starts to heat throttle, how fast is it compared to the 11in Air then? I would worry that even though I'm told a 1.1Ghz CPU I'd be stuck at 500MHz as its throttled most of the time I need it. Sure we may not be talking about a long time, maybe 2min to compile instead of 45-60 seconds, but if I am going to drop money on a machine I want to make sure that I am also able to fully utilize it even if I am fine with its drawbacks.

And yes the larger 13.3in Lenovo Yoga 3 with the Core M under a benchmark will throttle down to 0.5GHz. It even has a fan.
 
This iteration of the Core M can be very deceiving and has fooled other tech reviewers already. Synthetic benchmarks are one thing but in real world use the Core M gives a really nice, smooth experience. And in a tiny power envelope no less. I use one in the real world (Yoga 3 Pro) and it is nice and snappy no doubt partly from the CPU but also having the CPU paired with an SSD and a fast chipset.

Apple in the Retina Macbook has done much the same, pairing the Core M with a fast chipset and fast SSD.
 
Mac.User said:
I still do not understand the selling point of this device.

It is more pricey than an Air and slower. Sure but has a nice screen but if there is an Air revision then it's expected to have the ForceTouch and also a Retina display.

The 256GB 11in Air + 8GB RAM is $100 less and much faster, and if you want a bigger screen then the 256GB 13in Air + 8GB is the same price. Both giving you more ports, performance, and the same battery life(11in Air) or more (13in).

I know I'm probably going to be based but unless you REALLY need USB-C or REQUIRE Retina on a sub 13in device I do not get why you would buy the MacBook. I'm all ears as to why ANYONE thinks this is the perfect device for them over the Air, but I have not seen a single person make that statement.

I do admit the Space Grey is sexy though.
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This new MacBook may not be the perfect machine right now, but I could see in a year or two where it could be. Here's my situation:

I've currently got a 2010 21.5" iMac with internal SSD. It's a great machine and has run flawlessly over the last couple years I have owned it. I actually bought it used; it replaced a 2006 17" MBP because I no longer needed a portable home computer, having also bought an iPad 3 we can take on the road. I'm probably close to the average computer user: my home computer takes the place of CD's, photo albums, paperwork of all kinds (bills, taxes, etc.) and some TV viewing on Hulu or Netflix on occasion. The iMac is still serving well and I hope to see it last another two years or so before it starts to either break down or just start getting slow.

At that point I'll be looking to replace it, and all else being equal, I'll probably continue the desktop/iPad strategy that has worked for us so far. That said, this MacBook is compelling as my iMac replacement if/when new 4K/5K screens (such as a much-speculated 5K Apple Thunderbolt Display) are available. I'd be quite open to buying a MacBook that only requires a single cord to dock it (that can handle video, data, and power). While I think that a completely cordless solution is still a ways off (at least one that works really seamlessly), this MacBook comes very close to the perfect light-duty machine that could work as a desktop when docked, but is also ultra-portable like an iPad/keyboard combo. I hope that in 2 years time we see no-kidding 12 hour plus battery life, a full-up 10Gb/s USB 3.1 port with DisplayPort 1.3 (which can handle 5K video), and monitors that can act as the docking station just like the current ATD does now over Thunderbolt and Magsafe.

For those who think Apple will add a second port in Gen 2: keep dreaming; not gonna happen. To add to that, IMO the MBA's days are numbered; I don't think you'll see Apple putting a retina screen in them. I think in two years time you'll only see 2 Apple laptop series: MacBook (12 and maybe 14 inch?) and MacBook Pro (which has more ports and power for those who need it). Retina screens all around, with the distinction being light weight and long battery life (MacBook) vs. more power and connectivity options at the expense of weight and less battery life (and of course a higher initial cost).

Finally, I won't be surprised at all to see the Mac Mini take on the innards of the MacBook in a smaller form factor, but still retain most of the ports of the current version Mini.
 
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If you're still whining about this laptop, please just stop. You're not going to buy one, you were never going to buy one, you're not the target market, and you're only embarrassing yourself by complaining about a product that is clearly aimed at someone else, and that is clearly selling.

Unbelievable.
 
Mac.User said:
I still do not understand the selling point of this device.

It is more pricey than an Air and slower. Sure but has a nice screen but if there is an Air revision then it's expected to have the ForceTouch and also a Retina display.

The 256GB 11in Air + 8GB RAM is $100 less and much faster, and if you want a bigger screen then the 256GB 13in Air + 8GB is the same price. Both giving you more ports, performance, and the same battery life(11in Air) or more (13in).

I know I'm probably going to be based but unless you REALLY need USB-C or REQUIRE Retina on a sub 13in device I do not get why you would buy the MacBook. I'm all ears as to why ANYONE thinks this is the perfect device for them over the Air, but I have not seen a single person make that statement.

I do admit the Space Grey is sexy though.
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Better screen, better keyboard, better build quality, better battery life, more futuristic IO, and its basically a "the future is now" concept for laptops.
 
ArtOfWarfare said:
I can't get any of the non-tech savvy people I know to update anything on their computer, OS or apps. They're highly resistant to change.
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And probably with good reason. No need to break what isn't broken in exchange for things they're not going to use (in most cases outside of security updates).
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poematik13 said:
...better battery life, more futuristic IO...
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lol
 
willydimes said:
what macbook did you end up getting, im essentially in the same position. Leaning towards just getting the 1.1
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If you don't need half a terabyte of storage, just save the $300 and get the 1.1 model. It'll perform just fine for you. (Says the guy who couldn't help himself and bought the 1.2..) :cool:
 
Mac.User said:
More the "I know exactly what yo uare talking about and you are completely exaggerating the issue argument.
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Again, when you are up against a weight limit, 1.5 lbs will make a difference in what you can bring. There's no exaggeration in that, it's just basic math.

Just because something works for you, in the situations you've found yourself in, doesn't mean it works for everyone else.
 
mattopotamus said:
See one in person and you will want it.

This is coming from someone with a brand new 2015 13" pro
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Did, and don't. It's pretty, yes (except the gold, which is gaudy to an extent I'd never have believed possible from Apple), but I didn't care for the keyboard and wasn't impressed with its weight as compared to the air.
 
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poematik13 said:
Better screen, better keyboard, better build quality, better battery life, more futuristic IO, and its basically a "the future is now" concept for laptops.
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Outside of "better screen" these are all debatable.
 
I was in the Apple Store looking at the watch I preordered and took a look at the new MacBook. I have a 15 inch MacBook Pro, which stays on my desk and an iPad Air 2 and light keyboard that travels with me. I have no need for the MacBook, ...but, it is the most beautiful notebook computer I have ever seen. It is so light it is hard to describe, the display is gorgeous, and the new trackpad really fun. I find myself thinking about it often, and have decided to buy one. I now have to figure out a use for it.
 
SD card?

Mac Fly (film) said:
This MacBook is going to be near perfect in ~4 years when it's fast, has two USB-C ports (one either side), is priced at $999 or less, comes in a 14" version with an SD card slot and has ~18 hours battery life. Yes, I'm aware you can always say this about a tech product, but this will be when I take the plunge on this machine, or sooner if it reaches those goals.
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I'm guessing they're going to move away from SD cards entirely. Their vision for the future is all data being wirelessly transmitted between various devices and adding an SD card is a step backwards for this vision.

If anything else, I'd guess they'll continue to reserve multiple USB-C ports and/or SD car slots for the 'pro' models (if they offer them at all)
 
Mac.User said:
I still do not understand the selling point of this device.

It is more pricey than an Air and slower. Sure but has a nice screen but if there is an Air revision then it's expected to have the ForceTouch and also a Retina display.

The 256GB 11in Air + 8GB RAM is $100 less and much faster, and if you want a bigger screen then the 256GB 13in Air + 8GB is the same price. Both giving you more ports, performance, and the same battery life(11in Air) or more (13in).

I know I'm probably going to be based but unless you REALLY need USB-C or REQUIRE Retina on a sub 13in device I do not get why you would buy the MacBook. I'm all ears as to why ANYONE thinks this is the perfect device for them over the Air, but I have not seen a single person make that statement.

I do admit the Space Grey is sexy though.
Click to expand...

the air is super cheap now, especially at microcenter. but my wife has an air and it's not exactly as portable as you'd think. you gain thinness and a loss of weight over a regular "laptop", but it won't fit in her purse, nor any case i've found smaller than 13". it's fairly light, but it's a tank compared to the new rmb. unless you're doing some really processor intensive stuff, there's no need for any more power than the rmb has to be honest. if power is needed, you'd obviously opt for the rmbp.

the rmb on the other hand, is LIGHT. really tiny and light. i picked up the 11" air, which is VERY close in size, and it felt like it was made out of lead after picking up the rmb. portability is what i need. most of my work is through view client or terminal + vpn, so power isn't needed and this tiny light little beast will be perfect. 11" air would be a close second with more power, but you sacrifice the real estate.

when deciding if a product is stupid or not, you have to consider the target audience. the rmb isn't designed for a graphic designer or developer who spends a lot of time compiling, or a video producer who's rendering a lot. those people get the pro for the crunching power. the rmb is for light productivity, which is 99% of what I do.

there are definitely some sacrifices and trade-offs, but for me, it's perfect.
 
I know this won't make a lick of difference, but here are some words to live by.

For those that are on the fence:

If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. -Ferris Bueller

For those wasting life away arguing for or against this product:

De gustibus non est disputandum
 
5errated said:
the rmb on the other hand, is LIGHT. really tiny and light. i picked up the 11" air, which is VERY close in size, and it felt like it was made out of lead after picking up the rmb.
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Gotta love how the air is suddenly a brick because there's a new kid on the block that weighs a couple of ounces less. The difference between them is .35 lbs. That's hardly noticeable. Let's get a grip here people.
 
QCassidy352 said:
Gotta love how the air is suddenly a brick because there's a new kid on the block that weighs a couple of ounces less. The difference between them is .35 lbs. That's hardly noticeable. Let's get a grip here people.
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It's more than noticeable. I'm not talking about putting them on a scale. I'm talking about picking them up and feeling them. One after another. The air feels like a tank after picking the air up.
 
This laptop seems excellent for a solo musician. Lightweight, compact, flashy, fast SSD drive... sounds like a great sound module! :D
 
For people that still don't get this Mac.

Computers have since forever been valued on performance. The reason you bought a new computer was to get better performance because even a 2-3 year old one was choking just doing the basic tasks. Since a couple of years this is not the case. A three year old computer with SSD and enough RAM will still perform very well on basic tasks.

This has put a focus shift in development of both the chips and finished products. Battery time, weight, size, better screen, better trackpad, new bluetooth standard, faster wifi etc are all things that have excelled in these three years. Some people still want and need faster CPU and for them there are a Pro line. But for the consumer there are a lot of other factors that are valuable, and more so than the CPU performance.

The thing with the single port is also a problem of the past in my opinion. I'm on a MBPr 13 and I can count the number of times I've used the ports on this macbook on the fingers on my left hand. I usually charge it during night and use it the evenings since this is my private laptop only.

  • I use a USB 3 disk connected to my Airport Extreme as a network disk and all my devices are 802.11ac so speed is great.
  • I Airplay to my Apple TV sometimes if I need a second screen for some things that I don't want to interact with.
  • I'm using Dropbox and iCloud to sync stuff. My photos are saved in iCloud photo library
  • I don't own any music files anymore since I'm a Spotify user since 2009 when it launched here in Sweden.
  • I watch movies on Netflix or rent and stream directly on ATV
  • I have fiber with 250Mbit internet connection so streaming and syncing things are not really a problem.

These things means that I never plug my iPhone or iPad into my Macbook. So despite all tech reviewers stating that a lot of adaptors are needed. No I wouldn't need a single one.

Since this Macbook is only a private laptop I don't do much work on it but I'm a web developer and sometimes I do some hobby programming. Even then performance is no problem at all. It's basically writing code in an editor, running some automated CSS/Javascript tasks for 5 seconds and pageload/debugging thats not more demanding than regular web browsing.

I guess that my usage is quite different than the people who don't get this Macbook. Trust me I've also owned big powerful computer towers and bought new computers based on performance. It's not the case anymore though. I've seen the future, I've moved on and it's much more beautiful here on the other side.
 
5errated said:
It's more than noticeable. I'm not talking about putting them on a scale. I'm talking about picking them up and feeling them. One after another. The air feels like a tank after picking the air up.
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A 4 oz difference makes the air feel like a tank? Hyperbole much? So what does the MacBook feel like after using an iPad??
 
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