Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

New iMac now or wait for Haswell Retina MacBook Pro?

AaronM5670

AaronM5670

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 19, 2012
603
163
Norwich, UK
I originally wanted a rMBP (when the Haswell upgrade comes out.)

I'm starting to question whether or not I need the portability, and if so whether it's worth the extra money or not.

Opinions wanted - I'd like one sooner rather than later although I could possibly wait until the end of October for the MBP refresh.

Is the iMac update enough or will it just be immediately superseded by a better model? :confused:
 
AaronM5670 said:
I originally wanted a rMBP (when the Haswell upgrade comes out.)

I'm starting to question whether or not I need the portability, and if so whether it's worth the extra money or not.

Opinions wanted - I'd like one sooner rather than later although I could possibly wait until the end of October for the MBP refresh.

Is the iMac update enough or will it just be immediately superseded by a better model? :confused:
Click to expand...

That's all the iMac is getting for now. So if you want it, now is the best time to buy.

But it's also a matter of whether you want portability. I could never consider an iMac.
 
I purchased my iMac in 2009, thinking that portability (and the inherent sacrifice in performance) was just not worth it.

Today, I can't wait to get a notebook, and I'm not looking back. If I ever get a desktop again, it'd be a Mac Pro. I don't want to be chained to a desk or office for work or play.

I'd recommend the notebook. The flexibility is just so convenient.
 
Just like everything else tech, next year the iMac will be superceded by superior tech. Whether you consider that immediate is subjective.

If you don't need portability, the iMac is much better value. It's both faster and cheaper.

To get the performance close to the iMac, you would basically need to buy the top-end rMBP.



All that said, my current Mac Pro is still one of the fast computers out there (despite being some 4 years old) let alone my iMac from last year!
 
So I tried the iMac out in the Apple Store (the late 2012 as the new ones hasn't arrived yet) and I thought it was OK. I'm just worried if I'll regret it I buy the iMac because even with my student discount it'll still cost > $3250, and I might like the MBP more.

I'm starting to think I might wait until the end of October ish to see what the new rMBP is like and then make a decision.

Do you all think I should do this or will it just mean the iMac is a couple months older and I end up paying for that - in time wasted and money (lost productivity).

My current 5 year old PC is on its last legs and I'm starting to worry I'll lose all my data when it eventually gives up the ghost.

I've been waiting for 4 years to get enough money together from my parents (I'm a high school student), so a couple more months wouldn't hurt I guess.
 
Two completley different animals. Most people don't cross-shop iMac's and MBP's
 
What is the power difference between the iMac's 3.5 ghz i7 and the rMBP's 2.8 ghz i7? Are they the same chips other than the clock speed?
 
Dude it's October now. Wait for the Retina if that is what you really want.
 
How do you cross-shop a 22lb desktop with a 4lb laptop?

You should know already if you need portability.

BTW- iMacs use desktop-class CPUs, but mobile GPUs.

MBPs use mobile CPUs and GPUs.
 
MatthewAMEL said:
How do you cross-shop a 22lb desktop with a 4lb laptop?

You should know already if you need portability.

BTW- iMacs use desktop-class CPUs, but mobile GPUs.

MBPs use mobile CPUs and GPUs.
Click to expand...

How much less powerful is a comparable quad core rMBP with an imac? Luos much difference does that mobile CPU make.
 
I really need my computer to be portable. Otherwise I always loved iMacs more than the macbook line.
 
AaronM5670 said:
...
My current 5 year old PC is on its last legs and I'm starting to worry I'll lose all my data when it eventually gives up the ghost.
...
Click to expand...
You should back up your system to an external drive.

PoppaKap said:
What is the power difference between the iMac's 3.5 ghz i7 and the rMBP's 2.8 ghz i7? Are they the same chips other than the clock speed?
Click to expand...
Different generation of processors, also desktop versus laptop processor.
 
What are you spec'ing the iMac at to make it > $3250? That's almost 3x what the base model is. Do you need that much power for whatever is you're doing?
 
Haswell rMBP is taking so long to be released, and there's no sign it will be introduced during the October 22nd event that soon I'll considering waiting for Broadwell!
 
2IS said:
Haswell rMBP is taking so long to be released, and there's no sign it will be introduced during the October 22nd event that soon I'll considering waiting for Broadwell!
Click to expand...

No sign? I'll raise you a Haswell rMBP in less than two weeks.
 
PDFierro said:
No sign? I'll raise you a Haswell rMBP in less than two weeks.
Click to expand...

The new MacBook well not be released in 2 weeks, there has been nothing in this regard not even a blimp or a wiper.

Everyone sitting on the fence waiting for a new MBP or RMBP should just go get what you want and enjoy it and be happy. 90% of the users never use a computer to its full potential in the 1st place.
 
I've seen it listed on a couple of rumor sites. And we're already through 1/3 of October, Apple will have to release a new model retina in time for the holiday buying season.

It's widely believed that Apple will release 10.9 on the 22nd, so they'll probably either release or announced haswell rMBP at the same time.
 
Don't get your hopes up about rMBP release on the 22nd. It's 100% based on rumors - just like the WWDC rMBP release.

I really wish people can differentiate between fact and fiction. Just because something is rumored to happen does not mean it will.
 
tecknik1 said:
The new MacBook well not be released in 2 weeks, there has been nothing in this regard not even a blimp or a wiper.

Everyone sitting on the fence waiting for a new MBP or RMBP should just go get what you want and enjoy it and be happy. 90% of the users never use a computer to its full potential in the 1st place.
Click to expand...

So I can feel free to come back to this post on the 22nd?
 
Serban said:
rumors about WWDC rMBp said that will be NOT on the event..
Click to expand...

Not this rumor?

Notebook Refresh to Be Highlight of WWDC, Non-Retina MacBook Pro to Continue?
Sunday April 28, 2013 6:07 am PDT by Eric Slivka
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has issued a new report forecasting that the product highlight of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which kicks off on June 10, will be the introduction of new models of the company's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines based on Intel's latest Haswell processors. The projection is in line with previous reports from Kuo and other sources, as well as recent claims that Apple will begin ramping up production of the new models in mid-May.


https://www.macrumors.com/2013/04/28/notebook-refresh-to-be-highlight-of-wwdc-non-retina-macbook-pro-to-continue/
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back